McClure (surname) McClure (surname) McClure is a surname with several origins. One origin of the name is from the Scottish Gaelic "MacGilleUidhir", and Irish "Mac Giolla Uidhir", which probably mean "son of the pale one” or “son of the cold one.” Another origin of the name is from the Scottish Gaelic "MacGilleDheòradha", and the Irish "Mac Giolla Dheóradha", which mean "son of the servant of the pilgrim". In the Scottish clan system, McClures are a sept of Clan MacLeod of Dunvegan. Famously, an Irish king with the surname McClure threw and knocked out a fellow lad and commoners called a punch that
Poland (surname) the examples where the 'Mac' or 'Mc' has been dropped can be explained for several reasons. In English controlled areas of Ireland (especially around The Pale), it was declared that the Irish take on names in an English form and many were required to do so in order to do business with the powers that be, or to obtain a tenancy on English controlled land. Census takers were also allowed to use either form, with or without the Gaelic prefix. It also was not uncommon for the 'Mac' or 'Mc' prefix to simply be incorporated into the surname to result