Show ContentsMulherin History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The Irish surname Mulherin comes from the Gaelic Ó Maolciarain or Ó Maolchiarain, a patronymic, which means a descendant of a devotee of St. Kieran or Ciarán of Saigir. 1

The Mulhern(e) variant which is the most common today, claims descent through the O'Connor Faley pedigree, on the Heremon side. The name literally means "one who is dark grey." 2

Early Origins of the Mulherin family

The surname Mulherin was first found in County Clare (Irish: An Clár) located on the west coast of Ireland in the province of Munster, where they held a family seat from ancient times.

Mulhern(e) is typically an Ulster form of Mulkerrin which is a "County Roscommon family who were erenaghs of Ardcarne and produced many notable ecclesiastics." 1 Of note was Denis O’Mulkerrin (died 1224), Bishop of Elphin, and Maelisa O’Mulkerrin (died 1197), Bishop of Clogher.

Another source notes the family descend from Mulheeran of Offaley, specifically Maolciaran, "ciaran." 2

Early History of the Mulherin family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Mulherin research. Another 81 words (6 lines of text) covering the year 1172 is included under the topic Early Mulherin History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Mulherin Spelling Variations

Irish names were rarely spelled consistently in the Middle Ages. Spelling variations of the name Mulherin dating from that time include Mulhearn, Mulheran, Mulherin, Mulhern, Mulherne and many more.

Early Notables of the Mulherin family

More information is included under the topic Early Mulherin Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Mulherin migration to the United States +

To escape the religious and political discrimination they experienced primarily at the hands of the English, thousands of Irish left their homeland in the 19th century. These migrants typically settled in communities throughout the East Coast of North America, but also joined the wagon trains moving out to the Midwest. Ironically, when the American War of Independence began, many Irish settlers took the side of England, and at the war's conclusion moved north to Canada. These United Empire Loyalists, were granted land along the St. Lawrence River and the Niagara Peninsula. Other Irish immigrants settled in Newfoundland, the Ottawa Valley, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. The greatest influx of Irish immigrants, however, came to North America during the Great Potato Famine of the late 1840s. Thousands left Ireland at this time for North America and Australia. Many of those numbers, however, did not live through the long sea passage. These Irish settlers to North America were immediately put to work building railroads, coal mines, bridges, and canals. Irish settlers made an inestimable contribution to the building of the New World. Early North American immigration records have revealed a number of people bearing the Irish name Mulherin or a variant listed above, including:

Mulherin Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Arthur, Charles, James, John, Patrick, and Terrence Mulherin, who all, who arrived in Philadelphia between 1840 and 1860
  • William Mulherin, aged 44, arrived in New York in 1892 aboard the ship "State of Nebraska" from Moville, Ireland 3
  • Mary Mulherin, aged 43, arrived in New York in 1892 aboard the ship "State of Nebraska" from Moville, Ireland 3
  • Ellen Mulherin, aged 40, originally from Donegal, arrived in New York in 1892 aboard the ship "Anchoria" from Glasgow via Moville 3
Mulherin Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Bridget Mulherin, aged 26, originally from Ireland, arrived in New York in 1907 aboard the ship "Columbia" from Glasgow, Scotland 3
  • Martin Mulherin, aged 21, originally from Mullahowne, Ireland, arrived in New York in 1920 aboard the ship "Carmania" from Queenstown, Ireland 3
  • Sarah Mulherin, aged 21, originally from Foxford, Co. Mayo, Ireland, arrived in New York in 1920 aboard the ship "Celtic" from Queenstown, Ireland 3

Contemporary Notables of the name Mulherin (post 1700) +

  • Michelle Mulherin (b. 1972), Irish Fine Gael politician, Teachta Dála (TD) for the Mayo constituency (2011-)
  • Timothy Sean Mulherin (1957-2020), Australian politician, Deputy Leader of the Opposition of Queensland (2012-2015)
  • Wayne Mulherin (b. 1957), Australian former cricketer who played one first-class match for New South Wales in the 1983/1984 season
  • Bruce Mulherin (b. 1982), Canadian professional ice hockey player
  • Allen Mulherin Steele Jr. (b. 1958), award-winning American science fiction author


The Mulherin Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Per ardua surgo
Motto Translation: I rise through difficulties.


  1. MacLysaght, Edward, The Surnames of Ireland. Ireland: Irish Academic Press, sixth edition, 1985. Print. (ISBN 0-7165-2366-3)
  2. O'Hart, John, Irish Pedigrees 5th Edition in 2 Volumes. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Company, 1976. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0737-4)
  3. Ellis Island Search retrieved 15th November 2022. Retrieved from https://heritage.statueofliberty.org/passenger-result


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