Last Name Buchanan

Learn more about the origin of the last name Buchanan

The meaning and origin of the last name Buchanan

The surname Buchanan is of Scottish origin, specifically associated with the Lowlands region. It derives from the Gaelic "Bochanan" which means "the place of the stream or brook by the little flat place". The name was originally borne by a family that resided in the area around the village of Bothkennar, Stirling, where a stream and a small flat piece of land were located near each other. Over time, migrants bearing this name spread throughout Scotland and later to other countries, particularly during the Highland Clearances when many Scots emigrated to North America. The Buchanan clan was traditionally associated with the Camelian branch of the Scottish Highlands, although there are many families bearing the name who are not directly related to this lineage.

Geographical distribution of the last name Buchanan

The surname Buchanan is predominantly found in Scotland and Ireland, reflecting its historical origins from these regions. In Scotland, it's particularly concentrated in the Scottish Lowlands, with notable clusters in areas such as Lanarkshire, Ayrshire, and Perthshire. This name is also associated with the powerful Buchanan clan, one of the largest clans in Scotland. In Ireland, Buchanan is often found in Ulster, a province with strong historical connections to Scotland due to plantations during the 17th century. Today, significant populations carrying this surname can be found in the United States and Canada, where many Scottish and Irish immigrants settled, particularly during the 19th and early 20th centuries. The name Buchanan is also present, albeit less frequently, in England, Wales, and other parts of the world due to migration and assimilation over time.

Variants and spellings of the last name Buchanan

The surname Buchanan has various spellings and variants due to differences in transcription and regional pronunciation over time. Some common spelling variations include Buchanon, Buchannan, Buchinan, Buchinanon, Buchynan, Buccanan, Buccanon, Bukhanan, Bukkhanan, and Bucanan. These variations may also appear with slight differences in capitalization, such as BuchaNan, BuchAnan, or BuchAnan. Additionally, some families may have different regional spellings based on their origin; for instance, Scottish clans bearing the name often use MacBhuidhechán, Gaelic for "son of the little black-haired one." It is important to note that these variations do not necessarily indicate a different family or lineage, as they can result from the same ancestry adapting to local pronunciation and recording practices.

Famous people with the last name Buchanan

The Buchanan family has produced several notable figures across various fields. James Buchanan, born in 1791, was the 15th President of the United States, serving from 1857 to 1861, during a contentious period marked by the escalation of the American Civil War. Another prominent figure is Patrick J. Buchanan, an American journalist, political commentator, and five-time candidate for the presidency of the United States as a Reform Party member in 2000 and as a Constitutional Party nominee in 1992, 1996, and 2008. In literature, Zoë Keating, born Zoë Sophie Buchanan-Dunsmore, is a Canadian cellist and composer who uses technology to create her unique style of music. Lastly, Flora MacDonald Dennis Buchanan-Hepburn, the Duchess of Argyll, was a Scottish aristocrat who gained notoriety for her role in the Jacobite cause, helping Bonnie Prince Charlie escape following the Battle of Culloden in 1746.

Genealogical research on the last name Buchanan

The Buchanan clan is an ancient Scottish family with origins traced back to Gaelic-speaking Scotland during the Early Middle Ages. They are believed to have descended from Buceannach, a High King of Alba, around the 6th century AD. The first recorded member of the Buchanan family was Adam de Buchanan in the 12th century. The clan's history is intertwined with that of the Stewart and Bruce royal families. Notable figures from the Buchanan lineage include Thomas Buchanan, Lord Provost of Glasgow during the Industrial Revolution, and James Buchanan, the 15th President of the United States. The family spread across Scotland and later to North America, particularly Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Georgia, due to emigration during the 17th and 18th centuries. Today, descendants of the Buchanan clan can be found worldwide, especially in Scotland, the United Kingdom, Canada, the United States, Australia, and New Zealand.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "Buchanan"
• Global distribution of the surname on Forebears.io
• Wikipedia Article

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NomOrigine Team
Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.
Last updated : 10 June 2025