Skip to main content

Updated June 9, 2019

Family name origins & meanings

  • Scottish and northern Irish : Anglicized form of Gaelic Mac Pharthaláin, a patronymic from the personal name Parthalán, which is most probably from Latin Bartholomaeus (see Bartholomew).
  • McFarlane is one of the most important Scottish clans, originally associated with Arrochar on Loch Long. Robert McFarlane came to NY in 1835 and was editor of Scientific American magazine (1848–65.

Subscribe to Family Education

Your partner in parenting from baby name inspiration to college planning.

Subscribe