Surname Dullaghan - Meaning and Origin
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Dullaghan: What does the surname Dullaghan mean?
The last name Dullaghan originated in the beautiful and quaint county of Monaghan in Ireland. It is an Anglicized version of an old Irish Gaelic surname, "Ui Dhulaigain" which translates to "descendant of Dulaigain" and "Dulaigain" translates to "Great Hound".
The surname Dullaghan is thought to be derived from the clan system common in Ireland during the Middle Ages. Clan chiefs and their followers adopted a common family name as a means of identification. In the case of the Dullaghan clan, the chief's first name was "Dulaigin", so all his followers adopted "Ui Dhulaigain" as their family name.
The surname Dullaghan has been a proud part of the long and varied history of Monaghan, where the Dullaghans were prominent in farming and local politics.
Within Monaghan, the Dullaghan surname is an ancient one, with the remanents of an old bawn wall being part of an old Dullaghan home located in the town of Castleblayney.
Overall, the last name Dullaghan is very meaningful, steeped in history and tradition, with roots that can be traced back to a proud and loyal Irish family line. Its Gaelic origin further underscores its connection with this fascinating part of the world and its culture.
Order DNA origin analysisDullaghan: Where does the name Dullaghan come from?
The last name Dullaghan originated in the north midlands of Ireland (now Northern Ireland). It is thought to be derived from the Gaelic ‘O Tuileachain’, meaning ‘a descendant of Tuileachan’. The spelling of this surname has changed somewhat over the years, with present day variants including Dullaghan, Dillon, Dilaghan, Doolaghan and Dalaghan.
The vast majority of people who bear the last name Dullaghan today are located in Northern Ireland. Census data from the General Register Office indicates that Dullaghan is the 43rd most common surname in the country. It is found more commonly in certain counties, such as Antrim, Tyrone and Fermanagh, than in others. The Dullaghan name can also be found in Scotland, England, Wales, the USA, Canada and Australia, with emigrants having left Ireland to settle in those countries.
In recent times the Dullaghan surname is beginning to re-establish itself in the country of origin, as many expatriates of Irish descent are returning home. As a result, it could be assumed that the prevalence of the name will continue to increase in the years to come.
Variations of the surname Dullaghan
Dullaghan is an Irish surname of Anglo-Norman descent. The Dullaghans were originally known as O Domnaill (in Irish) or O'Donnell (in English). It is also sometimes found with the prefix Mac or Mc placed ahead of the name.
The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for Dullaghan include MacOllaghan, McOllaghan, O'Donnell, Domnaill, O Domnaill. In older records or documents, these names may be found in variations due to changes in spelling practices over time.
The O'Donnells were one of the most powerful clans in Ireland in the 12th century. Two branches of the O'Donnells, in Donegal and Tyrconnell, were powerful under the chieftainship of Calvagh and Hugh Roe O'Donnell respectively. The surname Dullaghan is believed to have been derived from Calvagh O'Donnell.
Dullaghan is not a common surname and is mainly found in parts of Donegal, Sligo, and Roscommon in Ireland. In countries which have high rates of emigration from Ireland, such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, there are significant numbers of people with the surname Dullaghan.
Famous people with the name Dullaghan
- Cecilia Dullaghan: Irish actress and drama specialist, under the tutelage of renowned director Robert Lepage.
- Conor Dullaghan: British landscape and fine-art photographer.
- Segun Dullaghan: Nigerian-American Poet, author, lyricist, and collector of rare African textiles.
- Stephen Dullaghan: Former United States Congressman for Kansas from 1989 to 1997.
- Paul Dullaghan: Art Director and Visual Effects Supervisor, notable works include Luke Cage and Iron Fist.
- Derek Dullaghan: American football defensive back who played for the University of Mississippi and was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the 1990 NFL Draft.
- Megan Dullaghan: American professional tennis player, winner of multiple USTA tournaments and two-time NCAA doubles champion.
- Sharon Dullaghan: Irish Conservative Party Member of Parliament, representing County Antrim from 1964 to 1987.
- James Dullaghan: Canadian professional basketball player and coach, six-time coach of the Montreal Magicians.
- Mary Dullaghan: Award winning Scottish screenwriter, notable works include Death Reaper (2005) and The 2nd (2014).