McLoughlin is one of nearly two dozen Anglicisms for three Gaelic-Irish surnames: Mac/Nic Lochlainn (most commonly Anglicised McLaughlin), Ó/Ní Maoilsheachlainn (usually McLoughlin or M'Loughlin), and Mac/Nic Lochnaigh (usually rendered Loughney but occasionally McLoughlin or MacLoughlin).