Contents [hide]

McLaughlin History Etymology Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables World Ranking

Ireland United States Australia New Zealand West Indies

Contemporary Notables Historic Events Related Stories Motto Sources

McLaughlin History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Ireland
Scotland
England

Etymology of McLaughlin

What does the name McLaughlin mean?

The McLaughlin family history stretches back to the clans of the Dalriadan kingdom on the sea-swept Hebrides islands and mountainous western coast of Scotland. The name McLaughlin is derived from the personal name Lachlann. The Gaelic form of the name is Mac Lachlainn, denoting the son of Lachlann. Although most feel Lachlan Mor, a great Chief who lived by Loch Fyne in the thirteenth century, is the Clan founder, the legend of descent from the ancient Gaelic King, Niall of the Nine Hostages, who reigned in 400 AD, offers some clues as to the clan's early origins.

Lochlann, in old Gaelic means literally, 'Norway,' and was the favorite Christian name of the royal house of O'Neill in Northern Ireland, a house descended from Niall of the Nine hostages, and said to be the family with the oldest history in Europe. A branch of the O'Neill's took the surname MacLochlain and soon became rival Kings to the O'Neills.

King Brian O'Neill slew the last King Domnall MacLochlainn. His son Anrothan, who was ancestor of the MacLachlans in Scotland, married the daughter of the King of Scots, thereby gaining the inheritance of Cowall and Knapdale in Scotland. Anrothan MacLachlan was progenitor of the MacLachlans of Strathlachlan, the Lamonts, the Lyons, the MacSorleys, the MacEwans, and the MacMillans. It was in the mid-twelfth century that each of these branches separated into distinct entities.

Early Origins of the McLaughlin family

The surname McLaughlin was first found in Argyllshire (Gaelic erra Ghaidheal), the region of western Scotland corresponding roughly with the ancient Kingdom of Dál Riata, in the Strathclyde region of Scotland, now part of the Council Area of Argyll and Bute, where this Clan first settled in Scotland in 1100 when Lachlan was heir of Fergus, Lord of Galloway. In 1238, a charter recorded Lachlan Mor's father increasing the endowment to Paisley Abbey.

When, in 1292, King John Baliol erected Argyll into a sheriffdom, Gillescop MacLachlan was one of the twelve principal barons whose land it encompassed. In 1296, Ewen MacLachlan was forced to swear loyalty to the English King Edward I, but this loyalty was formally changed back to Scotland in 1305, when Gillescop MacLachlan, like his neighbors the Campbells, swore allegiance to Robert the Bruce. Gillescop was a member of the Barons of Bruce's first parliament at St. Andrews, in 1308. 1

King John of England (reigned: 1199-1216) was also known as John Lackland from the Norman French, "Johan sanz Terre" or "John without land."

Early History of the McLaughlin family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our McLaughlin research. Another 104 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1292, 1600 and 1890 are included under the topic Early McLaughlin History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

McLaughlin Spelling Variations

Spelling in the medieval era was a highly imprecise process. Translation, particularly from Gaelic to English, was little better. For these reasons, early Scottish names are rife with spelling variations. In various documents McLaughlin has been spelled MacLachlan, Lachlan, MacLachlane, McGlothan, McGlothin, MacLauchlan, MacLauchlane, MacLauchlin, MacLaughlin, Lauchlan and many more.

Early Notables of the McLaughlin family

More information is included under the topic Early McLaughlin Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

McLaughlin World Ranking

In the United States, the name McLaughlin is the 440^th most popular surname with an estimated 64,662 people with that name. 2 However, in Canada, the name McLaughlin is ranked the 406^th most popular surname with an estimated 11,451 people with that name. 3 And in Australia, the name McLaughlin is the 740^th popular surname with an estimated 5,268 people with that name. 4 New Zealand ranks McLaughlin as 533^rd with 1,304 people. 5 The United Kingdom ranks McLaughlin as 425^th with 15,271 people. 6

Migration of the McLaughlin family to Ireland

Some of the McLaughlin family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 66 words (5 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

McLaughlin migration to the United States +

Settlers from Scotland put down roots in communities all along the east coast of North America. Some moved north from the American colonies to Canada as United Empire Loyalists during the American War of Independence. As Clan societies and highland games started in North America in the 20th century many Scots rediscovered parts of their heritage. Early North American records indicate many people bearing the name McLaughlin were among those contributors:

McLaughlin Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Charles McLaughlin, who landed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1746 7

McLaughlin Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Dennis McLaughlin, aged 25, who arrived in New York in 1812 7
Duncan McLaughlin, aged 31, who landed in New York in 1812 7
Alexander McLaughlin, aged 24, who arrived in Maryland in 1813 7
George McLaughlin, who arrived in America in 1818 7
Mary McLaughlin, who landed in Illinois in 1818 7
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

McLaughlin Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Carl McLaughlin, who landed in Alabama in 1924 7
Clayton Hudson McLaughlin, who arrived in Alabama in 1925 7

McLaughlin migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

McLaughlin Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Mr. Alexander McLaughlin U.E. who settled in Eastern District [Cornwall], Ontario c. 1784 8
Mr. Daniel McLaughlin U.E. who settled in St. Andrews, Charlotte County, New Brunswick c. 1784 8
Mr. Edward McLaughlin U.E. who settled in Home District [York County], Ontario c. 1784 8
Mr. James McLaughlin U.E. who settled in Home District [York County], Ontario c. 1784 8
Mr. James McLaughlin U.E. who settled in Home District, Louth [Niagara], Ontario c. 1784 8
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

McLaughlin Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Margaret McLaughlin, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1817
Daniel McLaughlin, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1818
Mary A. McLaughlin, aged 16, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the brig "Dorcas Savage" from Belfast, Ireland
Polly McLaughlin, aged 24, a widow, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the brig "Ugoni" from Belfast, Ireland
Patrick McLaughlin, aged 6, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the brig "Ugoni" from Belfast, Ireland
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

McLaughlin migration to Australia +

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

McLaughlin Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. Benjamin Mclaughlin, (McLaughlan, Bernard, McLoghlin, McLoughlan), (b. 1794), aged 25, Irish seaman from Donegal who was convicted in Lancaster, Lancashire, England for life, transported aboard the "Canada" on 23rd April 1819, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 9
Mr. Michael Mclaughlin, English labourer who was convicted in Westmorland (Cumbria), England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Atlas" on 27th April 1833, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 10
Mr. James McLaughlin, (b. 1805), aged 36, Irish farm labourer from Donegal, Ireland departing on 8th July 1841 from Greenock, Scotland aboard the ship "New York Packet" arriving in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia on 23rd October 1841 11
Mrs. Ann McLaughlin, (b. 1808), aged 33, Irish servant from Donegal, Ireland departing on 8th July 1841 from Greenock, Scotland aboard the ship "New York Packet" arriving in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia on 23rd October 1841 12
Mr. William McLaughlin, (b. 1823), aged 18, Irish farm labourer from Donegal, Ireland departing on 8th July 1841 from Greenock, Scotland aboard the ship "New York Packet" arriving in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia on 23rd October 1841 13
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

McLaughlin migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

McLaughlin Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

B.D. McLaughlin, aged 28, a labourer, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Ariel" in 1856
Miss Mary Mclaughlin, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Martaban" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 8th October 1856 14
Mr. Robert McLaughlin, South African settler travelling from Cape Town aboard the ship "Eveline" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 22nd January 1865 14
William G. McLaughlin, aged 21, a farm labourer, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Forfarshire" in 1873 15
Mary McLaughlin, aged 40, a servant, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Queen of Nations" in 1874
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name McLaughlin (post 1700) +

William T. McLaughlin, American Democratic Party politician, Candidate for Iowa State House of Representatives from Union County, 1950
William V. McLaughlin, American politician, Prohibition Candidate for U.S. Representative from Vermont 2nd District, 1908
William H. McLaughlin, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from New York, 1920
William J. III McLaughlin, American Democratic Party politician, Member of Pennsylvania State Senate 6th District, 1965-66
William H. McLaughlin, American politician, Member of New York State Assembly from Kings County 2nd District, 1886-89
William F. McLaughlin, American Republican politician, Candidate for Michigan State House of Representatives from Macomb County 2nd District, 1962; Delegate to Republican National Convention from Michigan
William F. McLaughlin, American Republican politician, Candidate for U.S. Representative from New York 37th District, 1972
Walter W. McLaughlin, American Democratic Party politician, University of Illinois trustee, 1943-51
Walter H. McLaughlin (b. 1869), American politician, Member of Minnesota State House of Representatives 18th District, 1915-18
W. G. McLaughlin, American Democratic Party politician, Member of North Carolina State House of Representatives from Mecklenburg County, 1909-14
... (Another 176 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the McLaughlin family +

Halifax Explosion

Master Edward McLaughlin (1913-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 16
Mr. D McLaughlin (1887-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 16
Master Raymond J. McLaughlin (1917-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 16

Lady of the Lake

Miss Bridget McLaughlin (b. 1814), Irish labourer from Culdaff, Ireland who sailed aboard the "Lady of the Lake" from Greenock, Scotland on 8th April 1833 to Quebec, Canada when the ship hit ice and sunk of the coast of Newfoundland on the 11th May 1833 and she died in the sinking
Mr. Patrick McLaughlin (b. 1809), Irish shoemaker from Malin Head, Ireland who sailed aboard the "Lady of the Lake" from Greenock, Scotland on 8th April 1833 to Quebec, Canada when the ship hit ice and sunk of the coast of Newfoundland on the 11th May 1833 and he died in the sinking
Mr. James McLaughlin (b. 1810), Irish tailor from Malin Head, Ireland who sailed aboard the "Lady of the Lake" from Greenock, Scotland on 8th April 1833 to Quebec, Canada when the ship hit ice and sunk of the coast of Newfoundland on the 11th May 1833 and he died in the sinking
Mr. Thomas McLaughlin, Irish labourer from Castletown, Ireland who sailed aboard the "Lady of the Lake" from Greenock, Scotland on 8th April 1833 to Quebec, Canada when the ship hit ice and sunk of the coast of Newfoundland on the 11th May 1833 and he died in the sinking

North Sea Flood

Patrick Joseph McLaughlin, British traveler aboard the ferry "Princess Victoria" killed in the North Sea Flood, a major storm surge in 1953
R. McLaughlin, British traveler aboard the ferry "Princess Victoria" killed in the North Sea Flood, a major storm surge in 1953

Pan Am Flight 103 (Lockerbie)

Bernard Joseph McLaughlin (1958-1988), American Marketing Manager from Cranston, Rhode Island, America, who flew aboard the Pan Am Flight 103 from Frankfurt to Detroit, known as the Lockerbie bombing in 1988 and died 17

SS Caribou

Mr. E. McLaughlin, British passenger who was Royal Navy was travelling aboard the railway ferry "SS Caribou" when it was struck by a German submarine torpedo on 14th October 1942, the most significant sinking in Canadian waters at that time, he survived the sinking

The McLaughlin Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Fortis et fidus
Motto Translation: Brave and trusty.

Sources +

Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
"Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
"Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
"Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
"UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
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)
Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 9th December 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/canada
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 14th July 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/atlas
Ship Voyages to New South Wales (Retrieved 18th November 2020). Retrieved from http://indexes.records.nsw.gov.au/ebook/list.aspx?Page=NRS5316/4_4782/New%20York%20Packet_23%20Oct%201841/4_478200095.jpg&No=139
Ship Voyages to New South Wales (Retrieved 18th November 2020). Retrieved from http://indexes.records.nsw.gov.au/ebook/list.aspx?Page=NRS5316/4_4782/New%20York%20Packet_23%20Oct%201841/4_478200095.jpg&No=140
Ship Voyages to New South Wales (Retrieved 18th November 2020). Retrieved from http://indexes.records.nsw.gov.au/ebook/list.aspx?Page=NRS5316/4_4782/New%20York%20Packet_23%20Oct%201841/4_478200095.jpg&No=217
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 6th November 2011). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
Halifax Explosion Book of Remembrance | Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. (Retrieved 2014, June 23) . Retrieved from https://maritimemuseum.novascotia.ca/what-see-do/halifax-explosion/halifax-explosion-book-remembrance
Pan Am Flight 103's victims: A list of those killed 25 years ago | syracuse.com. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2013/12/pan_am_flight_103s_victims_a_list_of_those_killed_25_years_ago.html