McMullen is a surname with predominantly Irish origins but also with some Scottish history. It derives from root forenames such as: Maolain, Maelan "Hillock" and Meallain "Pleasant". All of these forenames have over time evolved to the collateral "Son of Maolain", anglicised McMullen.

Notable people with the surname include:

  • Adam McMullen (1872–1959), 21st governor of Nebraska
  • Billy McMullen (born 1980), American football player
  • Brett James McMullen (fl. 1980s–2010s), U.S. Air Force brigadier general
  • Catherine Cookson (1906–1998), English author who published in the United States under her maiden name Catherine McMullen
  • Clements McMullen (1892–1959), U.S. Air Force major general
  • Curtis T. McMullen (born 1958), American mathematician
  • Darren McMullen (born 1982), Scottish-Australian television and radio personality
  • David L. McMullen, British sinologist
  • Donald McMullen (1891–1967), British Army major general
  • Frances Drewry McMullen (1898–1995), American journalist and school psychologist
  • James McMullen (1833–1913), Canadian politician
  • John McMullen (disambiguation)
  • Mal McMullen (1927–1995), American professional basketball player
  • Michael McMullen, South Australian architect, designer of Marryatville, South Australia#The Acacias and many other notable buildings in Adelaide
  • Mike McMullen (born 1973), American football player
  • Nathan McMullen (born 1988), English stage and TV actor
  • Neil C. McMullen (1913–1992), American politician
  • Norman MacMullen (1877–1944), British Indian Army general
  • Peter McMullen (born 1942), British mathematician
  • Phil McMullen (born 1958), music critic from England, founder of both Ptolemaic Terrascope magazine and the Terrastock festivals
  • Ramsey MacMullen (1928–2022), American historian and writer
  • Richard McMullen (1849–1926), American manufacturer and politician, Governor of Delaware
  • Rodney McMullen (born 1961), American businessman, CEO of Kroger
  • Sean McMullen (born 1948), Australian science fiction writer
  • Scott McMullen (born 1980), American football player
  • William McMullen (politician) (1888–1982), Irish trade unionist and politician

MacMullen

  • Katelyn MacMullen (born 1995), American actress
  • Norman MacMullen (1877–1944), British officer
  • Ramsay MacMullen (1928–2022), American historian

See also

  • McMullens, British regional brewery in Hertford, England
  • McMullen Bros Ltd, Irish distributors of Maxol and Calor Gas fuel products
  • Mac Maoláin, an Irish Gaelic surname