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Irish surname

Muldoon: Irish Surname History & Coat of Arms

Ó Maoldúin · 'descendant of Maoldúin' (chief of the fort)

Woulfe (1923) gives Muldoon as an anglicised form of Ó Maoldúin, 'descendant of Maoldúin', the name of several distinct families. One was an Oriel family, chiefs of Feara Luirg, now the barony of Lurg in the north of Co. Fermanagh, until the end of the 14th century. In 1890 Muldoon births were found principally in Fermanagh and Galway.

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Coat of arms associated with the Muldoon surname
Irish formÓ Maoldúin
Meaning'descendant of Maoldúin' (chief of the fort)
CountiesFermanagh, Galway, Sligo
Other spellings3

Origin of the Muldoon name

Woulfe names several distinct families of Ó Maoldúin: (1) an Oriel family who until the end of the 14th century were chiefs of Feara Luirg, now the barony of Lurg, in the north of Co. Fermanagh, 'still numerous in that county'; (2) a branch of the Ui Fiachrach in Co. Sligo; and (3) a Thomond family.[1]

  1. 1000Four Masters: Dubhdara Ua Maelduin, lord of Feara-Luirg, was slain.[5]
  2. 1018Four Masters: Ongharcc Ua Maelduin, vice-abbot (prior) of Cluain-mic-Nois, died.[6]
  3. until the end of the 14th centuryWoulfe: the Oriel family were chiefs of Feara Luirg.[1]
  4. 189026 Muldoon births registered: 14 in Ulster, 9 in Connaught.[2]

Where in Ireland

Co. FermanaghFeara Luirg, now the barony of Lurg; Woulfe says the family are 'still numerous in that county'.[1][2]
Co. GalwayNamed with Fermanagh as principal county for Muldoon births in 1890.[2]
Co. SligoWoulfe lists a branch of the Ui Fiachrach in Co. Sligo.[1]

Other spellings

O Muldoon · Muldon · Meldon[1]

The Muldoon coat of arms

The design shown is a coat of arms associated with the Muldoon surname. In Irish and British heraldry a coat of arms is granted to one person and passes to their heirs; it does not belong to everyone who shares the surname. Many families still use the arms of their name as a symbol of their heritage.

Muldoon crest gifts

Clan Omuldoon Coat Of Arms - Irish Family Crest Classic Cap MR41 Omuldoon Coat Of Arms Irish Cap Omuldoon Coat Of Arms - Irish Family Crest Classic Cap$33.45Clan Omuldoon Coat Of Arms - Irish Family Crest St Patrick's Day Classic CapVA44 Classic Cap - Omuldoon Coat Of Arms St Patrick's Day Classic Cap Irish Cap Omuldoon Coat Of Arms - Irish Family Crest St Patrick's Day Classic Cap$42.45Clan Muldoon Coat Of Arms - Irish Family Crest St Patrick's Day Classic CapOZ65 Classic Cap - Muldoon Coat Of Arms St Patrick's Day Classic Cap Irish Cap Muldoon Coat Of Arms - Irish Family Crest St Patrick's Day Classic Cap OZ65$42.45Clan Muldoon Coat Of Arms - Irish Family Crest St Patrick's Day Classic CapFA46 Classic Cap - Muldoon Coat Of Arms St Patrick's Day Classic Cap Irish Cap Muldoon Coat Of Arms - Irish Family Crest St Patrick's Day Classic Cap FA46$42.45Clan Muldoon Coat Of Arms - Irish Family Crest Classic Cap AF50 Muldoon Coat Of Arms Irish Cap Muldoon Coat Of Arms - Irish Family Crest Classic Cap$33.45

Muldoon surname: questions

What does the surname Muldoon mean?

Woulfe gives Muldoon as a form of Ó Maoldúin, 'descendant of Maoldúin', and explains Maoldúin as 'chief of the fort'.[1]

Where in Ireland is the Muldoon name from?

Woulfe says an Oriel family of Ó Maoldúin were chiefs of Feara Luirg, now the barony of Lurg in the north of Co. Fermanagh, until the end of the 14th century, and are still numerous there. He also names a Sligo family and a Thomond family. In 1890 Muldoon births were found principally in Fermanagh and Galway.[1][2]

Is Meldon the same name as Muldoon?

Woulfe prints Meldon among the anglicised forms of Ó Maoldúin, and Matheson's registrars reported Meldon and Muldoon used interchangeably in some districts.[1][3][4]

Sources

  1. Ó Maoldúin — Irish Names and Surnames (Rev. Patrick Woulfe, 1923), transcribed, LibraryIreland.com. libraryireland.com/names/om/o-maolduin.php
  2. Muldoon — Birth Indexes of 1890 — Special Report on Surnames in Ireland (Robert E. Matheson, 1909), transcribed, LibraryIreland.com. libraryireland.com/matheson/report/births/muldoon.php
  3. Muldoon (list no. 1570) — Varieties and Synonymes of Surnames and Christian Names in Ireland (Robert E. Matheson, 1901), transcribed, LibraryIreland.com. libraryireland.com/matheson/varieties/list/1570.php
  4. Memorandum explanatory of Alphabetical List — Varieties and Synonymes of Surnames (Robert E. Matheson, 1901), transcribed, LibraryIreland.com. libraryireland.com/matheson/varieties/memorandum.php
  5. Annals of the Four Masters, M1000.5 (tr. John O'Donovan), CELT, University College Cork. celt.ucc.ie/published/T100005B/text010.html
  6. Annals of the Four Masters, M1018.3 (tr. John O'Donovan), CELT, University College Cork. celt.ucc.ie/published/T100005B/text012.html

Note: Matheson's 1890 figures for a surname include its spelling varieties (Matheson, Table Explanation).