Mullan is a Gaelic name with a strong presence in the north of Ireland.
Where does the Mullan name come from?
Mullan is an anglicised form of the Gaelic Ó Maoláin, a diminutive based on maol, meaning “bald” or “tonsured” — often in the sense of a devotee who wore the monastic tonsure. It is closely related to the names Mullen, Mullin and Mullane, which share the same root.
Mullan in Ireland
The name is associated particularly with Ulster, including counties Derry, Tyrone and Antrim, where Mullan families have long been settled. As an old Gaelic name, it appears in several spellings and is found today across Ireland and among the diaspora in the United States, Canada, Australia and Britain.
Related Irish family names
You may also like Milligan, Molloy, and Barry.
Frequently asked questions
Is Mullan an Irish surname?
Yes — Mullan is a Gaelic Irish surname, from Ó Maoláin, associated especially with Ulster.
What does Mullan mean?
It is a diminutive based on maol, “bald” or “tonsured,” in the sense of a devotee.