MACCRACKAN, Maccracken, Maccrachen, Maccraken: An old Galloway surname. Various explanations have been given of the origin of this name, the most likely of which is that it is "nothing but a variant owing to the action of two well-known dialectal processes of the name Macnauchton," q.v, Settlements from Argyll into Galloway were made about the middle of the eighth century and later, and Watson has pointed out that with regard to dedications in Galloway that there was a close connection between this region and Kintyre. Blaan, Donnan, Faolan, Mochoe, Brigid, Columkille, are common to both districts and he adds "this is likely to be more than a coincidence" (1, p. 171,179). Michael Makcraken was a follower of the earl of Cassilis respited for murder, 1526 (RSS., I, 3386). Gilbert M'Crekane was burgess of Wigtown, and Michael M'Crekane notary public there, 1536, and burgess, 1546 (Laing, 408; RMS., IV, 80). John M'Crekane was vicar of Sorbie, 1536, notary public in Wigtown, 1539 (RMS., III, 1970), and commissary of Fames and Rennys, 1542-45 (ibid., 3163). John Makcrakane in Wigtoun had a respite for art and part of the breking of Adam Ahannay, 1540 (RSS., II, 3299). Neil Dow McCraikane in Achonacone was town officer of Wigtown, 1628 (RPC., II, p. 283). Dr. Henry Noble McCracken is president of Vassar College, Poughkeepsie, New York State. McCraccan, McKraken, and McKeracken 1684 (Parish), Makcarkan 1500, McCrekan 1564, McKrachin 1607; M'Craken, M'Crokane, M'Krekane. Macfarlane (Am Briathrachan beag) explains the name as from Gaelic MacFhraingein, 'son of Franklin.'