ORigins of the surname "Mac Maoláin"

 

 

Mac Maoláin as a surname evolved from the ancient Irish Gaelic root form "Maelan", an early variant which remained in use circa 700-900 AD. Later middle Irish variant forms of Maoláin; Mailin; Maellain, became more common circa 900-1200AD, and are verified in numerous Irish "annal" entries which often use varied spellings for the same individual spanning hundreds of years.

 

 

A less certain possibility for a Co. Tyrone family bearing this forename, is found in the translation of an Ogham narrative cut into the Aghascrebagh Standing Stone. One of the very few Ogham stones found in the north of Ireland, this was almost certainly a standing stone before this Ogham script was added.

 

1.2 metres high, the stone itself appears to be from circa 500AD, but when exactly the now much worn oghamic inscription interpreted as "Dottetto Maqi Maglani" was added, remains unknown.

 

MAQI according to oghamic expert analysis, was one of the earliest oghamic forms of Mac=son of, leaving some convinced this script is referencing an individual who was a son of Maelan

 

 

 

Eugence “O'Growney” in his research publication of Irish forenames, suggested Maelan in the original Celtic form, evolved from forename Maol which translates as "Head or Hero". He provides us examples of sites connected to early ecclesiastic tradition, where the forename variant Maelán (Daire Maelain Fermanagh, Cell Maelain Limerick and Cell Maellain (Killmoylan) Galway, were used by individuals engaged in ecclesiastic endevours.

 

Widely dispersed ecclesiatic sites where a variant of Maelan emerged include several in county Laois, one of which according to "O’Growney, in his research conclusions", may have been the very 1st to house a monastic given the forename of Maelan:

 

 

 

 

These "original Celtic forename variants", eventually became anglicized, evolving 1st to the surnames: Mullan/Mullen/Mullin and then "son of", = Mac Mullan, Mac Mullen, Mac Mullin and Mac Moylan.

 

Later the Mac was also often shortened to the more modern common variant Irish style's in use today of: McMullan, McMullen, McMullin, but existence of those earlier forms (Mac Maoláin, Mic Maoláin, Mhic Mhaoláin, Mec Mellain and Mec Maoilin), can all be verified by:

 

1. Ancient Irish townland names established in topographic locales these families had once inhabited;

 

 

2. Diversified Irish annal entries recorded by scribes located in different areas and influenced in their style of spelling based on different monastic orders;

 

 

3. Written notes, recorded in the Irish language discovered in the charter section of the famous "Book of Kells"; and

 

 

4. Individuals identified in ecclesiastic histories of several Irish dioceses bearing a variant of this surname.

 

 

These diverse resources highlight the factual reality, several unrelated families adopted a variant of this forename as their family (clan) surname in Ireland over many centuries. Importantly this diversity exposes the simplistic research approach adopted by crest marketing companies, who cobble together questionable analysis about each specific form of the surname, post varied suggestions of where it supposedly first emerged, and then select for display one common crest for all, based it would appear primarily on who they are marketing.

 

 

These outdated general descriptions were perhaps acceptable in the past, but have continued to remain static, ignoring vast amounts of modern accessible database research evidence that illuminates several specific unrelated families of the surname and the different crests adopted by those families for a particular lineage.

 

 

 

 

 

The chiefly forename Maelán, Maolán, Maoláin, Meallain and collateral medieval surname Mac Maoláin (son of), all surface in terms of historic identification, in the transcriptions of very early locational enumerations for populations and affiliated families within dynastic tribal clusters (Rawlinson B502 "Genelach Laigin", the book of Glendalough, the book of Leinster, and the history of Clanna Rory (F. Cronnelly), plus diverse Irish Annals just to name a few).

 

These ancient texts reference a significant chieftain, the use of his name to enumerate the family groupings under his rule, and the particular variant form found for that clan, published in antiquarian research. These sources sequentially reveal where those forenames and collateral surnames were found:

 

 

** In the early chiefly families of the Laigin (Laen/Lein/Lyne) ), specifically the dynastic Ui Bairrche tribal clusters, which included their mercenary allies, the fianna of Clanna Rory (the Laighsi);

 

 

Ui Maeláin (line 190, line 201, line 207, Ui Bairrche, Glind Uissen, Leinster, located in Magh Ailbe, Kells plain, Co. Kilkenny and later in the Killeshin barony of Slievemargy Co. Laois;

 

 

** In downstream dynastic clusters evolving from these territorial tribes of the Laigin i.e, the Ui Failghe; Ui Dunlaigne; Ui Fergusa, and Clan Donnchada:

 

 

Rus Failge m. Cathaír Máir sé mc la suide .i. Nath Í, Brénaind, Óengus Find, Óengus Dub, Dálán, Eochaid, Clann Coibdenaig: Úi Móenaig & Úi Máele, mc Máelíne. Line 1513 Colmán m. Cináeda m. Máeláin m. Dub Dá Braine m. Donchada.

 

 

**In the genelach (pedigree) for the Luighne & Gaileanga alliance of Mide and Brega (=modern counties of Westmeath and Meath):

 

 

O’Maelláin, Dealbhna Bec, Chieftain O’Mellon, tributary to Mael Sechlain (McLoughlin) Clan Cholmain, Uisneach, located in townland of Clonmellon, barony of Fore, Co. Meath.

 

 

Ui Maelán & Mac Maoláin, tigherna of the Luighne & Gaileang Mora & Breagh, tributary to Mael Sechlain (MacLoughlin) Sil nAedno  Slaine, baronies of Lower Kells/Morgallion Meath plus Castlerahan/Clankee Cavan.

 

 

These territorial dynasties emerging over periods in excess of several thousand years, were constantly reshaped by conquest and defeat, producing several diverse variants of the original forename Maelan. These variants were recorded in different locations for clearly unrelated families (clan/sept) and also in diverse monastic sites such Ceanannus (Meath), Clonmacnoise (Offaly), Clones (Monaghan), Swords (Dublin) Clonfert (Galway), Kilnamanagh (Roscommon), Kilmactranny (Sligo), Daire (Derry columcille), Downpatrick (Down) and Ahoghill Kilconway (Antrim).

 

In monastic occupational records, the common variant spelling form selected most frequently by scribes for individuals recorded, contributed to adoption of the transcribed tonsured form (Maolain= bald) versus original form of Maelan.

 

 

 

 

 

Tracking territorial population clusters where a prominent Maelan & Mc later surfaced, illuminates the different cultural, topographic tribal areas, and diverse tributary relationships linked to this surname.

 

Where tribal references appear in ancient historic renderings, they often include a mention of the pagan deities of Lugh, Nauda, Cian and the mystic Tauth De Dannan. Most give tribal/territorial affiliations of the Luighne (Lune) & Gaileanga (Gallen).

 

Modern published research efforts, all of which predate YDNA  genetic evolution and haplogroup analysis were largely completed during the 1800-1900's identified specific families believed linked to this surname:

 

 

*Irish Genealogical Society's history of Clanna-Rory, identifying the ecclesiastical family of MacMullen on page 16 and migration of Fergus Gaileang to "Teffia" (modern day Westmeath) on page 86;

 

 

*Ethnology of the Gael, by C. Thomas Cairney, listing O'Mullan on pages 78, 82 and 87, with his suggested origin as being descended from earlier families clustered with Cahair Mor and the Laigin;

 

 

*O'Hart "Irish Pedigrees" (Origin and Stem of the Irish Nation) and his alternate variant family suggested descent as from Connor brother of Dathi, #102 on the Concannon pedigree, his son Donall, his son Maolan, topograhic affiliation O’Connor Connacht;

 

 

*Geoffrey Keating (Seathrún Céitinn)’s Foras feasa ar Éirinn 1634, stating Mullen of “Meath” as being descended from Conchubar (Connor) Ui Failge a dynastic line of the earlier Laigin; and

 

 

*Reverend Mullin (Thomas Hugh Mullin) "The Ulster Clans" identifying a clan Mullan of Coleraine & Derry and family Mellon of Armagh, as ulster septs descended from the Ui Neill dynastic lines.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

These earlier efforts by dedicated researcher's, were limited by their inability to access the greater amount of antiquarian data, now available online. Generally, most antiquarians consider recorded ancient pedigree text's as only completely reliable from about the 9th century (=800AD+) onward, due to the constant shifts in dynastic affiliations of earlier times.

 

Ancient pedigrees therefore should be read with the view of being more indicative of topographic alliances versus agnatic descent.

 

Below are listed those three (3) ancient pedigrees (not to be confused with dynastic clusters of affiliated families), which based on collated antiquarian Irish text research, describe evolutionary leadership pathways where a prominent male chiefly forename emerging in a territorial cluster is suggested, to have spawned a later clan family surname of Mullan, Mullen, McMullen.

 

 

Note all three, claim ancient descent from a forename of Ailella Auluimm (linked to a Munster dynasty which included the earlier Ui Failge=Offaly) or, the alternate form Oiliol , a variant of Ailella.

 

Pedigree forenames significantly associated to later Mullen or Mc research conclusions, such as Cormac, are found in all three.

 

Donchada linked directly to the Leinster Mac Maolain lineage, is only found in two, while Conchubar (Connor) and Máeláin are only found in one (1),  the pedigree of the Luighne & Gaileanga of Meath.

 

 

Sil Cormaic Gaileng: (Leinster)

 

Clothna m. Colggan m. Móenaich m. Crunnmáel m. Báetáin m. Báeth m. Findich m. Gossa m. Tálgluind m. Brócáin m. Cormaicc m. Taidgc m. Céin m. Ailella Auluimb

 

 

Fergus Gaileang Teffia: (Clana Rory to Leinster)

 

Lughaidh m. Fergna m. Gillacha m. Ronain m. Oiliol m. Donchada m. Saoi Mor m. Oildgoid m. Gailne m. Cormac m. Blathnaine m. Felim m. Oiliol m. Fergus [Gaileang] m. Rosa m. Rory

 

 

Luighne & Gaileang Mora: (Rawlinson B502)

 

Léocán m. Laidgneáin m. Máeláin m. Éicnich m. Dúnchada m. Cináeda m. Léocáin m. Donngaile m. Conchobair m. Moínaich m. Máel Mórda m. Adamra m. Dechraich m. Dergscáil m. Leae nó oe m. Cormaicc [Gaileang] m. Taidg m. Céin m. Ailella Auluim

 

Mac Maoláin

The 1st family recorded "anywhere" with a surname of "Mac Maoláin" emerged in annalistic records early 11^th/12th century, and the chiefly forenames found in the B502 pedigree line above.

This family was associated at that time with the Mide & Brega tribal clusters of Luighne & Gaileanga, tributary to the Southern Ui Neill, Clan Cholmain & Sil nAedo Slaine (Mael Seachlain kings of Mide and Tara (Brega), mercenary warriors responsible to secure the borders of Mide & Brega for the High King (Ard Ri).

Notices found in diverse Irish Annals relating to this specific family of Maelan, Maoláin, and Mac Maolain, identify them as originally chieftains of the Luigne, with sequential entries recording the territorial tribal clusters they were aligned with, and their eventual expansion to include the lordship of the Gaileanga Mora (Brega).

Subsequent records reveal their wider involvement within these territorial elements both in conflicts of the region and the monastic orders that were part of it. In short, Clan Maoláin were a mercenary "warrior class", but also followed the practice of all ruling families, with derbfine (agnatic) relatives holding important positions in aligned monastic orders.

Time related sources illuminate that this family had ecclesiastic links to the monastic sites of Kildalkey, Swords, and Kells (Ceannanus).

Importantly this recorded involvement, took place during the specific period when Kells had become the primacy (head of) this monastic branch of columcille, responsible for educational sites in both Ireland and Scotland, sending monastic members linked to this family to Scotland for service in the rotational sites of Iona, Oban & Dunkeld (see the tab section titled "Alumnus of Columcille").

 

Extracts "Annals of ireland" revealing individuals and events of historic significance linked to the surname Maoláin, and Mac Maolain:

 

848, Maelan, son of Cathmogha, lord of Ui Briuin of South Connaught, was slain by the foreigners;

 (authors note:  Antiquarian O'Rahilly in his research conclusions, disputes the Ui Briuin label, suggesting this man was chieftain of the Laigin population of Southern Connacht),

855, Maeleona son of Olbrann, one of the Luighni of Connacht, Lector of Cluain Mic Nois, died;

(authors note, this variant form "Maeleona" might translate as "Malone" vs Mullen (perhaps the family O'Hart spoke of) and not likely the same line as the Maelan of the mide barony of Luighne, lineage descended from Echnach)

884, Dunacan, m. Tauthcair, dux Galeng Collumrach 

929, Maeleoin, bishop and anchorite of Ath-Truim, died, after a good life.

953, Ruadhacan mac Eitigen ri Airthir Gaileng.

978, The battle of Teamhair was gained by Maelseachlainn, son of Domhnall, over the foreigners of Ath-cliath and of the Islands, and over the sons of Amhlaeibh in particular, where many were slain, together with Raghnall, son of Amhlaeibh, heir to the sovereignty of the foreigners; Conamhail, son of Gilla-Arri; and the orator of Ath-cliath; and a dreadful slaughter of the foreigners along with them. There fell also in the heat of the battle Braen, son of Murchadh, royal heir of Leinster; Conghalach, son of Flann, lord of Gaileanga, and his son, i.e. Maelan; Fiachna and Cuduilich, the two sons of Dubhlaech, two lords of Feara Tulach; and Lachtnan, lord of Mughdhorn-Maighen. After this Amhlaeibh went across the sea, and died at I-Coluim-Cille.

991,  The Fox, grandson of Leochain, King of the Gaileanga, died. 

993,  Eicnech Ua Leochain, king of Luighne, was killed by Mael Sechnaill in the abbot's house of Domnach Patriac.

994,  Conghalach, son of Laidghnen, king of the Gaileanga, died.

1002, Repose of Colum Ua Laigenáin, coarb of Ailbe.

1003, Madadhan, mac Aenghusa, toiseach Gaileng m-Becc, & Ferc-Cul was slain.

1005, Cathal, mac Dunchadha, tigherna Gaileang Mor.

1009, Maelan, .i. in Gai Mor, ri Ui Dorthaind ("Maelan" i.e. of the large spear king of "Ui Dorthainn").

(authors note: a territory identified by annalists as Ardbraccan Meath).

1017, Maolán, mac Eccnígh uí Leochain, tigherna Gaileng & Tuath Luicchne (Luigne) uile, do mharbhadh dona Saithnibh.

1032, Donnghal mac Duin Cothaig, ri Gaileang

1037, Laidhgnen Ua Leocain, tigherna Gaileng.

1048, Aedh, son of Maelan Ua Nuadhait, airchinneach of Sord, was killed on the night of the Friday of protection before Easter, in the middle of Sord.

1050, Maelan, lector of Ceanannus, who was a distinquished sage; died.

1051, Laidcnen, son of Maelan Ua Leocain, lord of Gaileanga, and his wife, the daughter of the Gott O'Maeleachlainn, went on a pilgrimage to Rome; and they died in the east, on their return from Rome.

1060, Leochan mac maic Maelan, king of Gaileanga.

1060, a defeat was inflicted by the men of Brega, i.e. by Gairbeid ua Cathasaigh, on the Gaileang, i.e. on Leochan grandson of Maelan, and on the Cairpre.

1065, Leochan, i.e. the son of Laidhgnen, lord of Gaileanga, was slain by Conchubar Ui Maeleachlainn.

1076, Amhlaib, mac mic Maoláin, king of Gaileanga

1077, the grandson of Maelan, king of Gaileanga, was killed by Mael Sechlainn king of Temair.

1091, Laidgnen .i. An Buidhenach h-Úa Duinn Cathaig, rí Gaileng.

1091, Laighgnen, lord of Gaileanga, was slain by the Ui Briuin.

1097, Maelan Ua Cuinn, airchinneach of Eaglais-Beag at Clonmacnoise.

1124, the finishing of the cloictheach of Cluain-mic-nois by Ua Maeleoin, successor of Ciaran.

1127, Gillachrist Ua Maeleoin, abbot, successor of Ciaran of Cluain-mic-nois, fountain of the wisdom, the ornament, and magnificence of Leath-Chuinn and head of the prosperity and affluence of Ireland, died

1134, Maelciarain, a son of Cormac, a noble priest, prop of piety and wisdom, noble head of CLuain-mic-nois, died on MIchaelmas NIght, and it was in Imdhaigh Chiarain he died. Mael Ciaran ( a quo muinter Maelán).(authors note:  St Ciaran was the patron saint of the Gaileanga. Use of the variant Maelan (1097 Ua son of Cuinn=Quinn,vs Maeleoin, would suggest this priest and the Maelan of 1097, were of the family Mullen Bealach Duin).

1144, Mac Mic Maoláin, tigherna Gaileang Breagh, was slain.

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Evolution of Mac Maoláin summarized: 

A Chieftain whose father had the forename Lorcan (anglicised Larkin/Lawrence), alternatley written by locationaly dispersed scribes as Leochain (Loughan/Lohan) circa 10th Century, is identified in the Irish Annals as Lord of the Luighne& Gaileanga familiesof Mide, Cavan and Brega.

The annals of Ulster considered to have been created in the early monastic site of Armagh, then re-copied later by these dispersed scribes, used the form Lorcan which may be the most accurate form as it surfaces in descendant McMullen families of Meath generally as the anglicised form Lawrence.

In 1037AD, Laidcenn (variant Laidhgnen anglicised Lynan), was listed by scribes of  several different monastic orders and, housed in different locations, as the son of Maolán, and grandson of Eccnigh Ui Lorcan.

Lynan then became king of the Luighne/Gaileanga Mora alliance in 1037AD, and was married to the daughter of the Gott  king of Uisneach=Westmeath Southern Ui Neill (the Gott=son of  then Ard Ri (High King) Conchhubar Maelseachlain Clann Cholmain.

Lynan is also recorded in the charters to the "Book of Kells", both as laity (alumnus of Columcille) and as witness to the freedom of Kildalkey (land transfers to the alumnus of Columcille circa 1025-1037 AD), by Conchubar Maelseachlain for violent actions he had taken against this alumnus.

Lynan was taken prisoner (hostage) in 1038 during conflicts between competing  Mael Seachlain "derbfine" and the sons of Brian Boru, all vying for position as Ard Ri. It is unclear which competitor held him captive, but based on recorded rifts between sons of Mac Maolain and the Mael Seachlain lines from this point forward, the author would guess it was one of them.

Lynan’s brother Maelan who d.1050, was the lector (fer legind) of the monastic site of Ceanannus (=Kells), the chief educational site at that time and, primacy of the kin of Columcille, responsible for developing monastics who are historically recorded in ecclesiastic positions linked to areas in Scotland such as Iona, Oban and Dunkeld.

Lynan and his wife unfortunately perished 1051AD, somewhere in the east, while they were returning from their pilgrimage to Rome. His son Lawrence/Loughan was then elected successor lord of the Gailenaga, but not of their origin tribe the Luighne. He would 1st appear in the irish annals 1060AD recorded as:

 Leochan mac maic Maolán (Loughan Mac Maolain).

Territorial references are no longer used by monastic scribes from that point forward for his family, with subsequent entries attaching verbal identifiers of mic, maic and Mic Maoláin to their entries, verifying the collateral evolution based on marriage to royalty (Southern Ui Neill (the Got) Clann Cholmain) of the noble family surname of Mac Maoláin, last identified as tigherna Gaileang Breagh and recorded by surname, slain 1144AD.

Authors note: Locales of Mide and Brega during the dynastic era of Clann Cholmain and Sil nAedo Slaine (Mael Seachlain kings of Mide (Westmeath) and Tara (Brega) circa 800AD, are illustrated on the map below. This contributes to an understanding of how modern day county Meath (Irish Mide) was then referenced as "Brega", and county Westmeath then referenced as "Mide" (Meath).