Surname McLoughlin - Meaning and Origin
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Unraveling my Irish Heritage: A Journey through Time with the McLoughlin Surname
I recently undertook an iGENEA DNA test that unveiled the intriguing story of my cultural heritage. The test painted a captivating narrative of my forefathers, rooted in the rich history and culture of Ireland. The Paternal lineage tracing back to the McLoughlin surname has offered insights into the implications of historical events, migrations, and cultural exchanges that shaped my ancestry.
M. McLoughlin
read moreMcLoughlin: What does the surname McLoughlin mean?
The last name McLoughlin is an ancient Irish surname of Gaelic origin. The surname comes from the Gaelic MacLochlain, meaning “son of Lochlon.” This is an old Irish name derived from the name of an ancestor, which was a combination of two elements – Pre-Gaelic Lug meaning “star” or “hero” and the suffix Mac, meaning “son of”.
The McLoughlins were once located in counties Cork and Galway and later were dispersed mainly to the counties of Clare, Kerry and Limerick. The name was common among the natives in these areas and also in other areas of Ireland.
McLoughlin is an adopted version of the Irish name, with the variant forms including McLaughlin, McLoughlan, and MacLoughlan. This name is found particularly in the north of Ireland, where it is the leading form of the surname.
This surname is also spelled in different variations, including MacLauchlan, McLauchlin, and MacLaughlin. It is a popular name in the United States and Canada as well.
People with the McLoughlin last name can be proud to know that their ancestors were living in Ireland prior to the Norman invasion in 1171. It is believed that the McLoughlin family hails from the ancient line of the Kings of Ireland.
Today, McLoughlin is a relatively common surname and many descendants of this ancient name now inhabit countries all around the world.
Order DNA origin analysisMcLoughlin: Where does the name McLoughlin come from?
The surname McLoughlin is most commonly found in Ireland, the UK, and other countries with a heavy Irish population, such as the US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. It is derived from the old Gaelic 'Mac Lochlainn', meaning son of Lochlainn. Historically, the McLoughlin name has been primarily associated with the counties of Mayo and Galway in rural western Ireland.
In modern times, the surname has spread far and wide with the advent of emigration. In America, the highest concentration of McLoughlin's is located in Massachusetts and New York. In Canada, the name is widely adopted in the provinces of Ontario and Quebec.
In the UK, the name is most common in England, with clusters in London, Manchester, and Liverpool. Notably, a monumental St. Patrick's church bearing the McLoughlin name was built in Liverpool in the early eighteenth century.
The McLoughlin name is also found in Australia and New Zealand, where immigrants first arrived in the 1800s during the Australian gold rush. In both countries, the name is particularly concentrated in areas such as Melbourne, Sydney, Auckland, and Christchurch.
Overall, the McLoughlin surname continues to be fairly widespread throughout the world, but it will forever be associated with its ancestral homeland of Ireland.
Variations of the surname McLoughlin
The surnames McLoughlin and McLaughlin are both of Irish origin and they are variants of the same name. They are often used interchangeably though the spelling McLoughlin is more common. The root of the name is the Irish name 'Mac Lochlainn', which means "son of Lochlann”. It is derived from the Gaelic ‘lochlann’, which relates to the region of Lochlann, which is now known as Scandinavia.
Other variants of the name include: MacLoughlin, MacLaughlin, Loughlin, Laughlin, McLoughlan, McLauchlan, Lokillan, Lochlan, O’Laughlin, and O’Loughlin.
In terms of ancestry, people with the surname McLoughlin can trace their roots to the McLoughlins of County Mayo in Ireland. There are several branches of the McLoughlin family which are spread throughout Scotland, England, and many parts of North America.
Though the McLoughlin variant is more common, both spellings are widely recognised as valid versions of the same surname. As a result, there is no real need to change the spelling unless the specific bearer of the name desires to do so.
Famous people with the name McLoughlin
- Brendan McLoughlin: a celebrity police officer and model who gained fame after marrying singer and actress Miranda Lambert.
- John McLoughlin: an American pioneer, fur trader and founder of Oregon City, known as the “Father of Oregon.”
- Brian McLoughlin: a former professional soccer player from Dublin who played for clubs in Scotland and the United States
- Michael McLoughlin: Irish comedian who has performed in several television shows, including Moone Boy and The Savage Eye.
- Richard McLoughlin: a former professional tennis player from the U.K., who reached the quarterfinals of the 1978 French Open.
- J.J. McLoughlin: an American racing driver who competed in the NASCAR Nationwide Series and the Camping World Truck Series.
- Brian P. McLoughlin: a Canadian actor and producer recognized for his role in the series The Salem Witch Trials.
- William McLoughlin: Australian international rugby union player.
- Kevin McLoughlin: Irish Gaelic footballer.
- Charlie McLoughlin: English comedy actor and writer best known for playing Max in the series Catastrophe.