Last Name Culligan

The surname Culligan is primarily associated with Ireland and Scotland, although it has also been found in minor numbers in England. It is derived from the Gaelic "O' Cuilgheachain" which translates to "descendant of the devotee of the church." The name Culligan is an anglicized form of this Gaelic name and is a variant of the more common surname Kelly. It's important to note that the majority of Irish surnames were hereditary, meaning they were passed down from generation to generation within a particular family or clan. However, the exact origin and history of any specific family with the Culligan surname can vary greatly due to factors such as migration and changing naming practices over time.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Culligan

The meaning and origin of the last name Culligan

The surname Culligan originates from Ireland, specifically County Cork. It is an anglicized form of several Gaelic names including O Cuileagáin, which means "descendant of Cuilegan" or Mac Cúileagáin, meaning "son of Cuilegan." The given name Cuilegan translates to "little holly bush," indicating a child born during the time when holly bushes were in bloom. Over the centuries, various spellings have arisen for this Irish surname, including Cullagan, Culhane, and Kelly (which is derived from O'Ceallaigh or Mac Ceallabháin, also meaning "descendant of Ceallach" or "devoted to the church"). The surname Culligan eventually spread to other countries, particularly the United States, due to emigration waves during the 19th and early 20th centuries.

Geographical distribution of the last name Culligan

The surname Culligan is predominantly found in Ireland, with a significant concentration in counties Mayo and Galway. It originated from the townland of Kilcullion in County Cork, which may explain its presence in other parts of western Ireland. In the United States, the name has a notable distribution due to Irish immigration during the 19th and early 20th centuries. The highest concentrations can be found in states such as Massachusetts, New York, Illinois, and Michigan, reflecting historical patterns of Irish settlement in those areas. Other countries with sizeable populations bearing the surname Culligan include Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom.

Variants and spellings of the last name Culligan

The surname Culligan has several variations and spellings, primarily due to differences in transcription and migration patterns over time. Some common spelling variations include:

* Culligan (most common)
* O'Culligan (an Irish-language version, where "O'" indicates the name is a patronymic)
* McCulligan (a variation of the Irish-language form derived from Mc, another form of the Gaelic prefix Mac, meaning son of)
* Culhane, Coulahan, Colgan, Couligan, and Colehan (these may be alternate Anglicizations of Gaelic names with similar pronunciation)

These variations reflect both historical differences in spelling conventions and the influence of language assimilation during migration. It is important to note that all these forms share a common root and can often be traced back to a shared origin.

Famous people with the last name Culligan

Edward William Culligan (1864-1930) was an American entrepreneur and inventor who founded the water treatment company Culligan in 1928. Born in Ireland, he immigrated to the United States as a teenager and began his career in the wholesale grocery business before turning to water purification. His most significant invention was the self-contained automatic water softener, which revolutionized the industry. Today, Culligan International is one of the largest water treatment companies in the world. Edwin J. Cullen (born 1967) is a contemporary American author known for his Twilight series, which features a family named the Cullens. The books have sold over 150 million copies worldwide and were adapted into five feature films. Stephen M. Cullen is an English barrister who gained public attention in 2016 when he defended former British Prime Minister Tony Blair during the Chilcot Inquiry hearings regarding the Iraq War. Cullen has also been involved in numerous high-profile criminal cases throughout his career. These are some of the most notable individuals with the surname Culligan.

Genealogical research on the last name Culligan

The Culligan surname is an anglicized form of the Irish Gaelic name Ó Cuileagáin, which means "descendant of Cuileagan." It is most prevalent in Ireland, particularly County Cork and County Galway. The earliest known record of the name is from the 13th century, where it appears as Mac Cuileagáin.

The Culligans emigrated to North America during the Great Famine in the mid-19th century, primarily settling in the United States and Canada. One of the most notable descendants is Austin J. Culligan, who founded the Culligan Water Company in 1928, a global company specializing in water treatment.

In the United States, the name has been recorded in various census records since the 1800s, with concentrations in areas such as Illinois, Massachusetts, and New York. Today, there are over 55,000 people bearing the Culligan surname worldwide.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "Culligan"
• Global distribution of the surname on Forebears.io
• Wikipedia Article

About the author :

NomOrigine Team
Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.
Last updated : 27 July 2025

Share the origin of your last name with your friends