MacLeod facts for kids

The names MacLeod, McLeod, and Macleod (pronounced /məˈklaʊd/ or "mə-KLOWD") are common surnames in the English language. These names are English versions, or "anglicised" forms, of the Scottish Gaelic name MacLeòid. This means "son of Leòd." The name Leòd comes from an Old Norse word, Liótr, which meant "ugly."

One of the earliest times the surname appeared was in 1227. This was with a person named Gillandres MacLeod. There are two well-known Scottish clans (large family groups) with this surname. These are Clan MacLeod of Harris and Skye. The other is Clan MacLeod of Lewis and Raasay. These families started using a form of the MacLeod surname around the mid-1300s.

In Canada, Scottish missionaries sometimes used McLeod as an English version of an Indigenous Cree language name. This Cree name was Mahkiyoc, which means "the big one." This is why some Canadian people of Cree heritage have the McLeod surname.

People with the MacLeod Surname

Many people throughout history have carried the MacLeod, McLeod, or Macleod surname. Here are some notable examples:

Famous People Named MacLeod

• Alan Arnett McLeod (1899–1918), a Canadian who received the Victoria Cross for bravery.
• Alistair MacLeod (1936–2014), a well-known Canadian author.
• Ally MacLeod (1931–2004), a Scottish football player and manager. He also managed the Scotland national team.
• Andrew McLeod (born 1976), an Australian Rules footballer.
• Charlotte MacLeod (1922–2005), a Canadian writer famous for mystery novels.
• Cody McLeod (born 1984), a Canadian professional ice hockey player.
• Colin MacLeod (1909–1972), a Canadian-American geneticist.
• Cynthia H. McLeod (born 1936), a novelist from Suriname.
• Dave MacLeod (born 1978), a Scottish rock climber known for difficult climbs.
• Donald Friell McLeod (1810–1872), a British Lieutenant-Governor of Punjab.
• Erin McLeod (born 1983), a Canadian soccer player.
• Fred McLeod (golfer) (1882–1976), a Scottish-American golfer.
• Gavin MacLeod (1930–2021), a famous American actor.
• George MacLeod (1895–1991), a Scottish church leader who founded the Iona Community.
• Henry Dunning Macleod (1821–1902), a Scottish economist.
• Hugh McLeod (rugby union) (1932–2014), a Scottish rugby player.
• Iain Norman Macleod (1913–1970), a British politician.
• Ian R. MacLeod (born 1956), a British science fiction and fantasy author.
• Izale McLeod (born 1984), a British footballer.
• James Macleod (1836–1894), a Scottish-Canadian pioneer and RCMP commissioner.
• Jenny McLeod (born 1941), a New Zealand composer.
• Joan MacLeod (born 1954), a Canadian playwright.
• John MacLeod (basketball) (1937–2019), an American basketball coach.
• John James Rickard Macleod (1876–1935), a Scottish biochemist. He helped discover insulin.
• Joseph Macleod (1903–1984), a British poet, actor, and BBC newsreader.
• Karen MacLeod (1958–2021), a British long-distance runner.
• Keith McLeod (born 1979), an American basketball player.
• Ken MacLeod (born 1954), a Scottish science fiction writer.
• Kevin MacLeod (born 1972), an American composer.
• Kevin S. MacLeod (born 1951), the Canadian Secretary to the Queen of Canada.
• Kiel McLeod (born 1982), a Canadian ice hockey player.
• Lyn McLeod (born 1942), a Canadian politician from Ontario.
• Mary MacLeod Trump (1912–2000), a Scottish-American philanthropist.
• Mary McLeod Bethune (1875–1955), a notable American educator.
• Mata Hari (1876-1917), whose real name was Margaretha Geertruida MacLeod. She was a famous dancer.
• Mike McLeod (athlete) (born 1952), an English long-distance runner.
• Neil McLeod (politician) (1842–1915), a Canadian politician from Prince Edward Island.
• Norman Z. McLeod (1898–1964), a film director.
• Omar McLeod (born 1994), a Jamaican hurdler.
• Rodney McLeod (born 1990), an American football player.
• Rory McLeod (snooker player) (born 1971), an English professional snooker player.
• Sarah McLeod (musician) (born 1971), an Australian singer.
• Sheila MacLeod (born 1939), a Scottish author.
• Stuart Macleod (magician) (born 1982), a Scottish magician.
• Sian MacLeod (born 1962), a British ambassador.

People with the Given Name Macleod

Sometimes, MacLeod, McLeod, or Macleod can also be a first name.

• McLeod Bethel-Thompson (born 1988), an American football player.
• Norman Macleod Ferrers (1829–1903), a British mathematician.
• Norman MacLeod Lang (1875–1956), a Bishop of Leicester.

Fictional Characters with the MacLeod Surname

The MacLeod surname is also popular in books, movies, and TV shows.

• Atholl MacLeod, from The Fairies Saga books.
• Claire McLeod, from the Australian TV show McLeod's Daughters.
• Colin MacLeod, from the animated movie Highlander: Vengeance.
• Connor MacLeod, a main character from the Highlander films and TV series.
• Duncan MacLeod, another main character from the Highlander films and TV series.
• Fergus MacLeod, the real name of Crowley from the TV show Supernatural.
• Jodi Fountain McLeod, from the Australian TV show McLeod's Daughters.
• Justin McLeod, from the film The Man Without a Face.
• Owen MacLeod, from the Highlander video game.
• Quentin MacLeod, from Highlander the animated series.
• Rowena MacLeod, Crowley's mother, from the TV show Supernatural.
• Sarah MacLeod, from Highlander: The Animated Series.
• Tess Silverman McLeod Ryan, from the Australian TV show McLeod's Daughters.

Similar Names

• McCloud (surname)