McMullin
An Irish and Scottish surname usually understood as a form of MacMullen, meaning “son of Mullin” or “son of Maolán.”
The #6,616 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 60,314 Americans shares it.
Etymology
McMullin is usually treated as an anglicized Gaelic patronymic. In Irish and Scottish usage it is often linked to Mac Mhaoláin or a related form, from mac meaning “son of” plus a personal name or byname such as Maolán, often understood as “little bald one” or, more broadly, a servant or devotee in some Gaelic names. The spelling has also been associated in older sources with MacMullen/MacMullan forms, so the exact underlying Gaelic form may vary by family and region.
History
The name is found in Irish and Scottish records in several spellings, including MacMullen, MacMullin, and McMullen. Emigration spread it widely in North America, where the Mc- spelling became common. Older surname writers often grouped it with related Mullin/Mullen forms rather than treating every spelling as a separate origin.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
In older surname books, McMullin is often listed alongside MacMullen and MacMillan as part of a cluster of similar Gaelic names, which is why the spelling history can be messy.
From the historical record
“triAC triAolAin, MacMuUan, Mac Mullen, MacMullin, Mac Mullon,MacMillan, MacMillen, MacBlain, Mullin, Mullins,”
— Sloinnte Gaedheal is Gall: Irish names and surnames