Mac Maoláin

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Mac Maoláin is an old Gaelic Irish surname shared by several unrelated families across Ireland (Breifne, Midhe, Brega, Connacht, and Ulster). Today it has many spellings, including MacMullan, MacMullen, MacMoylan, McMullen, McMullan, McMellon, and McMullin.

The name comes from forename roots Maelan (Moylan), Maolain (Mullan), and Meallain (Mellan), with the prefix Mac meaning “son of.” It developed mainly in Connacht, Leinster, and Ulster. Later, some Scot-Irish McMillan who adopted the Irish form McMullen added to the mix, making the history more complex.

Historical notes: Maelan mac Cathmogha was king of Maigh Seóla (now part of County Galway) and died in 848; some historians doubt a direct link to later Mac Maoláin families. The place name Cluain Mhic Mhaolain in Roscommon shows the surname’s presence there. A Gailenga sept in Brega also adopted Mac Maoláin.

In early Irish records: 1018 mentions Maolán, son of Eccnígh uí Leochain, king of Gaileng and Luigne, killed by the Saithne; 1051 records Laidcenn mac Maolain h-Uí Leocáin as king of Gaileng; 1076 and 1144 reference Mac Maoláin and descendants in Gaileang Breagh. The Book of Kells notes Laidgnean Mac Moelan as an alumnus of Columcille at Kells.

In later centuries, MacMullan and McMullen families appear as bishops in the Diocese of Connor and Down, with their seat at Cabra, Clonduff, in the old Magennis (Iveagh) territory.