An Irish surname meaning 'son of Lochlainn' (a Norse personal name). Commonly found among Irish-American families.
From Irish Gaelic 'Mac Lochlainn', meaning 'son of Lochlainn'. Lochlainn was a Norse name meaning 'from the land of lakes', brought to Ireland by Viking settlers who later integrated into Gaelic society.
McLaughlin beautifully illustrates Ireland's complex history - a Gaelic surname structure ('Mac' meaning 'son of') combined with a Norse personal name, showing how Viking invaders eventually became part of Irish culture. The name literally means 'son of the Viking from the lake country'.
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