McCullough is an Irish surname, with two distinct Gaelic origins:

  • Mac Cú Uladh which means 'son of Cú Uladh' ('Hound of Ulster').[1][2]
  • Mac Cullaich 'son of Cullach' ('boar'), usually rendered McCulloch

Derivation from the Irish Gaelic Mac Cú Uladh 'son of the hound of Ulster' is more probable.[3] While Cú Uladh may allude to the legendary Irish figure Cú Chulainn, it was a common given name in medieval Ireland. In Ulster it was often in use by the O'Neills of Clandeboye, the MacMahons of Oriel, the MacCanns, and the MacDonlevy kings of Ulaid. The M[a]cCulloch spelling is more common in Scotland (especially Galloway), and is associated with Clan MacCulloch.

List of people with the surname

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ Mac Giolla Domhnaigh, Padraig (1923). "Boar - Anglicised Surnames in Ireland". www.libraryireland.com. Retrieved 2023-06-04.
  2. ^ Woulfe, Patrick (1923). "Mac Conuladh - Irish Names and Surnames". www.libraryireland.com. Retrieved 2023-06-04.
  3. ^ "Mccullough Name Meaning & Mccullough Family History at Ancestry.co.uk®". www.ancestry.co.uk. Retrieved 2023-06-04.