Surname MacCullen - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'M'
MacCullen: What does the surname MacCullen mean?
MacCullen is a surname of Irish origin, which is also widely spelled as McCullen. It is an anglicized form of the Old Gaelic name "Mac Cuilinn", meaning "son of Cuilinn". The personal name "Cuilinn" translates to "Holly" in English, which is associated with "holly tree" or "holly-covered", suggesting the first bearer lived near a place abundant with holly trees. Hence, the name MacCullen can be interpreted as "son of the one from the holly tree". It is also believed to be a name for someone having the virtues associated with the holly tree, such as resilience and adaptability. Like the majority of Gaelic names, MacCullen carries a rich history rooted in the family’s ancestral clan, territorial bounds or progenitor's profession. Over time and migrations, it might have taken different forms or spellings. Nevertheless, its meanings, historical and geographical associations help connect individuals bearing this surname to their Irish heritage.
Order DNA origin analysisMacCullen: Where does the name MacCullen come from?
The surname MacCullen is of Scottish origin, primarily stemming from the Highlands region. It is derived from the Gaelic name "Mac Cuilinn", which translates to "son of Cuilinn". Cuilinn is a personal name related to the holly tree, symbolizing fascination, defense, domestic happiness, and protection.
Today, the name is still somewhat prevalent in Scotland. However, it is also fairly common in the United States, particularly in areas with a high concentration of people with Scottish and Irish ancestry, due to migration patterns throughout history. Variations of the spelling include MacCulley, MacCullan, MacCoolin, and others, making tracking the exact prevalence of the name challenging. Regardless, the surname remains connected to its strong Gaelic and Scottish roots, carrying on its original meaning and heritage.
Variations of the surname MacCullen
The surname MacCullen originates from the Gaelic name Mac Cuilinn, meaning "son of Cuilinn".
Various spellings and variants of this surname exist due to regional differences in language and pronunciation, as well as translation issues. Some of these include McCullen, MacCullin, McCullin, McCullan, MacCullan, and Maccullen.
In some cases, the prefix 'Mac' or 'Mc', denoting 'son of', is dropped resulting in variants such as Cullen, Cullin, Cullan. There might also be versions with added suffixes like Cullens, Cullins, or Cullans.
This surname may also be found with O’ prefixes, which represents 'descendant of', such as O'Cullen or O'Cullin.
Variations in spelling also stem from phonetic translations during immigration, when names were often written as they sounded, leading to multiple spellings of the same name. Hence, one might encounter versions like McCullyn, McCoolin, McQuillan or even Macoolin.
It's also worth noting that while these names all share a similar origin, it doesn't necessarily imply a common lineage, as multiple unrelated families may have taken on similar surnames based on the names, nicknames or professions of their ancestors.
Famous people with the name MacCullen
- Robert MacCullen: Canadian professional ice hockey player
- Kirsten MacCullen: English-American Actress, singer, songwriter
- Eion MacCullen: Former professional American football player
- David MacCullen: Scottish professional football player
- Malcolm MacCullen: British competitive swimmer 6.into-Kyla MacCullen: British Singer, songwriter and actress
- Janice MacCullen: American personal trainer and fitness expert
- Mark MacCullen: Scottish actor
- Kerry MacCullen: Australian professional badminton player
- William MacCullen: English chess master