Surname McCulla - Meaning and Origin

McCulla: What does the surname McCulla mean?

The surname McCulla is of Irish origin and is derived from the Gaelic personal name "Mac Cú Uladh" which translates to "Son of Hound of Ulster." "Ulster" is a province in the north of Ireland, hence the name suggests some form of historical connection or ancestry linked to that region. The name 'Hound of Ulster' is often associated with a heroic figure in Irish mythology, Cú Chulainn, renowned for his great bravery and strength. Although it is challenging to ascertain the exact implications and historical significance of the surname McCulla without a specific genealogical study, typically Irish surnames bear a strong connection to lineage, ancestry or a particular trait of the family. Like many surnames, the spelling can vary and the name McCulla may also be found as McCullagh, McCully, McCullough, or other variations.

McCulla: Where does the name McCulla come from?

The surname McCulla has its roots in Irish and Scottish heritage. It is an Anglicized form of the Gaelic surname "Mac Cú Uladh," which translates to "son of the hound of Ulster." Hence, it is likely to have originated from the ancient kingdom of Ulster, which now constitutes parts of both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. The variation of the surname is vast due to the phonetic translations over time, thus other versions include McCullagh, McCullah, McCool, and more. It is traditionally prevalent in regions of Northern Ireland and Scotland. Today, the surname McCulla and its variations can be found globally, mainly in English-speaking countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, due to widespread Irish and Scottish diaspora. However, it consistently maintains a higher density in Northern Ireland and Scotland. The name, while not extraordinarily common, has been carried around the world through the mobility of descendants. Despite its spread, it remains a name firmly grounded in its Gaelic origins.

Variations of the surname McCulla

The surname McCulla has various spellings and origin which are mostly Irish. These variations include McCullagh, McCullah, MacCullagh, McCullough, MacCulla, MacCullah, MacCullough, and McCollah. MacCulla is quite similar and thought to be a derivative.

All these surnames are anglicized forms of the Gaelic patronymic name "Mac Cu Uladh" which means ‘son of Uladh’s hound’. This name was commonly found amongst families in Counties Antrim and Down in Northern Ireland.

There even exists a slightly different spelling like Mccullar which is commonly seen in the United States. Some more Americanized versions of the name include Mccully and Mccullers.

Still, these names’ spellings and pronunciations may vary hugely across different regions and amongst different families, leading to distinct variants of the same surname. Due to emigration and the influence of other languages, these names can have different spellings, all stemming from the original Irish name.

Famous people with the name McCulla

• Kacey McCulla: a singer-songwriter and actress who gained fame after appearing on season seven of the American reality show The Voice.
• Sean McCulla: a professional soccer player who currently plays for the Colorado Rapids of Major League Soccer.
• David McCulla: a Canadian poet and novelist who is known for his works such as The Trojan Women, House of Illusions, and Verdict.
• William McCulla: a Canadian politician who served in the House of Commons from 1926 to 1935, representing the riding of York—Peel in Ontario.
• Alan McCulla: a Scottish actor who is best known for his role as Angus O'Donnell in the television series Heartbeat.
• Mary McCulla: an English teacher, author, and historian who wrote books about the history of Catholic schools in the United States and has held various leadership positions with several Catholic educational organizations.
• Matthew McCulla: an American businessman who is the president and CEO of PepsiCo, one of the world's largest beverage companies.
• Alice McCulla: a British painter and sculptor who is primarily known for her abstract works inspired by the landscape and seasons of her native Canada.
• Ryan McCulla: an American soccer player who currently plays for the Los Angeles Galaxy of Major League Soccer.
• John McCulla: an American politician who served in the United States House of Representatives from 1967 to 1983, representing the state of New York.

Other surnames

McCulachMcCuleyMcCullachMcCullaghMcCullahMcCullenMcCulleyMcCullieMcCullinMcCullochMccullockMcCulloghMcCullonMcCullouchMcCulloughMcCully