Surname McCallin - Meaning and Origin
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McCallin: What does the surname McCallin mean?
The surname McCallin is believed to be of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic name Mac Gille Fhinnein which means “son of the devotee of St. Finian”. There are several different versions of the surname, such as MacAllen, MacAllin, and MacCallin, however all of them refer to the same origin.
The original form of the name implies that the McCallin family was related to a man of the clergy named Finian. Because of this, it is likely that the McCallin surname was originally associated with a person of religious significance.
Like most Irish surnames, McCallin is strongly linked to Irish clan territories. It originally originated in County Ulster, in the northern part of Ireland, although it has since spread across the entire island.
In the wider world, the McCallin name is very common. There are numerous variations of the name, such as MacCallan, MacCullen, and McCauley, and the name itself appears in many forms throughout Scotland, the US, Australia, and beyond.
The McCallin surname is undoubtedly an important part of Irish heritage, and is a reminder of the religious history, culture, and connection of the Irish people. It is a legacy that is likely to stay with McCallin families throughout the generations.
Order DNA origin analysisMcCallin: Where does the name McCallin come from?
The McCallin surname is mainly found in the United Kingdom but can also be found in North America and Australia. It is most commonly associated with Northern Ireland, particularly counties Antrim and Down.
In Antrim, McCallin is one of the most prolific surnames, with the name accounting for over 0.11% of the population in 2017. The name is also common in neighboring Down, with over 0.07% of its people bearing the McCallin surname as at 2017.
In Scotland, the McAllan variant of the name is the more popular version, accounting for over 0.008% of the population in 2017.
In the United States, McCallin is not a particularly common surname, but can be found in states along the Eastern seaboard, particularly New York and Pennsylvania. The majority of these American families are likely to have originated from Northern Ireland.
The last name is much less common in Canada and Australia, although there is evidence of some families with the name in both countries. Evidence suggests that most of these families originated in Northern Ireland.
Overall, the name McCallin is most common in the United Kingdom, especially Northern Ireland, although there are also rare cases of the surname in North America, Australia, and Scotland.
Variations of the surname McCallin
The surname McCallin is an Anglicized form of the Irish surname Mac Cailin. Variants, spelling, and other surnames of the same origin include:
MacCallan, O'Callan, McCallan, McCallon, MacColman, MacColgan, O'Colman, McCallion, Callin, Calling, Cailin, MacCawillin, MacQuillan, Quillan, MacCullan, MacQuillen, MacQuillin, MacWhellan, and MacOllen.
The O' prefix indicates that the person descended from a family or clan chieftain. This prefix was added to distinguish the surname from the general population of those descended from the same lineage. This same lineage can still be found in modern-day Ireland, particularly in Counties Antrim, Donegal, Monaghan, and Tyrone.
In Scotland, the spelling of the surname evolved into MacColgan or MacColman. Those who spell it with the prefix Mac are likely to be of Scottish ancestry while those with the O' prefix are likely of Irish descent.
The surname is found throughout Canada, the United States and England, where some variations in spelling have occurred due to the influence of local dialects. Spellings such as McCallen, McCollun, or MacKellan may be found in these and other countries.
In some instances, the surname or a variant of it may have been adopted by distinct ethnic groups such as the Romany or Huguenots. There is an indigenous American tribe known as the McCallin who descend from a Choctaw ancestor of that name. This tribe has a tribal seal that includes a family crest of two griffins supporting a shield with the surname on it.
Overall, the McCallin surname is a common one that has been widely adopted throughout many parts of the world, and its many variants show that it is a surname of both Irish and Scottish origins.
Famous people with the name McCallin
- Julia McCallin, American actress.
- Kyla McCallin, British actress.
- Séamus McCallin, Irish rugby player.
- Stephen McCallin, American television producer.
- Corinna McCallin, British female bodybuilder.
- David McCallin, British actor.
- Ruth McCallin, Canadian journalist.
- Jack McCallin, American politician.
- Salina McCallin, American fashion model.
- Edith McCallin, British musician.
- Terry McCallin, Canadian professional hockey player.
- Alan McCallin, British rock guitarist.
- Robert McCallin, UK-based doctor and medical author.
- Roger McCallin, Canadian Olympic wrestler.
- Jack McCallin, American professional basketball player.
- P.J. McCallin, American professional BMX rider.
- Kay McCallin, American distance runner.
- David McCallin, Canadian actor.
- Fred McCallin, Australian cricketer.
- Peter McCallin, British dramatist and playwright.