Surname Mulgan - Meaning and Origin
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Mulgan: What does the surname Mulgan mean?
The last name Mulgan is an Anglicized version of an Irish surname, Ó Maolagáin or Ó Maolgain. This Gaelic surname is derived from the ancient Irish words “maol”, which means “bald”, and “gain” which means “calm”. Therefore, the literal meaning of this surname is “the bald or calm one”.
The term “maol” was probably referring to a person’s physical appearance, rather than a character trait which explains why “gain” was added to describe the person’s personality. This name was found along the shores of County Waterford in the south-east of Ireland, with the first recorded spelling of the surname being 'O'Mulgaine' in the Hearth Rolls in the same county, in 1659.
By the 19th century, the original Gaelic spelling of the name had been almost completely replaced by the Anglicised version, Mulgan. Though the name has lost its original Irish form, it has kept its original meaning and is now commonly used as a family name throughout the world. It is likely to have spread as a result of emigration from Ireland during the 19th and 20th centuries, with families settling in areas such as the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada and Australia.
All together, the surname Mulgan carries with it a deep and interesting history, giving insight into this ancient Irish family name. It is likely to have originated as a nickname, but has since stood the test of time and remains a distinctive and widely used name in the modern world.
Order DNA origin analysisMulgan: Where does the name Mulgan come from?
The last name Mulgan appears to be most common in Australia today. It is primarily associated with the Turrbal and Kabi Kabi people of the Sunshine Coast in Queensland. The name is originally derived from an Aboriginal word meaning "rain" or "mist".
The Mulgans (also known as Milligans or Milligans) were among the first Aboriginal settlers in southeast Queensland. Many of them were among the first residents of Maroochydore and Noosa on the Sunshine Coast, having inhabited this area before European settlement. During the 19th century, many Mulgan families migrated to the coastal areas of the south and inspired the name of the Mulgan Creek, which runs to this day between the towns of Yandina and Cooran.
The Mulgan family line is still proudly preserved and recognised among the Sunshine Coast Indigenous people. The family remains a symbol of resilience and perseverance and many members of the family are prominent figures in the Sunshine Coast community. In 2020, the family was awarded the Order of Australia Medal to acknowledge their contribution in preserving, protecting, and promoting the cultural heritage of the Turrbal and Kabi Kabi peoples.
Today, individuals from the Mulgan family are spread throughout the world, including Australia, New Zealand, the United States, and the United Kingdom. Their descendants continue to have an important impact on the lives of many Indigenous people on the Sunshine Coast and beyond.
Variations of the surname Mulgan
Mulgan is an Irish name that is derived from the native Gaelic names O'Maolagain and MacMaolagain. It is also spelled as Muelgan, Mulgen, Muelgan, Mulgen, Mulligan, Molligan, and Mullaghan. The Gaelic root of the name means "descendant of Maolagain."
Variants of the name may represent a particular branch of the family. The northwestern region of Ireland is where most of the Mulgans originally resided and some may also be found in Scotland.
The Muelgans have absorbed features from the English language into the name, resulting in some variations such as Mulgan, Muelgan, and Mulligan. In some cases, the surname has been adapted to fit spelling conventions in other languages, such as Mullaghane in French, Mulegano in Italian, and Mulgane in Spanish.
The MacMaolagan clan, descended from a 10th century Irish king, is also centered in Galway, Ireland. They settled in County Mayo and sometimes spell their name as MacMulgan, MacMullian, MacMullan, MacMulligan and even MacMaolagain.
The O'Maolagain and MacMaolagain branches of the family have spellings such as O'mullin, O'mullon, O'muloghan, O'mullaghan, O'mullen, and Macmullin.
Throughout history, many have adopted the Mulgan name. The variations are many and cover a broad range of nations and cultures that are associated with it. Nevertheless, despite the different spellings, they all share the same history and origin of the name.
Famous people with the name Mulgan
- Jennifer Mulgan: She is a New Zealand environmental scientist, professor and author.
- Jane Mulgan: She is an Australian author who has published books in the YA and children's literature genres.
- Carl Mulgan: He is an Australian academic and the former head of the School of Political Science and International Studies at the University of Queensland.
- Brad Mulgan: He is a former Australian rules footballer who played with the Brisbane Lions in the AFL.
- Harry Mulgan: He was a New Zealand soldier and writer who won the Support of Attack award during World War I.
- Robert Mulgan: He is a New Zealand public servant and politician who was the Minister of Immigration from 2008 to 2011.
- Val Mulgan: She was an Australian musician and songwriter who was the lead singer of the band Custard from 1991 to 1997.
- Peter Mulgan: He is the Director of Strategy and Quality at The Open University in the United Kingdom.
- James Mulgan: He is a New Zealand politician who was a member of the New Zealand Parliament from 2008 to 2011.
- Ross Mulgan: He is an Australian actor who has appeared in several films and television shows.