MacLaughlin History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Ireland
Scotland
England

There are many Irish surnames being used today in forms that are quite different than their original, ancient forms. MacLaughlin 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 MacLaughlin family

The surname MacLaughlin 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 MacLaughlin family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our MacLaughlin 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 MacLaughlin History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

MacLaughlin Spelling Variations

Those scribes in Ireland during the Middle Ages recorded names as they sounded. Consequently, in this era many people were recorded under different spellings each time their name was written down. Research on the MacLaughlin family name revealed numerous spelling variations, including MacLoughlin, McLoughlin, MacGloughlin, Lochlain, Claughan and many more.

Early Notables of the MacLaughlin family

Notable amongst the family name at this time was Cearbhall mac Lochlainn Ó Dálaigh (died 1404), an Irish poet, Chief Ollam of Ireland (1387-1405); Paidin mac Lochlainn Ó Mailchonaire (died 1506), an Irish poet; Charles Macklin (1699-1797), originally Cathal MacLochlainn in Irish, or Charles McLaughlin...
Another 45 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early MacLaughlin Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

MacLaughlin migration to the United States +

A massive amount of Ireland's native population left the island in the 19th century for North America and Australia in hopes of finding more opportunities and an escape from discrimination and oppression. A great portion of these migrants arrived on the eastern shores of the North American continent. Although they were generally poor and destitute, and, therefore, again discriminated against, these Irish people were heartily welcomed for the hard labor involved in the construction of railroads, canals, roadways, and buildings. Many others were put to work in the newly established factories or agricultural projects that were so essential to the development of what would become two of the wealthiest nations in the world. The Great Potato Famine during the late 1840s initiated the largest wave of Iris immigration. Early North American immigration and passenger lists have revealed a number of people bearing the name MacLaughlin or a variant listed above:

MacLaughlin Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

William MacLaughlin, who arrived in Maryland in 1648 1

MacLaughlin Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Jeremiah MacLaughlin, who settled in Virginia in 1749

MacLaughlin Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Ann MacLaughlin, who arrived in New York, NY in 1811 1
Benj MacLaughlin, who arrived in New York, NY in 1811 1
Biddy MacLaughlin, who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1811 1
Philip MacLaughlin, who arrived in New York, NY in 1811 1
Elea MacLaughlin, who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1811 1
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

MacLaughlin migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

MacLaughlin Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. James MacLaughlin, English convict who was convicted in Liverpool, Merseyside, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Eden" on 30th September 1848, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Island) 2

Contemporary Notables of the name MacLaughlin (post 1700) +

John MacLaughlin (1890-1961), American fencer at the 1912 Summer Olympics
Don MacLaughlin (1906-1986), American soap opera actor, best known for his role as the lawyer Chris Hughes on As the World Turns in 1956, which he played until his death
Harry Hunter MacLaughlin (1927-2005), United States federal judge on the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota

Citations +

Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 15th November 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/eden