The Origin and History of the Surname McClure
McClure is a surname of Scottish origin. It is an anglicized form of the Gaelic name MacGilleChruim, which means "son of the follower of the cross." The name is derived from the Gaelic words "mac" meaning "son," "Gille" meaning "follower," and "Chruim" meaning "cross."
In Scotland, the name McClure was originally found in the counties of Aberdeenshire, Angus, and Kincardineshire, where it was used as a patronymic surname indicating that the bearer was the son of someone who followed the cross. Over time, the name was adapted and became a fixed surname in its own right, with variations such as McClure, McClelland, and MacLellan being found in different parts of Scotland.
Today, the name McClure is found throughout the world, with people of Scottish descent bearing the name in countries such as Canada, the United States, Australia, and New Zealand.