Surname McMullen - Meaning and Origin
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McMullen: What does the surname McMullen mean?
The surname McMullen is of Scottish and Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic Mac Maoláin. The prefix 'Mac' or 'Mc' typically means 'son of', while 'Maolán' is an old Gaelic personal name. 'Maol' refers to the tonsure of monks, indicating that the original bearer of the name was a devotee or servant of Saint Maolán, an early Irish saint. Hence, McMullen essentially would mean 'son of the devotee of St. Maolán'. It's primarily associated with the regions of Ulster and Connacht in Ireland. However, as with many surnames, there would have been multiple distinct lineages that adopted the same name over the centuries, so not all persons with the surname McMullen would necessarily share the same ancestry. Variations of spelling for this surname may also include MacMullan, McMullan, McMillan, MacMillan and others. Today, people bearing this surname can be found in Ireland, Scotland, and in countries of the Irish and Scottish diaspora such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
Order DNA origin analysisMcMullen: Where does the name McMullen come from?
The surname McMullen is of Scottish and Irish origin. It is an anglicized form of the Gaelic name "Mac Maoláin," which is derived from a patronymic form of a personal name meaning "tonsured one" or "devotee". It is thought to have originated in the region of Argyll and Bute, in Western Scotland.
In the early 17th century, many people with the McMullen name were displaced from Scotland to Ireland during the Plantation of Ulster, an organized colonization initiated by King James I. Therefore, the surname is common in both Scotland and Ireland, but perhaps more prevalent in Northern Ireland owing to history.
Today, the McMullen name is spread around the world due to immigration from Scotland and Ireland over recent centuries. It is especially common in countries like the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. In the United States, McMullen is most common in states like California, Texas, Pennsylvania, Florida, and Ohio. Despite its worldwide spread, the name remains particularly common in Scotland and Ireland.
Variations of the surname McMullen
The surname McMullen originates from the Gaelic name Mac Maoláin, which means "son of the tonsured or bald one." Over time, the surname has been anglicized and diversified into different spellings depending on the regions where the descendants live or migrated. This has resulted in several variants of the surname.
Common variations include McMullan, MacMullen, McMullin, McMillan, MacMillan, McMillen and MacMillin. These are all based on the original Gaelic translation. Different branches of the family might have changed the spelling slightly to distinguish themselves from other branches of the family.
There are also more phonetically based spelling variations such as MacMullin, McMulen, Mcmullon, and others. These different spellings evolved as a result of different phonetic translations when the name was recorded in written documents.
There are also variants that drop the Mac or Mc prefix, such as Mullen, Mullin, Millan, Millen, and Millin. These are less common, but they have the same Gaelic root.
The regional distribution of these variants can vary widely, but many descendants with these surnames can be found in the United States, Canada, Scotland, and Ireland, reflecting the migration patterns of early members of the family.
Famous people with the name McMullen
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- Scott McMullen: American former professional basketball player.
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- Malcolm McMullen: American former Major League Baseball pitcher.
- Wes McMullen: South African former professional surfer.
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- Jason McMullen: American television writer and actor.
- Adam McMullen: American professional ice hockey player.
- Tim McMullen: American college baseball coach at Arizona State University.
- Megan McMullen: British fashion blogger and influencer.
- Robbie McMullen: American professional steeplechase jockey.
- Seán McMullen: Australian fantasy author and musician.
- Clara McMullen: Irish former swimmer.
- Pat McMullen: Irish footballer.
- O. C. McMullen: American football player and coach of American football, basketball, and baseball.
- Kingsley McMullen: British actor and comedian.
- Phil McMullen: English music journalist, artist, and publisher.
- Patrick McMullen: Canadian photographer.