Surname Pullan - Meaning and Origin

Pullan: What does the surname Pullan mean?

Pullan is a surname believed to have Anglo-Saxon origins. The name is patronymic in nature, denoting "son of Paul". It is thought to have evolved from the name "Paulin" or "Paulyn" which was a popular variation of the personal name "Paul" in the Middle Ages. The use of patronymics, where the last name of a child is adopted from the first name of the father or ancestor, is a common naming practice in many cultures. So in essence, the surname Pullan denotes familial lineage from an ancestor named Paul. The name Paul itself has roots in Latin and means "small" or "humble". Over the centuries, the Pullan name has been spelled in various ways, including Pullen, Pulleyn, Pullan, and others. Today it is found in many English-speaking countries, including the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and the United States. In some instances, the name may have originated independently in different locations, meaning not all Pullans share the same ancestor.

Pullan: Where does the name Pullan come from?

The last name Pullan is commonly found in England today, specifically around Lancashire and Yorkshire. Records show that the Pullan name is believed to have originated in those two counties during the Middle Ages. Over time, people bearing the Pullan name began to move to other areas of the British Isles and beyond, spreading the name to other parts of England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland.

Though Pullan has always been a common surname in England, it is not as widespread today as it once was. According to the Society of Genealogists, surnames of English origins have begun to decline in popularity since the 19th century. However, the Pullan name is still found in concentrations in those two original counties. As of 2015, over 500 individuals with the Pullan name were recorded living in England, with Lancashire and Yorkshire remaining the most common regions among them. It is likely that there are also many Pullans living elsewhere in the world due to worldwide emigration throughout the centuries.

Variations of the surname Pullan

The surname Pullan is derived from the Middle English word Pullayn, which is a topographical term referring to a person living by a pool or standing water. The surname Pullan can be found spelled various ways, including Puilan, Pullin, Pullen, Poolan, Pullins, Pullens, Pullane, Modlan, and Pullan. It can also be seen with the Gaelic spelling of Pullain.

The name Pullan was first found in Sligo or Waterford where they held an estate in that shire and were known as the Lords of Fohenaughts in the early 1200’s. Another branch were found in Munster where they held a family seat from very ancient times. They were descended from a powerful Norse family, a sept of the Uí Fiachrach, whose ancestry goes back to the Kings of Norway who settled in Ireland and Scotland in the early centuries of the first millennium.

Pullan can also be an Americanized spelling of the German, Gallan, which was an eighteenth-century spelling of the Germanic personal name Paul. Though the given name could also be rendered as Paul, Paulus, or Pawlus, its presence in various parts of Europe led to differing forms of its surnames. The Dutch spelling was Pauwels, the Portuguese spelling is Paulo, while the Italian and Spanish versions are Paolo and Pablo, respectively.

Apart from the different varieties of the surname Pullan, there is evidence to suggest that many variants of the surname may be derived from place names and may not trace to a hereditary family. Some examples include Pullan in Cumbria, Pullan in Somerset, Pullane in Scotland, and Pullen in Wales and Kent.

In conclusion, Pullan is a surname of many varied spellings and has a rich and diverse history and origins. It ranges from Middle English to Germanic, from Norse to Portuguese, from Dutch to Spanish, and from Italian to Scottish. It can be found in records all around the world and is an interesting and meaningful surname to trace in family histories.

Famous people with the name Pullan

• Murray Pullan: British actor known for his portrayal of PC Arthur Cheswicke in the British TV police drama "The Bill"
• Roshani Pullan: Olympic swimmer from Fiji who competed at the 2008 Summer Olympics
• Chris Pullan: British freelance engineer, musician, and poet
• Andrew Pullan: New Zealand professional golfer
• Allan Pullan: Australian professional golfer who won several events on the PGA Tour of Australasia
• Rose Pullan: British professional golfer who won the Ladies' British Open Amateur in 1934
• C. R. Pullan: British academic and theologian of the late 19th and early 20th centuries
• Steve Pullan: English professional footballer who made over 100 appearances in the Football League
• Leslie Pullan: British architect who designed various churches and Cathedrals in the United Kingdom and other countries
• Guy Pullan: New Zealand rugby union player who represented the All Blacks in 14 test matches between 1901 and 1911

Other surnames

Pullam