This interesting name is a variant of MacGrane, which is the Anglicized form of the Gaelic name "MagRaighne", composed of "Mag", a form of "Mac", son of, and the personal name "Rayny", a pet form of Raghnall or Reginald. "MagRaighne" itself is a Leinster name and is also, according to one source, an Old Galloway Scottish name. The form Magrane is found mainly in Counties Dublin and Louth. Other variants of the name include Greaney, found in South-West Munster, Graney and even Granny, which is widespread in Counties Donegal and Derry. As O'Granie and O'Grane appear in the Co. Cork 16th Century Fiants. A pardon was granted to one Johanne MacGrane of Shepe Grange, Co. Louth, wife of Richard Cardife, according to Fiants records of 1559. As MacGran the name appears in the Hearth Money Rolls of Co. Tyrone in 1664. Patrick Magrane married Mary Poe on March 8th 1794 at Cloghran, Swords in Dublin, while one John Megran married Elizabeth Huston in Belfast, Co. Antrim, on March 11th 1818. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Rawenyld O'Grayne, which was dated 1313, charged with aiding a convicted robber in the "Justiciary Rolls Records", during the reign of King Edward 11, known as "Edward of Caernafon", 1307 - 1327. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.

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