Surname Mulherin - Meaning and Origin

Mulherin: What does the surname Mulherin mean?

The surname Mulherin is of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic name "Ó Maoilchairáin". The prefix "Ó" means "descendant of" and "Maoilchairáin" is a diminutive form of the personal name "Ciarán", which means "dark-haired". So, the name Mulherin could roughly translate to "descendant of the little dark-haired one". This surname originated in County Mayo in the western part of Ireland. Like most Irish surnames, the name references the genealogy of its initial bearers, commemorating an ancestor. The spelling of Irish surnames can often be anglicized, with Mulherin or Mulherrin being common variations of the original Gaelic version. As a surname, Mulherin represents familial ties and a unique connection to Irish heritage and history.

Mulherin: Where does the name Mulherin come from?

The surname Mulherin is believed to have originated in the Irish province of Connacht, after its original form was spelled "O'Mulchrone". Today, it is still most common in the western parts of Ireland, particularly in the provinces of Connacht and Ulster. It is also found throughout the rest of Ireland, England, Scotland, Wales, the United States, Australia, and Canada.

Some of the earliest occurrences of the name Mulherin can be traced back to 1320, when a Matthew de O'Molchron was listed as a witness to the execution of a traitor in the Irish chancery rolls. The name later evolved into "O'Mulchrone" and subsequently "Mulherin" or "Mulholland".

In the United States, the Mulherin surname has been found mainly in the East Coast states such as Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and New York. It is also found in many other states, including states that were part of the original 13 Colonies. The Mulherin family is found in the 2016 records of the most popular surnames in the United States, and its name ranks among the country's 200 most common surnames.

In the year 2018, the highest concentration of people with the Mulherin surname was in Casey County, Kentucky. However, the surname is also found in other states, including Texas, Pennsylvania, Iowa, and Illinois.

In conclusion, Mulherin is a common surname in the western parts of Ireland, especially Connacht and Ulster. It is also found throughout the rest of Ireland, England, Scotland, Wales, the United States, Australia, and Canada. The highest concentration of individuals carrying the surname is in the state of Kentucky, but it is also found in many other states around the country.

Variations of the surname Mulherin

Mulherin is an Irish surname derived from the Gaelic word “Maol Chearain” which means “descendent of the devotee of St. Ciaran”. The anglicized variants of the surname are Millar, Miller, Milne, Miletin, Mulheren, Molherin, and Mollherin.

Miller is a similar-sounding surname of Germanic origin, which translates to “one who works with a mill”. Milne is a name of Scottish origin that is derived from the Gaelic Mac a’Mhuillin meaning “son of the mill worker”. Miletin and Moleherin are popular Irish variants of Mulherin.

Mulholland is another variant of Mulherin. It is derived from the Gaelic Maolchallann, which means “devotee of St. Callin”. The anglicized versions are Mullholland, Mulholland, and Mulhalland.

The other variations of Mulherin include Mulligan, Mulgrew, and MacElheran. Mulligan is an Irish name derived from the Gaelic Maolagáin, meaning “descendent of Maolagáin”. Mulgrew is an anglicization of the Gaelic name Mac Giolla Ruaidh, which means “son of the red haired lad”. MacElheran is an Irish variant of Mulherin, derived from the Gaelic Mac Ghiolla Chearain, meaning “son of the devotee of St. Ciaran”.

Famous people with the name Mulherin

• Stephen Mulherin:Stephen Mulherin is an American lawyer and politician from Maine. He served three terms representing District 35 in the Maine House of Representatives as a Democrat from 2000 until 2006.
• Sharon Mulherin:Sharon Mulherin is a Canadian television producer. She has produced a range of television shows such as "Paradise Garage", "The Bastard" and "Dina's Corner".
• Sir Edward Mulherin:Sir Edward Mulherin was an English judge who served as Chief Justice of the Exchequer Division of the High Court of Justice from 1894 to 1898.
• Dave Mulherin:Dave Mulherin is an American professional freestyle skier. He has competed in several Winter Olympics and is a four-time X Games gold medalist.
• Joe Mulherin:Joe Mulherin is a contemporary artist and designer from the United States. He is known for an abstract art style that has been exhibited at the Museum of Modern Art, the Venice Biennial of Art, the Houston Museum of Fine Arts, and the Nova Scotia Museum of Art.
• Tiznut Mulherin:Tiznut Mulherin is an American football player who play cornerback for the Green Bay Packers.
• John Mulherin:John Mulherin is an American former swimmer who competed in the 1960 and 1964 Olympics. He won medals for the 400-meter freestyle relay in both Olympics.
• Mary Mulherin:Mary Mulherin is an Australian Performing Arts teacher and costume designer. She has been teaching and creating costumes over 15 years and is passionate about her work. She also designs special costumes and accessories for both National and International events.

Other surnames

MulheronMulherrinMulherron