Surname Melligan - Meaning and Origin
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Melligan: What does the surname Melligan mean?
The surname Melligan is of Irish origin, derived from the anglicized form of the Gaelic surname O Maolagain. It is derived from the Irish Gaelic Sanskrit “maol”, which means “bald” or “tonsured”. This is a reference to the ancient Celtic practice of shaving the head as an outward mark of religious devotion.
The name Melligan could also mean “follower of Saint Goban”, the 6th-century monk from Gaillimh, Ireland. This name could also be derived from the Irish words “moil” (grimness) or “maolach” (servant of God).
Although the Melligans were mostly a Catholic family, they were able to keep strong relationships with their Protestant neighbors. This could be attributed to the fact that they mainly lived on common lands and in remote rural areas, which enabled them to keep their beliefs and ancestral customs free from outside influence. The Melligans were noted for their hardworking history in both agriculture and industry, with many of them owning and farming land in the Irish midlands.
Outside of Ireland, the surname Melligan is mainly spread throughout England, Scotland, the United States, and Canada. In the United States, it is most commonly found in the states of Pennsylvania, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, and New Jersey.
The Melligans have a long and varied history, and their presence in the Americas has helped form and shape our cultural landscape in both tangible and intangible ways. Whether it be in politics, music, literature, or art, their influence has no doubt been a force for good in their adopted lands.
Order DNA origin analysisMelligan: Where does the name Melligan come from?
The last name Melligan is thought to have originated from the Gaelic O’Maolagain, originally from the province of Ulster in Ireland. Today, the surname Melligan is most common in counties Cork and Galway in the Republic of Ireland, as well as in the North East of Northern Ireland.
Melligan is much less common outside of Ireland. In the United States, the surname can be found mainly in Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Illinois, and California. It is also fairly common in Australia and Canada with many of its bearers originating from Irish immigrants circa 19th Century.
Melligan does not appear in any of the top 100 surnames in either the Republic of Ireland or Northern Ireland, however, numerous variations exist including Milligan, Malligan and Malaghen, which may account for its low presence in the surname rankings.
Variations of the surname Melligan
The surname Melligan has several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin.
Melligan is an anglicized version of the Irish surname O Maolagain or O Maolagain. This surname is derived from the Irish personal name Maolagain, which can mean “noble” or “bald”, and is often found in descendants of the ancient Connacht clan of the Uí Fiachrach.
The variants for Melligan are Melligan, Malligan, Mallligan, Mallaghan, Malaghan, Molaghan, Milligan, Mellican, Mollican, Malican, Milliken, Maliken, Millican, Moligan, Mulligan, and Mallican.
It is also associated with the surnames O Mealláin, Mullin, Mallon, Mullan, Maoláin, Molloy, and Maoláin. These related surnames have a variety of spellings, with some of the most common forms including Mullen, Mullane, and Mullin.
While the popularity of the surname has varied over the centuries, it remains a common name in Ireland. It has also spread to other English-speaking countries, including England, the United States, Canada, Australia, and even South Africa.
Melligan is a proud surname that is steeped in Irish history, and its many variants and spellings will ensure its legacy for years to come.
Famous people with the name Melligan
- Maureen Melligan:A Canadian singer-songwriter and actress who has performed on CBC.
- Jake Melligan: An American actor who has appeared in films such as The Grudge and Ghostbusters.
- Dave Melligan: An American sportscaster for ESPN Radio.
- Josh Melligan: An American musician and YouTuber.
- Mark Melligan: An American playwright and director.
- Patrick Melligan: An American comedian, writer, and radio host.
- Ryder Melligan:An American professional surfer.
- Paddy Melligan:An Irish rugby union player previously representing Connacht, Munster, Crusaders and other teams.
- William Melligan: An Australian rugby union player who has represented the Wallabies.
- Grant Melligan: An American political advisor, philosopher and podcast host.