McLoughlin
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McLoughlin (also MacLoughlin and, rarely, M'Loughlin) is a Gaelic-Irish surname.
Origins
McLoughlin - (pronounced Mac-lockh-lin) ('gh' originally 'ch', thus pronounced as in Irish Loch) is the Modern English form of the surnames for two different, but distantly related septs, both of considerable importance to Irish history. In Gaelic, the word Lochlainn means 'of the lakes' and refers to the Scandinavians (Vikings) from the West of Norway. See Lochlann. Related to the Quinn's who were, contrary to belief, the first Quinn's in Johnstown. They were never allowed in Navan, and were eventually forced to run away from Johnstown to hide in the wilderness of Pelletstown for the remainder of time to settle a feud with the Coffeys.
'Mc' is an English abbreviation of the prefix 'Mac' meaning 'son' (genitive case, 'Mhic', 'son of'; plural, 'Mic', 'sons'). The feminine prefix is 'Ní' or 'Nic', depending on language, dialect and grammatical case (the former more common in Ireland, the latter more common in Scotland). The feminine prefixe
There are several English and Scots variations of the name, including MacLoughlin, McLaughlin, McCloughlin, etc., in Ireland; and, in Scotland, MacLachlan, McLauchlan, McLauchlin, and so on. Mac/Nic Lachlainn is the Scots Gaelic spelling of Mac/Nic Lochlainn (see under the first heading below).
MacLoughlin of Cineál Eoghain
The McLoughlins of Ulster are part of the Northern Uí Néill. They ruled what is now County Tyrone, Londonderry and Donegal. High Kings of Ireland from this family were -
- Domnall Ua Lochlainn, reigned 1083–1121, with opposition.
- Muirchertach Mac Lochlainn, reigned 1156-1166.
Ó Máoilsheáchlainn of Clann Colman
The Ó Máoilsheáchlainns of the Kingdom of Mide (presently the counties of Meath, Westmeath, and parts of the counties of Dublin, Kildare, Offaly, Longford, and Louth, all now in Leinster, and part of County Cavan, now in Ulster) are descendants of the Southern Uí Néill.
High Kings of Ireland of this family included:
- Conchobar mac Donnchada, reigned 819-833, with opposition.
- Máel Sechnaill mac Máele Ruanaid (aka Máel Sechnaill I), reigned 846-862.
- Flann Sinna, reigned 879-916.
- Donnchad Donn, reigned 919-944.
- Máel Sechnaill mac Domnaill (aka Máel Sechnaill II), reigned 980-1002;1014-1022.
The Ó Máoilsheáchlainns of Meath lost their lands and their power in the centuries following the Norman Invasion - their homeland of Meath even losing its status and being absorbed into Leinster. The family were recorded as O'Melaghlin, and after the 17th century, McLoughlin.
In Scotland
The Northern Uí Néill family expanded from Ulster into Argyll, in Scotland, where Middle Irish 'Mac/Nic Lochlainn' became Modern Scots Gaelic 'Mac/Nic Lachlainn', most commonly spelled 'MacLachlan in Scots and English.
See the Clan MacLachlan article for more information.
People
- Alan McLoughlin
- Coleen Rooney (née McLoughlin)
- Colin McLoughlin
- Collin McLoughlin
- Denis McLoughlin
- Emmett McLoughlin
- James McLoughlin
- Dr. Jean-Baptiste/John McLoughlin ("Father of Oregon")
- John McLoughlin (9/11 attacks survivor), also featured in the film World Trade Center
- Maurice McLoughlin
- Paul McLoughlin
- Tom McLoughlin
- William McLoughlin, footballer (Burnley FC)
- Tony McLoughlin TD
- Keith McLoughlin
