Last Name Mcmullan

The surname McMullan is a variant of Mullan, which has Irish origins. It comes from the Gaelic name "Ó Maoil Eoin," meaning "descendant of John the Monk." The Mc (or Mac) prefix indicates "son of" in Scottish and Irish Gaelic, so McMullan means "son of Mullan" or "John the Monk's son." This name was predominantly found in Ireland, particularly County Tyrone and County Derry. Over time, some families bearing this name migrated to Scotland and later to other countries due to historical events like the Ulster Plantation in the 17th century.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Mcmullan

The meaning and origin of the last name Mcmullan

The surname McMullan is an Anglicized variant of the Gaelic Mac Maoil Eoin, which means "son of the servant of John." This name was mainly used among Scottish Gaels and Irish Gaels. McMullan is a derivative of the name Mullin, which itself comes from Mael-Iomhair, a popular medieval Christian name in Gaelic. The name Mullin, or its variants like MacMullean, MacMullen, and McMullan, was primarily found among Irish and Scottish families. In Ireland, it was most prevalent in the provinces of Munster and Connacht, while in Scotland, it was more common in Argyll and Galloway. Over time, the name has been Anglicized to McMullan due to the influence of English-speaking settlers.

Geographical distribution of the last name Mcmullan

The surname McMullan is predominantly found in Ireland and Scotland, with significant concentrations in counties Antrim and Down in Northern Ireland, as well as in County Tyrone and County Donegal in the Republic of Ireland. In addition, there are substantial McMullan populations in Scotland, particularly in the regions of Ayrshire, Dumfries and Galloway, and Strathclyde. The name is also found in smaller numbers in other parts of the United Kingdom, such as England and Wales. Emigration from Ireland and Scotland during the 19th and 20th centuries led to the establishment of McMullan families in countries like the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, with particularly high concentrations in the states of Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, and Illinois in the U.S., and in the provinces of Ontario and British Columbia in Canada.

Variants and spellings of the last name Mcmullan

The surname McMullan has various spelling variations, including MacMullan, MacMullen, MacMulan, MacMullin, and MacMellan. Each of these versions can be found among people of Scottish or Irish descent. It is derived from the Gaelic name Mac Maoil Eoin, which translates to "son of John the monk." The difference in spelling arises due to factors such as transcription errors during record keeping and regional dialects. Over time, these variations have become commonplace as families migrated across the globe, further influencing the spelling of this name. In modern times, individuals with roots traceable to McMullan can be found globally, maintaining connections to their ancestral heritage through cultural practices, genealogical research, and more.

Famous people with the last name Mcmullan

Notable individuals sharing the surname McMullan include:

1. **Carl McMullen** - An American mathematician who is a professor at Rutgers University. He was awarded the Fields Medal in 1998 for his work on partial differential equations, geometric analysis, and Lie groups.

2. **John McMullan** - A Canadian ice hockey coach and former professional player. He played in the National Hockey League (NHL) from 1973 to 1984 with teams including the Vancouver Canucks, Montreal Canadiens, and Boston Bruins. As a coach, he worked for several NHL teams between 1992 and 2015.

3. **Jennifer McMullan** - A British author and playwright best known for her children's books, including the "Horrible Histories" series. She has also written plays for BBC Radio 4.

4. **Paul McMullan** - An English former professional footballer who played as a striker for teams such as Queens Park Rangers, Arsenal, and Blackburn Rovers in the Football League between 1986 and 2001. He is also a television pundit and club ambassador for Queen's Park Rangers.

5. **Pat McMullan** - An American politician who served as a member of the Alabama House of Representatives from 2014 to 2018. She was the first openly gay woman to be elected to the Alabama legislature.

Genealogical research on the last name Mcmullan

The surname McMullan is believed to have originated from Ireland, specifically County Antrim and County Down, where it is thought to be a variant of the Gaelic Mac Maoil Chromthain or MacMulcahy, meaning "son of the servant of Nicolas." The name was Anglicized during the Plantation of Ulster in the 17th century.

Some notable bearers of this name include Sir Robert McMullan, a prominent Irish lawyer and politician who served as Speaker of the Irish House of Commons; James McMullan, an American architect who designed many buildings in New York City during the 19th century; and Richard McMullen, an Australian businessman and philanthropist.

The McMullan family is also represented in Scotland, where they are believed to have originated from County Fermanagh and settled in Ayrshire in the late 1600s. In North America, the name can be found predominantly in Canada and the United States, particularly in regions with a strong Irish immigrant history such as Pennsylvania, New York, and Ohio.

Overall, the McMullan surname is thought to have a rich and varied history, with roots in both Ireland and Scotland, and a widespread distribution across North America today.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "Mcmullan"
• 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 : 11 June 2025

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