McCullough is an Irish and Scottish surname, with two distinct

Gaelic Gaelic (pronounced for Irish Gaelic and for Scots Gaelic) is an adjective that means "pertaining to the Gaels". It may refer to: Languages * Gaelic languages or Goidelic languages, a linguistic group that is one of the two branches of the Insul ...

origins: * ''Mac Cú Uladh'' which means 'son of Cú Uladh' ('Hound of Ulster'). * ''Mac Cullaich'' 'son of Cullach' ('boar'), usually rendered McCulloch Derivation from the

Irish Gaelic Irish (Standard Irish: ), also known as Irish Gaelic or simply Gaelic ( ), is a Celtic language of the Indo-European language family. It is a member of the Goidelic languages of the Insular Celtic sub branch of the family and is indigeno ...

''Mac Cú Uladh'' 'son of the hound of Ulster' is more probable. While Cú Uladh may allude to the legendary Irish figure

Cú Chulainn Cú Chulainn ( ), is an Irish warrior hero and demigod in the Ulster Cycle of Irish mythology, as well as in Scottish and Manx folklore. He is believed to be an incarnation of the Irish god Lugh, who is also his father. His mother is the ...

, it was a common given name in medieval Ireland. In

Ulster Ulster (; or ; or ''Ulster'') is one of the four traditional or historic provinces of Ireland, Irish provinces. It is made up of nine Counties of Ireland, counties: six of these constitute Northern Ireland (a part of the United Kingdom); t ...

it was often in use by the O'Neills of

Clandeboye Clandeboye or Clannaboy ( Irish ''Clann Aodha Buí'', "family of Hugh the Blond") was a kingdom of Gaelic Ireland, comprising what is now south County Antrim, north County Down, and the barony of Loughinsholin. The entity was relatively late in ...

, the MacMahons of Oriel, the MacCanns, and the MacDonlevy kings of Ulaid. The ''M Culloch'' spelling is more common in Scotland (especially

Galloway Galloway ( ; ; ) is a region in southwestern Scotland comprising the counties of Scotland, historic counties of Wigtownshire and Kirkcudbrightshire. It is administered as part of the council areas of Scotland, council area of Dumfries and Gallow ...

), and is associated with Clan MacCulloch.

List of people with the surname

* Alfred McCullough (born 1989), American football player * Alison McCullough, British speech and language therapist * Andrew McCullough (born 1990), Australian Rugby League player *

Bernie Mac Bernard Jeffrey McCullough (October 5, 1957 – August 9, 2008), better known by his stage name Bernie Mac, was an American stand up comedian, actor and film producer. He joined fellow comedians Steve Harvey, Cedric the Entertainer, and D. L. H ...

(born Bernard Jeffrey McCullough, 1957–2008), American comedian and actor *

Billy McCullough William James McCullough (born 27 July 1935) is a Northern Irish former association football, footballer who made more than 250 appearances for Arsenal F.C., Arsenal in the Football League and was cap (sports), capped 10 times for Northern Irel ...

(born 1935), Northern Ireland footballer * Brian McCullough (born 1985), American college baseball coach * Chris McCullough (born 1995), American basketball player * Clayton McCullough (born 1979), American baseball coach * Clinton McCullough (1844–1895), American politician and lawyer from Maryland * Clyde McCullough (1917–1982), Irish baseball player *

Colleen McCullough Colleen Margaretta McCullough (; married name Robinson, previously Ion-Robinson; 1 June 193729 January 2015) was an Australian author known for her novels, her most well-known being '' The Thorn Birds'' and '' The Ladies of Missalonghi''. Lif ...

(1937–2015), Australian author * Conde McCullough (1887–1946), American bridge engineer *

David McCullough David Gaub McCullough (; July 7, 1933 – August 7, 2022) was an American popular historian. He was a two-time winner of both the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Award. In 2006, he was given the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the United S ...

(1933–2022), American historian and author * Denis McCullough (1883–1968), Irish rebel in the early 20th century * Donald McCullough (disambiguation), several people * Douglas McCullough, American judge * Ellen McCullough (1908 or 1909–1985), British trade unionist * Esther Morgan McCullough (1888–1957), American author * Frank S. McCullough (1905–1998), New York politician and judge * Frisby McCullough (1828-1862), Confederate officer executed during the American Civil War * George McCullough (born 1975), American football player *

Helen Craig McCullough Helen Craig McCullough (February 17, 1918 – April 6, 1998) was an American academic, translator and Japanologist. She is best known for her 1988 translation of ''The Tale of the Heike''. Early life McCullough was born in California. She graduat ...

(1918–1998), American scholar of classical Japanese poetry and prose *

Henry McCullough Henry Campbell Liken McCullough (21 July 1943 – 14 June 2016) was a musician and singer-songwriter from Northern Ireland. He was best known for his work as a member of Spooky Tooth, the Grease Band and Paul McCartney and Wings. He al ...

(1943–2016), Northern Irish musician * Henry M. McCullough (1858–1930), American politician and lawyer * Hiram McCullough (1813–1885), U.S. Congressman from Maryland * J. McCullough, Scottish author and avid golfer of the late 19th century * James McCullough (disambiguation), several people * Jethro J. McCullough (1810–1878), American politician and businessman * John McCullough (disambiguation), several people * Joy McCullough, American author * Julie McCullough (born 1965), American model and actress *

Kimberly McCullough Kimberly Anne McCullough (born March 5, 1978) is an American actress and television director. She is best known for her role as Robin Scorpio on the soap opera ''General Hospital'', a role which she originated at age seven, playing the characte ...

(born 1978), American actress * Liam McCullough (born 1997), American football player * Louis McCullough, American basketball player * Luke McCullough (born 1994), Irish footballer * Michael McCullough (entrepreneur) (born 1966), American social entrepreneur, investor and physician * Michael McCullough (psychologist) (born 1969), American psychologist and author * Mike McCullough (disambiguation), several people * Naida McCullough (c.1901–1989), American educator, pianist, and composer * Paul McCullough (1883–1936), American actor and comedian * Paul McCullough (baseball) (1898–1970), American baseball pitcher * Paul McCullough (footballer) (born 1959), English football goalkeeper * Peter McCullough (disambiguation), several people *

Philo McCullough Philo McCullough (June 16, 1893 – June 5, 1981) was an American actor. He appeared in more than 250 films between 1914 and 1969. He was born in San Bernardino, California, and died in Burbank, California. McCullough's film debut came in 1912 ...

(1893–1981), American actor * Richard D. McCullough (born 1959), American chemist, entrepreneur, and university president * Robert McCullough (disambiguation), several people * Saladin McCullough (born 1975), American football player *

Shanna McCullough Shanna McCullough (born April 1, 1960) is an American pornographic actress. Early life McCullough grew up in San Francisco, California. At school, she was involved with the theater group, and acted in drama and musicals. She went to college ...

(born 1960), American adult film star * Suli McCullough (born 1968), American comic-actor and writer * Sultan McCullough (born 1980), National Football League running back *

Wayne McCullough Wayne Pocket Rocket McCullough (born Wayne William McCullough; 7 July 1970) is a former professional boxer from Northern Ireland who competed from 1993 to 2008. He held the WBC bantamweight title from 1995 to 1997, becoming the first boxer f ...

(born 1970), Northern Irish boxer * William McCullough (disambiguation), several people

References

{{surname Surnames Surnames of Irish origin Anglicised Irish-language surnames

List of people with the surname

See also

References