Surname MacNulty - Meaning and Origin

MacNulty: What does the surname MacNulty mean?

The last name MacNulty is an anglicized version of the Irish and Scottish surname Mac an Ultaigh, which literally translates to “son of the Ulsterman”. The MacNulty family likely originated in the province of Ulster in Ireland or Scotland and the name ties back to a clan found in these regions.

The MacNulty family is thought to descend from the Ui Neill dynasties of the 10th century, a group of dynasties that was incredibly powerful in Ireland at this time. The Ui Neill's history is rich and diverse and the families that descended from them were some of the earliest to inhabit the Irish territories.

The MacNulty surname typically comprises of individuals of strong will and determination - qualities which have been inherited from their ancestors. The MacNultys often found success in various areas of life whether that be in military, teaching, government or other positions of honour.

The name MacNulty is incredibly diverse and can be found all over the globe. An individual with the surname today may find connections to the land from which their ancestors descended and have an understanding of the traits and history associated with their surname.

MacNulty: Where does the name MacNulty come from?

The surname MacNulty is quite rare today; however, it can still be found throughout the world. In the United States, the most common state for individuals to carry this surname is Pennsylvania. According to the United States Census for 2020, MacNulty is the 2,919th most common surname in the country and is shared by approximately 6,076 people.

Within the United Kingdom, there are more than 14,000 historical records of the surname MacNulty primarily located in the counties of Antrim and Tyrone in Northern Ireland. In Scotland, the name is present in small numbers in Aberdeenshire, Highland and Lanarkshire. The distribution of the surname is also seen in Australia and New Zealand, although the majority of records in both nations are concentrated in the state of Victoria in Australia.

The surname MacNulty has also been present in North America for hundreds of years, being first recorded in Virginia in the 17th century. It appears to have initially been recorded under the spelling of McNulty, although it has been recorded as MacNulty over time. It is likely derived from the Irish Gaelic name Mac an Ultaigh, or Mac an Fhilidh, which translates as ‘son of the artisan’ or ‘son of the poet.’ Today, the surname is most likely to be found in towns and cities of Ontario, Canada and the eastern seaboard of the United States.

Variations of the surname MacNulty

MacNulty is an Anglicized version of the Irish surname Mac an Ultaigh/Mac an Ultach. This Gaelic surname originated in Ireland and means ‘son of the Ulsterman’. There are various spellings, variants, and surnames of similar origin.

The two primary variants of the name are MacNulty and McAnulty. Other variations of the name include McNaulty, McAnulty, MacAnulty, MacNaulty, McNulty, MacNalta, Macanally, McCanally, MacNally, and Macanulty. Some spellings of the surname MacNulty can also be seen as Macanulty or Macanally.

Surnames of similar origin include Mac Anulty, Mac Aulay, Mac Onalty, Mc Walley, and Mac Walley. These surnames are variations of the original Irish surname Mac an Ultaigh/Mac an Ultach, which means ‘son of the Ulsterman’, but are often seen under a variety of spellings.

In some cases, the Mac can be replaced with a “Mc”, while in some situations the ‘Nulty’ may be replaced with ‘Nally’ or ‘Nulty’. This is seen in surnames such as McNally, McCanally, and Macnally.

The surname MacNulty is also seen with Anglicized spellings like Macoolty, Macoolly, and Macoulty. These spellings are still linked to the original Gaelic origin of the surname, but are more commonly seen in certain families or localities.

In summary, the surname MacNulty is related to a number of variants, spellings, and surnames of similar origin. These include MacNaulty, MacAnulty, McNulty, MacNally, McNally, MacWalley, and Macoolty, among others.

Famous people with the name MacNulty

• Mignon MacNulty: American actress
• MacKenzie MacNulty: American professional triathlete
• Samuel MacNulty: British author and activist
• Brian MacNulty: Canadian professional hockey player
• Donal MacNulty: Irish actor
• Thomas MacNulty: American engineer
• Austin MacNulty: Australian professional football player
• Albie MacNulty: American professional footballer
• Maeve MacNulty: Irish politician
• Ailish MacNulty: Gaelic singer and broadcaster
• Robert MacNulty: Canadian professor and author
• Neve MacNulty: Scottish hockey player
• Paisley MacNulty: British fashion designer
• Jamie MacNulty: American motorsports driver
• Mairi MacNulty: Scottish author and editor
• Siobhan MacNulty: Australian television presenter
• Bernie MacNulty: Irish singer and songwriter

Other surnames

MacNullaMacNully