The Irish surname Cullens, also found in Scotland, has two distinct origins. The name Cullens may be an anglicized form of the Gaelic Ó Coileáin  meaning “descendant of Coileán,” a byname meaning ‘ a puppy or a young dog.” The name may also be an anglicized form of the Gaelic Ó Cuilinn meaning “descendant of Cuileann,” a byname meaning “holly.” When found in Scotland the name is of habitational origin  from the town of Cullen in Banff, so named from Gaelic cùilen, a diminutive of còil, cùil meaning “nook or recess.” In Ireland The sept was a branch of the Corca Laoidhe, which comprised the clans of South West Munster, and their territory lay in the barony of Barryroe in County Cork. The surname was well recorded there in Petty's "Census of Ireland" in 1659. Branches of the family spread to Counties Clare and Waterford, and Donegal.