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: Catherine Cookson (1906–1998), English author who published in the United States under her maiden name Catherine McMullen Curtis T. McMullen (born 1958), American mathematician James McMullen, (1833–1913), Canadian politician John McMullen (1832–1883), Irish-born, American Roman Catholic bishop 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 Nathan McMullen (born 1988), English stage and TV actor 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 C. McMullen (1849–1926), American manufacturer and politician, Governor of Delaware Sean McMullen (born 1948), Australian science fiction writer Scott McMullen (born 1980), American football player 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 Anglicised Irish-language surnames