Surname Molan - Meaning and Origin

Molan: What does the surname Molan mean?

The last name Molan is of Irish origin, likely derived from the Gaelic term “Maolán”, meaning “summit” or “hill”. In ancient times, many regions in Ireland saw a large emphasis placed on topography, so someone with this surname likely had a family association with this term.

The Molans (or Ó Maoláin), were noted to have a presence in County Leitrim, in the north-west of Ireland. It is in this area a branch of the family is said to have originated from. The Molans were most likely involved in the farming community, a long-established occupation in the area.

Molan is still a relatively rare surname, with a handful of families tracing their lineage back to Ireland. Today, people with the surname Molan, and its many variants, can be found throughout Ireland and other parts of the world.

The name Molan could very well signify an individual’s quest for something greater and is a reminder of how far one’s ancestors have journeyed. For many, it is a symbol of accomplishment and a source of pride.

Molan: Where does the name Molan come from?

The last name Molan is most commonly found today in Europe, especially in Ireland, the United Kingdom, and Portugal. It most likely originated in Ireland, where it is most prevalent today, as a variant of the Irish surname O'Mullane. It is likely derived from the Irish Ó Maoláin, meaning "descendant of Maoláin".

The surname Molan is also found in America, with the majority of those who bear the last name being descended from the family that first arrived in the US from Ireland during the Irish Famine in the mid-nineteenth century. The family is believed to have settled mainly in the eastern states of New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Massachusetts.

Today, there are numerous variants of the name Molan, such as Mullin, Mullan, Mullen, O'Mullan, Molin, and Mullane, that are found throughout Europe, as well as in Canada and Australia. It is estimated that around 10,000 individuals in the Americas have the last name Molan originating from a variety of different countries.

Overall, the last name Molan is most commonly seen today in Ireland, followed by the United Kingdom and Portugal, with lesser numbers present in the United States, Canada, and Australia. As such, it is rarely seen in other parts of the world.

Variations of the surname Molan

Molan is an English, Irish, and Scottish surname. It is also spelled as Molin, Molon, Molen, Molonis, and Mollan. Variations of Molan include Moland, Mollan, Mollins, Mollon, Mullen, Mullens, Mullin, Mullins, and Mullon.

Molan is derived from the Middle English and Old French word "moline," which means mill. In Ireland, it is a variant of the Gaelic name Ó Maoláin, which is derived from the personal name Maolán, which means 'devotee of St. John'. In Scotland, the name Molan may have been derived from MacMullin, which was an Anglicized form of the Gaelic MacMhaoilain.

The surname Molan originated in various parts of Europe and then spread to the United States. It could be found as Molon in France, Mollan in Ireland and Scotland, Moloman in Germany, and Mollins, Mullins, Mollen, and Mullen in England.

In the United States, Molan can be found in various forms such as Mullen, Mullins, Mollin, Mollon, Molon, Molan, Mollins, Moland, and Mollands. The Molan family was among the earliest settlers in the United States. It can be found in various states including Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and North and South Carolina.

Molan is considered a rare surname but can still be found in certain areas of Europe and their descendants living in the United States. Some of the variants of Molan's name can also be found in Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

Famous people with the name Molan

• Seth Molan: Seth Molan is the drummer in the metal band Twelve Foot Ninja. He joined the band in 2013 and has since been playing drums and writing music for them.
• Lionel Molan: Lionel Molan is a civil rights lawyer and associate of the American Civil Liberties Union. He has worked on a number of cases defending marginalized groups around the United States.
• Steve Molan: Steve Molan is a former footballer who played for the Green Bay Packers in the NFL for nine seasons. He played in Super Bowl XXXI and was named to the 1989 NFL All-Rookie team.
• Ava Molan: Ava Molan is a professional SAG award-winning actress, writer, and producer best known for her role in the tv show Scandal.
• Mark Molan: Mark Molan is a professional skydiver and BASE jumper who has set multiple records for the sport, even setting a new altitude record for BASE jumping in 2016.
• Cindy Molan: Cindy Molan is an award-winning author, best known for her 2008 novel "The Saltwater Solution".
• George Molan: George Molan is an Australian journalist who wrote extensively for the Sydney Morning Herald and The Age newspapers.
• Edna Molan: Edna Molan was an American music teacher who was a successful piano teacher for over 40 years and was honored in 1993 with a “Star of Excellence” award from the Music Teachers National Association.
• Mike Molan: Mike Molan is an American professional boxer who is currently the IBF world super middleweight champion.
• Stephen Molan: Stephen Molan is a successful American businessman who founded and is the CEO of the software company XBLPlatforms LLC.

Other surnames

MolamedMolatMolattMolatte