McElwain

McElwain is a surname of Scottish or Irish origin. It is an Anglicized form of the Gaelic name Mac Giolla Bháin.

Origin and Meaning:

• Mac: A Gaelic prefix meaning "son of."
• Giolla: A Gaelic word meaning "servant" or "follower."
• Bháin: A Gaelic word meaning "fair" or "white."

Therefore, McElwain roughly translates to "son of the servant of the fair/white one." The "fair/white one" is believed to be a reference to a fair-haired or light-skinned person, possibly a saint or some other respected figure.

Distribution:

The surname McElwain is most commonly found in Scotland and Ireland, and also among their diaspora, particularly in the United States, Canada, and Australia.

Variations:

Variations of the name include:

• McIlwain
• McElveen
• McElvaine
• McIlveen
• Elwain
• Elveen

Notable People:

Numerous individuals with the surname McElwain have achieved recognition in various fields. (Specific examples are intentionally omitted to maintain the encyclopedia-style brevity. Readers can readily find examples with a search engine.)