Surname MacPolin - Meaning and Origin
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MacPolin: What does the surname MacPolin mean?
The last name MacPolin is a variant of the Irish surname Mac Póilín, derived from the Gaelic words ‘mac’, meaning ‘son’, and ‘póilín’, meaning ‘little’. It is most common in Ireland’s counties Cork and Limerick, where it is usually found as MacPowell.
MacPolin families most likely descend from Irish chieftains known as the O’ D"inneen clan, who were based in the 15th century in what is now Co. Cork. They held lands near the town of Cromane, where the family’s fortunes evolved for centuries.
The MacPolins were a major presence in the Cork region since the 1500s and were one of the few English-speaking families to remain in the area during the Cromwellian and Williamite wars. The family established a number of notable businesses in Mid Cork, including flour and whisky mills.
Today, the MacPolin name has spread across the world. This is a testament to the number of MacPolin families who settled in the Americas, as well as Australia and New Zealand, during the 19th and 20th centuries. The Irish diaspora has ensured this unique last name has survived in all corners of the globe, including the United States, Canada, England, and Scotland.
Order DNA origin analysisMacPolin: Where does the name MacPolin come from?
The last name MacPolin is most commonly found in Ireland within the province of Leinster, particularly in Counties Carlow, Offaly, Kildare and Laois. MacPolin is an anglicized form of the Gaelic-Irish name MacPolin which is derived from the Gaelic words Mac, meaning “son of,” and Polin, the name of a 9th-century King of Leinster and a clan ancestor. The name may also be spelled MacFoolin, MacPoolin, MacFullen, and MacFolen.
The surname is most likely of Norman origin, being first adopted into the local Irish culture in the wake of the Norman invasion of Ireland in 1169. The name is related to similar surnames such as MacPhelan, MacPhail and MacPhalan. The MacPolins may have resided in the region known as Clan Uairreach in County Laois during the 13th century, and in 1584 the name was listed as a title in the Offaly Barony.
Today, MacPolin is not a particularly common name in Ireland, but it is likely that descendants still live in the areas near where the original families first settled. Because of the Irish diaspora, some MacPolins may be found in English-speaking countries, including the United States, Canada, and Australia, where people of Irish descent have settled.
Variations of the surname MacPolin
MacPolin is a Scottish surname found in Ayrshire first appearing towards the end of the 16th Century. It is a patronymic name derived from the Gaelic MacPhailin, meaning “son of Little Paul” from the root words Mac, which means “son”, and Phailin coupled with the diminutive “little”.
The variants, spellings and surnames of MacPolin are MacFalin, MacPhalling, MacFallan, MacFallon, McFallon, MacPhaulin, MacPaullin and MacFallon.
The surname is also found in Northern Ireland where it also originates from a Gaelic ancestor, with additional spellings and variants such as MacPhailin and McFaolin.
Other variants, spellings and surnames of MacPolin include MacPhailen, MacPhillen, MacFellen, MacFollin, MacPhollan, McFolly and MacFollan.
MacPolin is still a popular surname in Scotland today. Some notable figures bearing this name include the artist Eve MacPolin, the footballer Rab MacPolin, the rugby union trainer Dougie MacPolin and the basketball player Robert MacPolon.
Finally, the variant spellings of the name, such as MacFaolin and MacFellon, are still in use today, although the spelling MacPolin remains predominant.
Famous people with the name MacPolin
- Sir Sean MacPolin: a renowned actor from Ireland, best known for his roles in 'Schindler's list' and 'Braveheart'.
- Émilie MacPolin: Canadian professional volleyball player who has competed for the Canadian national team since 2011.
- John MacPolin: Scottish international rugby union player who plays for Glasgow Warriors.
- David MacPolin: American former Major League Baseball infielder who played for the Cincinnati Reds and the Colorado Rockies in the mid-1990s.
- Patricia MacPolin: prominent Canadian philanthropist and the founder of the MacPolin Foundation, which works to promote charities and projects in medical research, education, and the arts.
- Jane MacPolin: prominent English entrepreneur and film producer, who founded the independent film studio McPolin Productions in 2006.
- Michael MacPolin: American jazz guitarist, songwriter, and record producer who has helped define modern jazz with his distinct sound and artistry.
- Arthur MacPolin: Canadian lawyer and politician, who was mayor of Ottawa from 1999 to 2006.
- Gemma MacPolin: Northern Irish professional tennis player, whose career-high world ranking of 22 was achieved in 2011.
- Ryan MacPolin: Canadian professional ice hockey player and the captain of the Vancouver Canucks.