Surname MacNulla - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'M'
MacNulla: What does the surname MacNulla mean?
The last name MacNulla is an anglicized version of the Gaelic, Mac an Fhulaidh, which originated from Scotland’s Inner Hebrides. It is thought to derive from the Old Norse name MacNul. The literal translation of Mac an Fhulaidh is “son of the miller”, suggesting that the first of the MacNullas was likely a miller. This last name was most popular on the islands of Islay and Jura which are in the Inner Hebrides, off the western coast of Scotland.
The first MacNullas were a proud family of independent and entrepreneurial individuals. Records show that many of them owned farms, mills, and boats and had fishing rights on Islay and Jura. They held prominent positions in their communities, and many served in the military or in local politics.
The MacNullas were also proud of their cultural heritage and language. They spoke bilingual Gaelic, and were known to have an appreciation for the arts, literature, and music.
Nowadays, the MacNullas are a diverse family, spread across many countries. Some still live in Scotland, while others can be found in USA, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Today, they are still characterized by their strong and independent spirit, as well as their pride in their heritage and culture.
Order DNA origin analysisMacNulla: Where does the name MacNulla come from?
The last name MacNulla is commonly found in Ireland and the smaller islands surrounding it. It is sometimes seen in Scotland and even England due to the Irish-Scots connections. Scotland and Ireland have a long-shared history of people and cultures and the surname MacNulla is no exception.
The name MacNulla is quite old, originating from the Gaelic Ó Nualain which in english means “descendant of Nulla”. This name is therefore believed to have emerged in the medieval period. The etymology of the name, while impossible to pinpoint a definitive origin for, is believed to mean foresight or observer.
The prevalence of this name declined in Scotland and England following the Irish potato famine of 1845, however it has maintained a strong presence in northeastern Ireland, particularly in and around County Louth. The surname MacNulla also has a strong presence in the United States due to the influx of Irish immigrants in the 19th and early 20th centuries who often adopted anglicized versions of their Gaelic last name.
The MacNulla surname has likely maintained its presence in Ireland due to the lack of strong and consistent cultural influences from other countries that typically drive changes in surname patterns. The similarity between MacNulla and its anglicized version has likely also contributed to its survival as a prominent surname in Ireland.
Variations of the surname MacNulla
The surname MacNulla is a variant of the Gaelic surname Mac an Aba, meaning son of the Abbott. The name has undergone a number of different spellings over the centuries due to variation in local dialects and pronunciations. Popular variants of the name include MacNeil, MacNiel, MacNilly, MacNulty, MacNulty, MacNail and MacNell. It is also known as MacNeela, MacNill, MacNielle and McKneel.
The surname is most common in Ireland, particularly in the Ulster province. The name is also found in the Scottish Highlands, where it is sometimes spelt MacNeill. Owing to Irish emigration, the surname can also be found in other countries like the United States, Canada, and Australia.
It is important to note, however, that the surname MacNulla is far less popular than the other variants of the family name. The surname is sometimes confused with the Irish surname MacNahil or MacNail, which has a similar sound and spelling.
The range of surnames all deriving from the same Gaelic root allows for easy tracing of family lines, and is a testament to the longevity and evolution of the MacNulla name.
Famous people with the name MacNulla
- Ronan MacNulla: Irish Gaelic Footballer who has made numerous All-Star teams including the All-Star Team of the Year in 1998 and 2002.
- John MacNulla: For many years the Chairman of the Scottish Football Association.
- John MacNulla: Professional Footballer who notably played for Celtic in the early 2000s.
- Ian MacNulla: Irish Golf Professional who won multiple tournaments across Europe in the early 2000s.
- Keith MacNulla: Scottish Politician who served as a Member of the Scottish Parliament for a number of years.
- Mairead MacNulla: Famous Irish Singer who has released multiple albums.
- Meka MacNulla: Professional Wrestler who is also a former world champion.
- Iain MacNulla: Award winning novelist and poet who has written many books.
- Brian MacNulla: Irish Athletic Director who served as the Head of the GAA for many years.
- Paddy MacNulla: Retired Irish footballer who played for multiple professional teams.