Surname McCullough - Meaning and Origin

How My iGENEA DNA Test Altered My View of Personal Identity & the McCullough Heritage

The journey to discovering more about oneself can oftentimes take unexpected detours. For me, the path took a turn when I decided to take the iGENEA DNA test, a decision that significantly heightened my understanding of my lineage and personal identity, particularly with regard to my surname, McCullough.

W. McCullough

McCullough: What does the surname McCullough mean?

The surname McCullough is of Scottish and Irish origin and it derives from the Gaelic name "Mac Cú Uladh", which translates to "son of Hound of Ulster". This was a personal name or nickname common in ancient Irish sagas, often associated with a great warrior or a valiant hero. The "Mac" part of the name indicates "son of", while "Cú Uladh" is the Hound of Ulster, alluding to a heroic figure. Thus, people with the McCullough surname could be considered descendants of a heroic ancestor. The surname is common in countries with a strong Scottish and Irish diaspora, such as the United States, Canada, and Australia. Please note that the associations with the Hound of Ulster origins of the name are historical and traditional, rather than a definitive fact. Like all surnames, individuals with the surname McCullough may have multiple origins and not all McCulloughs are genetically related.

McCullough: Where does the name McCullough come from?

The surname McCullough is of Irish and Scottish origin. It is derived from the Gaelic personal name "Cú Uladh", which means 'hound of Ulster', a province in Northern Ireland. The "Mc" in McCullough is a Gaelic prefix meaning "son of". The surname originally denoted descendants of a warrior named 'hound of Ulster', reflecting the significance of wolves or hunting hounds as symbols of courage and war in early Gaelic society.

Today, the surname McCullough is common in many English-speaking countries, but it is particularly prevalent in Northern Ireland and Scotland due to its historical origin. It's also found in the United States, Canada, and Australia. It's significant to note that spelling variations of the surname, including McCulloch, McCullock, MacCullough and others, can also be found in these countries. Popular variations would often occur when families emigrated and names were often adapted to fit new cultural and linguistic environments. Regardless of the form it takes, the name McCullough links those who bear it to a rich Gaelic heritage.

Variations of the surname McCullough

McCullough is an Irish surname with several variants and spellings that are either phonetic versions, or are due to its translation from Gaelic. Some common variants and alternative spellings for McCullough include the following: McCulloch, McCollough, McCullock, McCulla, McCoulloch, MacCullough, Mccullah, MacCulloch, MacCullagh, McKullick, Mccullers, and McColloch.

The surname originates from the Gaelic name Mac Cu Uladh or Mac Cú Ulaidh, which means 'son of Hound of Ulster.' Ulster is the province in the north of Ireland. This name evolved into the surname McCullough or its variants in various regions of Ireland and Scotland.

The spelling and variations of the name can differ based on geographical locations and pronunciation differences. Each variant may also suggest a distinct line of the family tree. However, despite the significant variations in its spelling, the origin and meaning remain more or less the same. These surnames are common among people of Irish and Scottish descent worldwide.

Famous people with the name McCullough

• Colleen McCullough: Australian author best known for her novel The Thorn Birds
• Jack McCullough: American murderer and suspected serial killer
• John M. McCullough: Union Army general during the American Civil War
• Joe McCullough: British World War II bomber pilot
• John Philip McCullough: American Broadway actor
• Michael McCullough: American social psychologist
• Mike McCullough: American professional golfer
• Terry McCullough: former American Basketball Association player
• Troy McCullough: former National Football League player
• Jennifer McCullough: English actress and singer
• Mark McCullough: American college football head coach and player
• Roger McCullough: former Australian rules footballer
• Tim McCullough: former National Basketball Association player
• Tucker McCullough: Grammy Award-winning songwriter

Other surnames

McCullochMccullockMcCulloghMcCullonMcCullouch