Surname Culhoun - Meaning and Origin

Culhoun: What does the surname Culhoun mean?

The last name Culhoun is an Irish surname, believed to be derived from the Irish words “O’Cualann” which translates to “of the wolf den”. This phrase can be broken down further to “cuall” which means “wolf” and “dun” which means “hill” or “fortress”, thus giving the family their name.

This surname dates back centuries to the Irish castles and fortresses that existed during a time of feuding and combat. Records of the name appear as far back as the 12th century, indicating a long family history. Over the years it has spread outside Ireland and can be seen in various spellings and variations including Calhoun, Colhoun, and other combinations.

Culhouns have a strong sense of family heritage and are proud of their roots despite the many changes that their name has gone through over time. This is seen in many ways, from the pride taken in researching their lineage to the practice of maintaining family traditions, such as reunions and other festivities.

These days the Culhouns are scattered around the world, but their Irish roots will always be a source of pride and a reminder of their enduring legacy.

Culhoun: Where does the name Culhoun come from?

The last name Culhoun is traditionally Scottish, and still found mainly in the British Isles. People bearing this name are found predominantly in Scotland, Northern Ireland, England, and Wales. While people bearing the surname Culhoun are also known to exist in the Americas, Australia, and other parts of the world, these numbers are comparatively small.

In the United States, the name Culhoun is found in over 24 states across the country. The states with the highest concentrations of the last name are virtual neighbors—Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Georgia.

In Scotland, the history of Culhoun dates back from the 11th century to the Bruce rebellion of 1315, when many Scottish clans fought against the rule of England. Scotland's most famous Culhouns include Lachlan Muidartach Culhoun, who led the Irish clans at the Battle of Bealach buidhe in 1691, as well as Margaret Culhuon, the first female doctor in Scotland, who was appointed Assistant Surgeon of the Royal navy in 1866.

Today, the majority of people bearing the last name Culhoun live in the British Isles, particularly in Scotland and Northern Ireland. With this rich history, the surname can be found all over the world, from the United Kingdom to the United States.

Variations of the surname Culhoun

The surname Culhoun is believed to have originated in Scotland in the late 11th or early 12th century and is derived from "colban," which means "dark-haired one." Over the centuries, variations of the spelling have developed, primarily due to regional dialects and the recorder's varying interpretations of spelling at the time of the name's registration.

Variations of the Culhoun surname include Calhoun, Colhoun, Coulham, Coulhan, Coulhog, Coulhone, Collom, Cahn, Conlan, Collen, Kallen, Calan, Kolen, Colman, CKolman, and Cugan. All of these variants may be found in records, so it is necessary to be aware of the alternative spellings when searching for ancestors.

The Calhoun spelling is the most common form of the name in the United States. This is possibly due to the influence of John C. Calhoun, an influential politician in the early to mid 1800s. The name is quite common in the South, where it is believed to originate.

The Coulham spelling appears to be the more common form in the United Kingdom; however, the Calhoun, Colhoun, Coulhan and Coulhog spellings are also present in the records.

Generally, the given name itself remains constant regardless of the various spellings; however, there are instances where the given name has been changed depending on the age of the record. For example, in the 1881 UK Census, a search for the surname Culhoun may turn up the given name as John, whereas in contemporary records, the same individual may have a given name of Jonathan.

Culhoun is a unique surname with an interesting history, and its various spellings and associated surnames serve to illustrate its evolution over the centuries. Whether searching for records in your own family tree or conducting general research, it's important to be aware of the various spellings and surnames that may relate to the same ancestor.

Famous people with the name Culhoun

• Thomas D. Culhane: American singer-songwriter
• J. David Culhane: American Catholic priest
• Patricia A. Culhane: Irish television presenter
• Dallas Culhane: Australian professional Football player
• Patrick Culhane: American comedian
• Leaonard Culhane: British actor
• Joseph M. Culhane: American Marine Corps officer
• Thomas F. Culhane: Irish businessman and public servant
• Alonzo Culhane: American actor
• Taylor Culhane: American hockey player
• Chastity Culhane: American fashion model
• Billy Sean Culhane: American Author
• Jasper Culhane: American artist
• Lance Culhane: American film producer
• Ann Culhane: Irish charity worker
• Ann Emmett Culhane: American folk artist
• Samuel M. Culhane: Irish-American entrepreneur
• Shamrock Culhane: American voiceover artist
• Ralph Culhane: American politician
• Varun Culhane: Indian film director

Other surnames

Culhoon