The history of the name McLaughlin in Ireland

Started by Renee McGovern on Saturday, February 27, 2010
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The McLaughlin Name in Irish History

A description of the history of the McLaughlin name, distributed in Ireland, contains this account:

Name in Gaelic: O Maoilsheachlainn [Descendant of Maoilsheachlainn, meaning devotee of St. Secundinus] Mac Lochlainn [Son of Lochlainn, men of the lakes].

McLaughlin is the surname born by descendants of two ancient Irish septs [clans], both of illustrious lineage, stemming from Niall of the Nine Hostagaes, King of Ireland from 379 to 406. County Meath was the homeland of the O Maoilsheachlainn sept. . . . Down to the Anglo-Norman invasion in the late 12th century, the McLaughlins were able to retain their title of King of Meath. However, their power was greatly diminished when the county was granted to Hugh de Lacy. . . . So completely devastated by the 17th century confiscations was this once royal family, that in the outlawries or attainders of 1691, only one of the name, Maolseachlin O'Melaghlin, was listed. Since that time, those remaining in their ancestryl territory have adopted the spellings McLaughlin and McLoughlin.

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