Surname McCollin - Meaning and Origin
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McCollin: What does the surname McCollin mean?
The surname McCollin is of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic 'mac Cuilinn', which means "son of Cuilinn". Cuilinn, in turn, is said to mean “holly” or “the holly tree”. It is thought to have originated in County Antrim, in the province of Ulster, Ireland.
The McCollin surname is closely associated with County Antrim, and several towns and villages in Ireland still bear its name. It is believed that the first recorded spelling of the family name was Gillet McColloin, in the year 1212, during the reign of King John of England. Clan members continued to share their surname throughout the centuries that followed.
Throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, many members of the McCollin family emigrated from County Antrim, Ireland to other parts of the world in search of a better life. Many of them settled in the United States, Canada, Australia, and other countries, and their descendants have carried their surname with them.
Today, the McCollin family is a vibrant and diverse one. Clan members come from different backgrounds, nationalities, and countries, each bringing their own unique experiences and histories to the family name. What remains the same is the deep love and pride they feel for their Irish heritage. The McCollin family may have scattered around the world, but their history and legacy will always remain inextricably linked to Ireland.
Order DNA origin analysisMcCollin: Where does the name McCollin come from?
The last name McCollin is generally considered to be of Irish origin. It is most commonly found in the Northern Ireland regions of County Antrim and County Down. The surname is derived from the old Irish Gaelic name "Mac Conghaile", which is believed to have come from a Clan Chief - Conghal.
Given its Irish origin, McCollin is also found in locations around the world with connections to the Irish diaspora, such as Great Britain, North America, Australia, and New Zealand. In the United States, notable concentrations of McCollins are found in Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia. Other research also suggests that the last name is found in Ireland's closest neighbors such as Wales, where researchers have found records of the Irish family with the last name “McColline” in the 19th century.
In general, the frequency of the surname appears to be more focused in the above-mentioned countries. Currently, McCollin is not considered to be a popular surname, and it does not show up as one of the United Kingdom's 100 most common surnames. Currently, the most common surnames derived from the Mac Conghaile root are McCollum, McColly, McCollin, and MacCollin.
Variations of the surname McCollin
McCollin is an Irish surname originating in County Mayo, a county in the Republic of Ireland. It is derived from the Gaelic Mac Giolla Fhionnain, which means “son of the blond servant”. Variants of the surname are McCollan, MacColin, MacCollin, and MacGillan. In some cases, the name has been Anglicised to Collin or Collins.
Various spellings of McCollin include McCollin, McCollon, MacCollin, MacColin, MacGillan, McCollan, Collin, and Collins.
McCollin is considered a sept of the great Uí Fiachrach dynasty. It is believed that the surname was brought from Wales to Ireland in the 12th century by the descendants of the noble Knight, Robert de La Haye, whose father had received land in Mayo from Henry II in 1149.
Today, the McCollin surname can be found mostly in Ireland, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
Overall, this surname has remained popular around the world and there is a strong sense of shared ancestry among families who bear the name. In particular, those who live in Mayo still honour their Scottish-Irish roots.
Famous people with the name McCollin
- Sean McCollin: American actor, screenwriter, and producer
- Keith McCollin: Baron McCollin of Craigavon, Member of the House of Lords
- Sam McCollin: Canadian ice hockey player
- Brian McCollin: British theologian and ordained minister
- Kevin McCollin: Irish actor and television presenter
- Lockhart McCollin: Canadian Olympic Silver Medalist in boxing
- Brendan McCollin: American soccer midfielder
- Richard McCollin: British politician and Member of Parliament
- Jonathan McCollin: New Zealand rugby player
- Laura McCollin: British meteorologist and weather presenter