This interesting surname of Scottish origin is an Anglicized form of the Gaelic "Mac Gille Onchon", composed of the elements "mac" meaning son of "gille" servant of, plus "Onchu" an old Irish personal name meaning "mighty hound". Saint Onchu was a 6th Century Irish pilgrim and collector of holy relics. The surname is and was popular in Galloway. Other Anglicized form of the Gaelic name include M(a)cClannachan, M(a)cClanachan, M(a)cLanachan, M(a)cClanaghan, M(a)cClenaghan, etc.. The surname first appears on record in the early 16th Century (see below). Gilbert M'Clannochane appears in 1544-1545 as an occupant of the five mark lands of Craggis in the parish of Mochrum. Niniane M'Clennoghuhan was reidare at Partoun, and John M'Clanochane reidare at Vchiltrie, Ayrshire in 1574. On December 12th 1658, Johne, son of Andro McClanchan was christened at Ochiltree, Ayrshire. The marriage of James McLanachan and Agnes Hutchinson was held at Kilmarnock, Ayrshire on June 27th 1717. Peter, son of Peter and Agnes McLanachan, was christened at Barony, Lanarkshire, on October 17th 1790. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Dugall MakClennochguhen, which was dated 1513, "Criminal trials of Scotland", during the reign of King James 1V of Scotland, 1488 - 1513. 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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