Cullen is a surname of Irish and Gaelic origin. Considered by many to mean "handsome," Cullen is better linked to the Ancient Gaelic name Cuileannain which means "son of the holy one." It is thought to be derived from the pre 8th century Old Gaelic name O' Cuileannain or Ó Cuilinn, with the prefix O' indicating a male descendant of, plus the personal byname Cuilleannain. The name seems to be related to Cullinane. While Cullen is encountered primarily in

Dublin Dublin (; , or ) is the capital and largest city of Republic of Ireland, Ireland. On a bay at the mouth of the River Liffey, it is in the Provinces of Ireland, province of Leinster, bordered on the south by the Dublin Mountains, a part of th ...

and southeast Ireland, Cullinan/Cullinane used almost exclusively in western Ireland on a north–south-Axis from

Galway Galway ( ; ga, Gaillimh, ) is a City status in Ireland, city in the West Region, Ireland, West of Ireland, in the Provinces of Ireland, province of Connacht, which is the county town of County Galway. It lies on the River Corrib between Lo ...

Cork Cork or CORK may refer to: Materials * Cork (material), an impermeable buoyant plant product ** Cork (plug), a cylindrical or conical object used to seal a container ***Wine cork Places Ireland * Cork (city) ** Metropolitan Cork, also known as G ...

. A distribution map of the name has been processed on a

genealogy Genealogy () is the study of families, family history, and the tracing of their lineages. Genealogists use oral interviews, historical records, genetic analysis, and other records to obtain information about a family and to demonstrate kins ...

site.http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~tullycorker/cullenmarked.gif Cullen is also found as an ancient surname in Scotland and England; an example being the Baronets Cullen.

Notable people

* Adam Cullen, Australian artist * Alexander Lamb Cullen (1920–2013), British electrical engineer *

Alice Cullen (politician) Alice Cullen, (née McLaughlin; 18 March 1891 – 31 May 1969) was a Scottish Labour Party politician. She was the first female Roman Catholic Member of Parliament. Early life Educated at Lochwinnoch Elementary School, Cullen was a hous ...

, UK politician * Archibald Howard Cullen, bishop of Grahamstown, South Africa *

Bill Cullen William Lawrence Francis Cullen (February 18, 1920 – July 7, 1990) was an American radio and television personality whose career spanned five decades. His biggest claim to fame was as a game show host; over the course of his career, he host ...

, American game show host *

Bill Cullen (businessman) William Cullen (born 17 February 1942) is an Irish businessman and media personality. He is regularly seen on RTÉ programmes such as ''The Late Late Show (Irish talk show), The Late Late Show'' and ''The Frontline (Irish TV series), The Frontl ...

, Irish businessman and philanthropist * Brett Cullen, American actor *

Bud Cullen Jack Sydney George "Bud" Cullen, (April 20, 1927 – July 5, 2005) was a Canadian Federal Court judge and politician. Early years Born in Creighton Mine, Ontario, Cullen was given the nickname of Bud by his mother when he was a young boy. ...

, Canadian Federal Court judge *

Charles Cullen Charles Edmund Cullen (born February 22, 1960) is an American serial killer. Cullen, a nurse, murdered dozens – possibly hundreds – of patients during a 16-year career spanning several New Jersey medical centers, until being arrested in 200 ...

, nurse and serial killer * Christian Cullen, New Zealand rugby player *

Countee Cullen Countee Cullen (born Countee LeRoy Porter; May 30, 1903 – January 9, 1946) was an American poet, novelist, children's writer, and playwright, particularly well known during the Harlem Renaissance. Early life Childhood Countee LeRoy Porter ...

, African American poet of the Harlem Renaissance *

Dan Cullen Daniel James Cullen (born 10 April 1984) is a former Australian first-class cricketer who played for South Australia and Somerset in a career that lasted from 2004 to 2009. He was a right-arm off break bowler who appeared six times for Austra ...

, Australian cricketer *

Danny Cullen Danny Cullen (born 1987/8) is a hurler. He plays for Setanta, the Donegal county team and the Ireland national team. He has won three Nicky Rackard Cups and represented Ireland against Scotland in the Shinty-Hurling International Series ...

, Irish hurler *

Edgar M. Cullen Edgar Montgomery Cullen (1843 – 1922) was an American lawyer, judge, and politician from the state of New York. Cullen is best remembered as the Chief Judge of the New York Court of Appeals from 1904 to 1913. Biography Early years Edgar Mo ...

, Chief Judge of the New York Court of Appeals, 1904–1913 * Eric Cullen, Scottish comedy actor *

Francis Cullen Francis Thomas Cullen, Jr. (born March 2, 1951) is an American criminologist and Distinguished Research Professor Emeritus at the University of Cincinnati's School of Criminal Justice. Education and career Born in Boston, Massachusetts in 1951, C ...

, American criminologist *

Geoff Cullen Geoffrey Ian Cullen (born 16 March 1977) is a former professional Australian cricketer who played a single match for Western Australia during the 2000–01 season. From Perth, Cullen played matches for the state second XI and colts teams from th ...

(born 1977), Australian cricketer *

Gordon Cullen Thomas Gordon Cullen (9 August 1914 – 11 August 1994) was an influential British architect and urban designer who was a key motivator in the Townscape movement. Cullen presented a new theory and methodology for urban visual analysis and design b ...

, English architect * Helen F. Cullen (1919–2007), American mathematician * Hugh Roy Cullen, American oil businessman and philanthropist * Ian Cullen (1939–2019), British actor *

Jack Cullen John Patrick Cullen (born October 6, 1939 in Newark, New Jersey) is an American retired professional baseball player. The right-handed pitcher appeared in 19 games in Major League Baseball as a member of the New York Yankees (1962, 1965–66). ...

, American baseball pitcher *

James Cullen (mathematician) Father James Cullen, S.J. (19 April 1867 – 7 December 1933) was born at Drogheda, County Louth, Ireland. He was born at 89 West Street, Drogheda, to Michael Cullen, a baker, and Catherine McDonough. Initially, he was educated privatel ...

, described Cullen numbers *

James Cullen (PTAA) James Aloysius Cullen (23 October 1841 New Ross County Wexford - 6 December 1921 Dublin) was an Irish Catholic priest who founded the Irish ''Messenger of the Sacred Heart'' and the Pioneer Total Abstinence Association (PTAA) Life James Aloysi ...

, founder of the Pioneer Total Abstinence Association * James P. Cullen, US brigadier general *

Jane Lunnon Jane Teresa Lunnon (born 1969) is an English schoolteacher and headmistress, currently head of Alleyn's School, Dulwich, and previously of Wimbledon High School. Before that, Lunnon was Deputy Head of Wellington College, Berkshire. Early life Lu ...

, maiden name Cullen (born 1969), English headmistress *

Joe Cullen (American football) Joe Cullen (born December 15, 1967) is an American football coach who is the defensive line coach for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League (NFL). He previously served as the defensive line coach for the Baltimore Ravens, Tampa ...

, American football coach * Joe Cullen (darts player) (born 1989), English darts player * John Cullen (disambiguation), several people *

Jonathan Cullen Jonathan Cullen (born 1960) is a British actor of stage, film and television. Personal life Born in Newcastle upon Tyne, Northumberland, Cullen's father was Tony Cullen, a founding member of the Northern Sinfonia. He was educated at the Royal ...

, English actor *

Joseph Cullen Joseph Francis Cullen (1 February 1849 – 31 March 1917), Australian journalist and politician, was a Member of Parliament in New South Wales and Western Australia. Born in Jamberoo, New South Wales around 1849, Joseph Cullen was the son of f ...

, Australian politician *

Leo Cullen (rugby union) Leo Francis Matthew Cullen (born 9 January 1978) is an Irish rugby coach and former professional rugby union player. He played at lock for Leinster Rugby and Ireland. He was appointed coach of Leinster rugby on 19 August 2015. Early life and e ...

, Irish rugby player *

Lori Cullen Lori Cullen is a Canadian pop and jazz singer-songwriter.

, Canadian singer-songwriter *

Matt Cullen Matthew David Cullen (born November 2, 1976) is an American former professional ice hockey center who played 21 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) with eight teams between 1997 and 2019 with. Cullen won the Stanley Cup three times durin ...

, NHL hockey player *

Martin Cullen Martin Cullen (born 2 November 1954) is an Irish former Fianna Fáil politician who served as Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism from 2008 to 2010, Minister for Social and Family Affairs from 2007 to 2008, Minister for Transport from 2004 to ...

, Irish politician *

Maurice Cullen (boxer) Maurice Cullen (30 December 1937 – November 2001) was an English lightweight boxer, who held the British Lightweight Title, defending it four times. Boxing style Cullen had a style that very much centred round his left jab. He had problems w ...

, English boxer * Michael Cullen (disambiguation), several people *

Mick Cullen Michael Joseph Cullen (born 3 July 1931) is a Scottish former footballer, most noted as a player for Luton Town and Grimsby Town. Playing career Cullen was born in Glasgow. At the age of 17, he signed for English Second Division side Luton Tow ...

, Scottish footballer *

Mortimer A. Cullen Mortimer Aloysius Cullen (January 15, 1891 – June 26, 1954) was an American politician from New York. Life He was born on January 15, 1891, in Harvel, Illinois. He attended school and high school in St. Johnsville, New York. In 1913, he went to ...

(1891–1954), New York politician *

Nathan Cullen Nathan Cullen (born July 13, 1972) is a Canadian politician. A member of the New Democratic Party (NDP), he is the Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) for Stikine in British Columbia. He has served in the Executive Council of British Columb ...

, Canadian Member of Parliament *

Nigel Cullen Richard Nigel Cullen, (5 June 1917 – 4 March 1941) was an Australian fighter ace of World War II. Serving with the Royal Air Force (RAF), he was credited with as many as sixteen aerial victories before being killed in action d ...

(1917–1941), Australian fighter ace *

Nora Cullen Nora Cullen (1905–1990) was an Argentine actress. Cullen starred in several films with director Leonardo Favio, including '' El dependiente'' (1969), '' Nazareno Cruz y el Lobo'' (1975) and '' Soñar, soñar'' (1976). For her performance opposi ...

(1905–1990), Argentine actress * John Michael Cullen, Australian ornithologist *

Paul Cullen (bishop) Paul Cardinal Cullen (29 April 1803 – 24 October 1878) was Roman Catholic Archbishop of Dublin and previously of Armagh, and the first Irish cardinal. His Ultramontanism spearheaded the Romanisation of the Catholic Church in Ireland and us ...

, 19th-century Irish cardinal *

Paul Cullen (rugby league) Paul Cullen (born 4 March 1963) is an English professional rugby league football coach and former player. He was the Director of Rugby at Widnes Vikings of the Super League after being the club's head coach prior to promotion from the Champions ...

, rugby coach * Peter Cullen, voice actor, Optimus Prime in Transformers *

Philippa Cullen Philippa Ann Cullen (24 March 1950 – 3 July 1975) was an Australian dancer, choreographer, teacher and performance artist who was notable for her innovative dance performances incorporating the use of the theremin and the development of movemen ...

, Australian performance artist *

Robert Cullen (footballer) is a former Japanese footballer of Irish descent. Club career Cullen is a forward, Cullen made his senior football debut for Júbilo Iwata on 5 May 2004, Oita Trinita being the opponent. Cullen started training in the youth ranks at Kashiwa Re ...

, Irish-Japanese football player *

Sarah Cullen Sarah Cullen (6 October 1949 – 22 January 2012) was a British radio and television journalist who worked for ITN, as well as BBC Radio 4's ''Today'' programme. Remembered for her red hair and volatile temperament, Cullen forged a reputation ...

, British television journalist *

Seán Cullen Seán Cullen (born August 29, 1965) is a Canadian actor and stand-up comedian. He is known for combining improvisation with mimicry and music. He is known for providing voices of characters in shows like ''Best Ed'', ''Seven Little Monsters,'' a ...

, Canadian comedian *

Thomas H. Cullen Thomas Henry Cullen (March 29, 1868 – March 1, 1944) was an American businessman and politician from New York who served thirteen terms in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1919 to 1944. Biography Born in Brooklyn, Cullen attended the ...

, United States Representative *

Tim Cullen Timothy Leo Cullen (born February 16, 1942) is a former infielder in Major League Baseball who played for the Washington Senators (1966–67, 1968–71), Chicago White Sox (1968) and Oakland Athletics (1972). He batted and threw right-handed. ...

, American baseball player *

Timothy Cullen (Wisconsin politician) Timothy Cullen (born February 25, 1944) is an American politician and former Majority Leader of the Wisconsin Senate. He represented the Janesville-based 15th District between 2011 and 2015, and previously from 1975 through 1987. Early life, ...

, American state senator *

Tina Cullen Christina Louise "Tina" Cullen MBE (born 1 March 1970 in Stockport, Cheshire) is a field hockey player from England. Cullen has represented Great Britain in two consecutive Summer Olympics, starting in 1996 when the team finished in fourth pl ...

, English hockey player * William Cullen, Baron Cullen of Whitekirk (born 1935), Lord President of Scotland's Court of Session

Fictional characters

* Edward Cullen, character in the

Twilight Twilight is light produced by sunlight scattering in the upper atmosphere, when the Sun is below the horizon, which illuminates the lower atmosphere and the Earth's surface. The word twilight can also refer to the periods of time when this il ...

series by Stephenie Meyer *

Linden Cullen Linden Cullen is a fictional character from the BBC medical drama '' Holby City'', portrayed by actor Duncan Pow. He made his first appearance in the series ten episode "Stolen", broadcast on 15 January 2008. The character was the head of Holb ...

* Cullen Rutherford, character in the fantasy role-playing video game ''

Dragon Age ''Dragon Age'' is a media franchise centered on a series of fantasy role-playing video games created and developed by BioWare, which have seen releases on the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Microsoft Windows, OS X, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One. Th ...

'' * Cullen Bohannon, character in the western drama ‘’ Hell on Wheels

References

External links

Cullen Surname Origins
by Jim Cullen {{surname, Cullen English-language surnames Anglicised Irish-language surnames Surnames of Irish origin

Notable people

Fictional characters

See also

References

External links