Surname Mullin - Meaning and Origin
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A Journey Through History: Unearthed Insights into the Mullin Surname via iGENEA DNA Test
The iGENEA DNA test has led me down an enlightening path of cultural and historical discovery surrounding my surname, Mullin. Originating from Celtic Ireland, the journey through history reveals the surname's religious references, shifts in social roles, geographical displacement with significant Irish events, and eventually, the diaspora that spread the Mullin name to corners worldwide.
X. Mullin
read moreMullin: What does the surname Mullin mean?
The surname Mullin is of Irish origin and is derived from the Gaelic word "O'Maolain," which translates to 'descendant of the shaved crown of the head.' Many assume this reference pertains to the tonsure of Christian monks, signifying this family's early connections to the church in Ireland. O’Maolain is actually a diminutive of the word "maol," meaning bald, and so it can be implied that the initial bearers of this surname may have been monks or religious disciples, as the shaving of the head was a common practice for those dedicated to monastic life. The name is common in the Irish counties of Donegal and Clare, and over time, has been anglicized to various forms, including Mullan, Mullane, Mullen, Mullins, and Mullin. It is worth noting that people with the last name Mullin can be found largely in Ireland and its diaspora, especially in the United States, Canada, and Great Britain.
Order DNA origin analysisMullin: Where does the name Mullin come from?
The last name Mullin is most commonly found in the United States, Ireland, and Scotland. In the United States, the name is primarily concentrated in the northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions. Within the U.S., states with the highest concentration of Mullins are North Carolina, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware. Within North Carolina, the highest concentrations of the name can be found in the counties of Union, Randolph and Nash.
The name Mullin is believed to have been derived from the Gaelic Ó Maolanáin, an anglicized version of the Irish surname O Maolain. The prefix “O” was common during the 10th century and those who possessed the prefix were considered to be descendants of an esteemed ancestor or noble. It is also possible that the name could have derived from “Humelynn”, which is the anglicized version of the early oral Irish name “Uath Meadhbha”, meaning “descendent of Meave or Meadhbha”.
Meanwhile, the name Mullin is mostcommon in Scotland, specifically in the northeastern region where the name was first recorded as early as 1249 A.D. In Scotland, the name is still most concentrated in Aberdeenshire and other nearby counties.
Overall, the name Mullin is both an ancient and ongoing testament to the rich history of the Irish and Scottish people. As the Mullins of the past planted their roots in various regions around the world, they have left their mark as respected and influential members of their respective communities.
Variations of the surname Mullin
The surname Mullin has many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. Variants of the surname include Mallin, Milin, Mellin, Molin, Mullen, Mullon, Mullins, Mollin, Mollen, Mullyn, Mullan, Mullune, Molline, Mollien, Mullinax, and Mullins.
Historically, Mullin is an English surname derived from the Old English pre-7th-century 'Lacu-melin' which translates as 'lake with milling' or 'pool with mills'. It probably referred to a settlement or area where water-driven flour mills were operating as a local industry.
The surname has appeared in various forms over the years in a variety of records. For example, Thomas Mullins is recorded in the 1221 Assize Rolls of Staffordshire and William de Mullin is documented in the 1196 'Fine Court Rolls of Lincolnshire.
In Scotland, the name may have originated as MacMillin, and in Ireland as Mullan, Mallin, and De Mollin. During the 17th century, many people from Ireland who were bearing this name migrated to the United States. At present, the United States is one of the most populated nations with this surname.
Moreover, Mullin is being used as a given name in the United States, a practice which probably began during the twentieth century and is found chiefly in southern states, especially Texas. It also appears as a short form of the name Millman, which is of English origin.
Famous people with the name Mullin
- Mark Mullin: an American physician and politician
- Chris Mullin: an American former basketball player
- William P. Mullin: an American former journalist and lecturer
- Joe Mullin: an American former ice hockey player
- Karl Mullen: an Irish rugby union player
- Jake Mullin: an Australian professional golfer
- Fiona Mullin: a Scottish politician
- Matt Mullin: an American football player
- William Blakeley Mullin: an Australian barrister and politician
- John T. Mullin: an American lawyer and politician