Show ContentsClaughlin History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

There are many Irish surnames being used today in forms that are quite different than their original, ancient forms. Claughlin originally appeared in Gaelic as Mac Lochlainn or Ó Maoilsheachlainn. The first name is derived from a Norse personal name, while the second name originally designated a follower of St. Secundinus.

Early Origins of the Claughlin family

The surname Claughlin was first found in County Meath (Irish: An Mhí) anciently part of the kingdom of Brega, located in Eastern Ireland, in the province of Leinster, where they held a family seat from very ancient times, long before the Norman Conquest of England in 1066 A.D.

Muircheartach Mac Lochlainn (died 1166), was king of Tír Eoghain, and High King of Ireland (c.1156-1166.) Together with sixteen of his closest allies, he was killed and was succeeded by Ruaidrí Ua Conchobair.

Niall Mac Lochlainn (died 1176) was a king of Cenél nEógain and Cenél Conaill, son of Muirchertach Mac Lochlainn.

Early History of the Claughlin family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Claughlin research. Another 68 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1002, 1172, 1387, 1404, 1405, 1506, 1699, 1784, 1797 and 1857 are included under the topic Early Claughlin History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Claughlin Spelling Variations

A name was often recorded during the Middle Ages under several different spelling variations during the life of its bearer because literacy was rare there was no real push to clearly define any of the languages found in the British Isles at that time. Variations found of the name Claughlin include MacLoughlin, McLoughlin, MacGloughlin, Lochlain, Claughan and many more.

Early Notables of the Claughlin family

Notable amongst the family name at this time was

  • Charles Macklin (1699-1797), originally Cathal MacLochlainn in Irish, or Charles McLaughlin in English, an Irish actor and dramatist born in County Donegal, who performed extensively at the Theatre Ro...

Migration of the Claughlin family

Ireland became inhospitable for many native Irish families in the 19th centuries. Poverty, lack of opportunities, high rents, and discrimination forced thousands to leave the island for North America. The largest exodus of Irish settlers occurred with the Great Potato Famine of the late 1840s. For these immigrants the journey to British North America and the United States was long and dangerous and many did not live to see the shores of those new lands. Those who did make it were essential to the development of what would become two of the wealthiest and most powerful nations of the world. These Irish immigrants were not only important for peopling the new settlements and cities, they also provided the manpower needed for the many industrial and agricultural projects so essential to these growing nations. Immigration and passenger lists have documented the arrival of various people bearing the name Claughlin to North America: Thomas, Bridget, Catherine and Helen MacLoughlin who settled in Quebec in 1849; Bernard, Charles, Denis, Hugh, James, John, Michael, Patrick, Thomas and William MacLoughlin all arrived in Philadelphia between 1823 and 1860. The family also settled in Newfoundland between 1792 and 1872..



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