Surname McMulland - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'M'
McMulland: What does the surname McMulland mean?
The last name McMulland is of Irish origin and is derived from the Gaelic surname "Mac Maoláin." The prefix "Mac" translates to "son of" while "Maoláin" is a personal name which means "bald." Therefore, McMulland can be interpreted as "son of the bald one." This does not necessarily mean that the person is bald, but could simply denote a family or regional characteristic or nickname that carried on as a surname. It is important to note that there may be variations in the spelling of the name due to various historical and regional influences. As with many Irish surnames, McMulland may also carry connotations of family history, ancestry, or clan affiliations. Such names were often used in the Middle Ages to distinguish people who otherwise shared a common first name. This gave rise to a multitude of surnames that have been passed down through generations and carry rich historical and cultural significance.
Order DNA origin analysisMcMulland: Where does the name McMulland come from?
The surname McMulland is of Scottish origin, derived from the Gaelic MacMhaolain which translates to "son of the tonsured one," or "son of the servant or devotee." The tonsure was a specific kind of religious haircut and this seems to suggest that the first person with this name was the son of a religious devotee in early medieval Scotland. Like many other surnames with the "Mc" or "Mac" prefix, it indicates a patronymic naming tradition.
Despite its origin in Scotland, accurate data on its present-day concentration is not readily available. However, like many Scottish surnames, it may be found in countries such as the United States, Canada, and Australia, where Scottish immigrants historically settled. Due to various social and economic factors, surnames can spread and shift over time. People of Scottish descent scattered across these English-speaking nations may still carry the surname. It's worth noting that the surname might be subject to variations in spelling like McMullan, McMullen, or MacMullen.
Variations of the surname McMulland
The surname McMulland is of Irish origin and may have several variants and spellings including McMullan, McMullen, MacMullin, MacMullen, MacMullan, and McMullin. Some other variations might be McMillan, MacMillan, McMillen, and MacMillen, which although similar in spelling and pronunciation, originate from Scotland. It's essential to note that these variations existed mainly due to the Anglicization of Gaelic names. Therefore, disparities can be seen over time and regionally, due to different phonetic interpretations and spellings through history.
The origin of the surname McMulland comes from the old Gaelic MacMaolain, which loosely translates to 'son of the tonsured one', from 'maol' meaning bald, and the suffix '-ain', which means little. This hints at an ecclesiastical beginning, suggesting the earliest holders of this surname may have been monks or disciples of a religious figure.
As with many Irish and Scottish surnames, prefixes such as 'Mac' or 'Mc' can often be interchanged or dropped completely, making the surnames Mullen and Mullin also possible variants. Similarly, Friel and O'Friel could be considered related in certain cases due to regional usage.
Famous people with the name McMulland
- Kyle McMullan: Professional ice hockey player for the Vegas Golden Knights and former Washington Capitals.
- Jay McMullen: Award-winning sports reporter and announcer, mainly in Michigan.
- Cornelius McMullen: Gold medal winning UK sprinter in the 100 metres at the 2014 Commonwealth Games.
- Laura McMulland: Broadway star, stage, film, and television actress.
- Jim McMullen: Canadian jazzer who was a member of the Juno Award winning band Name the Moment.
- D. J. McMullen: Award-winning contemporary Christian singer and songwriter from Indiana.
- Alexandra McMullen: Canadian artist best known for her contemporary photography and mixed media installations.
- Sharlene McMullen-Schultz: American swimmer who won gold medals at both the Pan American and World Championships in 2000.
- Kelly McMullen: Former Olympic swimmer and medalist, representing Australia in the 1992 Barcelona Olympics.
- David McMullen: Canadian rower and back-to-back Olympic silver medalist from 1992 and 1996.