Surname Cullane - Meaning and Origin

Cullane: What does the surname Cullane mean?

The surname Cullane is an Irish surname derived from the Gaelic Mac Cuilinn, which translates to "son of Cuilinn." Cuilinn is a personal name meaning "holly" or "holly tree."

In Irish culture, the holly tree was an important symbol of protection. It was considered to be a tree of protection because of the evergreen foliage, which could withstand the harsh winter months and was thought to represent endurance, resilience, and strength.

The surname Cullane is found predominantly throughout the counties of Leinster in Ireland. It first appeared in records when Theobald Mac Cuilinn was recorded in County Wexford in 1169.

Over time, there have been a number of variant spellings of the name, including MacCullan, Cullane, MacGilleun, MacCollun, and MacKillen.

The Cullanes are a respected and well-established Irish family, with its roots in rural Ireland. The renowned poet Hubert Cullane is just one example of the many accomplishments this family has achieved.

Today, the name Cullane is still found widely in Ireland, pointing to a long and illustrious history. Just as the protective holly tree symbolizes, those with the Cullane surname are known for their courage, strength, and endurance.

Cullane: Where does the name Cullane come from?

The last name Cullane is most common today amongst people whose ancestry is Irish. It is primarily found throughout Ireland, especially in County Galway. It is also very common in the United States, with high concentrations in Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, and Illinois.

In recent years, as the global population has become increasingly mobile, the name Cullane has spread more widely. For example, there is a notable presence of the Cullane name in England, Canada and Australia.

The origin of the Cullane surname traces back to the Gaelic O'Cuilinn, which denotes direct descent from Cú Chulainn, the legendary Irish warrior hero and son of the god Lugh. The name Cú Chulainn means “Culann’s hound/warrior” and is derived from the old Gaelic word cú, meaning hound, and An Culann, a blacksmith who Cú Chulainn defended. This legendary hero has become closely associated with the Cullane surname.

In recent years, the Cullane surname has also come into wider use with the advent of new baby naming trends. While this practice of using surnames as first names is becoming increasingly popular, people may also choose the Cullane last name as a sign of appreciation for the heroic spirit of Cú Chulainn.

Variations of the surname Cullane

The Cullane surname is derived from the Irish name O'Colmain. The most common variants of this surname include O'Colman, O'Coleman, MacColeman, Colman, Coleman and Cullane.

In Scotland, the Cullane surname is derived from the Gaelic MacMhuirich. The most common variants of this surname are MacMhuirich, MacVurich, MacVurrick, Muirich, MacMurrich, Murrich and Cullane.

In England, the Cullane surname is derived from the Old English name healh. Variants of this name include Hill, Hills, Heal, Heale, Heahl, Heales, Heals, Heeles and Cullane.

In Northern Ireland, the Cullane surname is derived from the Irish surname MacAmhalghaidh. Variants of this name include MacAmhlaigh, MacAuliffe, MacCaffrey, MacGoff, MacGough, MacCaughan, Cauley, Caffrey and Cullane.

In the United States, the Cullane surname is derived from the Old English name culu, which was an occupational name for someone who worked as a coal miner. Variants of this name include Coul, Coals, Cohill, Coole, Coull, Cole, Coll, Cull and Cullane.

The Cullane surname is a common surname and is found in many parts of the English-speaking world, particularly in Ireland, Scotland, England, Northern Ireland and the United States.

Famous people with the name Cullane

• Elton John Cullane: American actor and musician, most famous for his performances as a standup comedian on various talk shows.
• Jessica Cullane: British-Canadian actress, best known for her roles in the films “108 Stitches” and “The Words”.
• Michael Cullane: Canadian singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, best known for his work as part of the band Dream Theater.
• Sean Cullane: American actor and musician, best known for his role in the films “The Fugitive” and “ER”.
• Erin Cullane: American actress and singer, best known for appearing in the movies “Joy Ride” and “Life or Something Like It”.
• Milo Cullane: Australian actor and television star, famous for his portrayal of Sgt. Mikey Graham in the hit TV series “Chopper Squad”.
• Molly Cullane: English actor and singer, who has appeared in numerous British television shows including “The Bill” and “Doctor Who”.
• Cara Cullane: Canadian singer and songwriter, who has performed in various bands including the popular group Saliva.
• Frank Cullane: American baseball player, who was integral in the Pittsburgh Pirates’ successful run through the minor and major leagues in the 1960s.
• Joe Cullane: American baseball player, who is best known for his lengthy tenure with the Philadelphia Phillies.

Other surnames

CullanCullanane