Show ContentsMulholland History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

There are many Irish surnames being used today in forms that are quite different than their original, ancient forms. Mulholland originally appeared in Gaelic as O hUallachain, which is derived from the word "uallach," which means "proud."

Early Origins of the Mulholland family

The surname Mulholland was first found in Thomond (Irish: Tuadh Mumhan), literally North Thomond, the pre-Norman Kingdom of Thomond, since divided between counties Limerick, Tipperary and Clare, where they held a family seat from ancient times.

Early History of the Mulholland family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Mulholland research. Another 92 words (7 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Mulholland History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Mulholland Spelling Variations

Many spelling variations of the surname Mulholland can be found in the archives. One reason for these variations is that ancient scribes and church officials recorded names as they were pronounced, often resulting in a single person being recorded under several different spellings. The different spellings that were found include Holohan, O'Holohan, Mulholland, Highland, Hoolohan, Houlihan, Hooligan, Whelton, Oulihan, Oulahen, Whoolahan and many more.

Early Notables of the Mulholland family

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

Mulholland Ranking

In the United States, the name Mulholland is the 5,437th most popular surname with an estimated 4,974 people with that name. [1] However, in New Zealand, the name Mulholland is ranked the 970th most popular surname with an estimated 771 people with that name. [2]


United States Mulholland migration to the United States +

A great mass of Ireland's native population left the island in the 19th century, seeking relief from various forms of social, religious, and economic discrimination. This Irish exodus was primarily to North America. If the migrants survived the long ocean journey, many unfortunately would find more discrimination in the colonies of British North America and the fledgling United States of America. These newly arrived Irish were, however, wanted as a cheap source of labor for the many large agricultural and industrial projects that were essential to the development of what would become two of the wealthiest nations in the western world. Early immigration and passenger lists indicate many people bearing the Mulholland name:

Mulholland Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Owen Mulholland, who arrived in Virginia in 1750 [3]
Mulholland Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Daniel Mulholland, who landed in New York in 1811 [3]
  • Eleanor Mulholland, who arrived in New York in 1811 [3]
  • George Mulholland, who landed in New York, NY in 1811 [3]
  • Joseph Mulholland, who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1812 [3]
  • John Mulholland, who landed in New York, NY in 1816 [3]
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Canada Mulholland migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Mulholland Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • Charles Mulholland, aged 20, who arrived in Quebec in 1833
  • David Mulholland, aged 40, who arrived in Quebec in 1834
  • Hugh Mulholland, aged 24, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Protector" in 1834
  • James Mulholland, aged 13, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Protector" in 1834
  • Thomas Mulholland, aged 16, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Protector" in 1834
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Australia Mulholland migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Mulholland Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Mr. John Mulholland, British Convict who was convicted in Lancaster, Lancashire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Coromandel" on 27th October 1819, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) [4]
  • Peter Mulholland, English convict from Lancaster, who was transported aboard the "Adamant" on March 16, 1821, settling in New South Wales, Australia [5]
  • Mr. Hugh Mulholland, British Convict who was convicted in Corfu for life, transported aboard the "Clyde" on 20th August 1830, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) [6]
  • Robert Mulholland, aged 32, a farm labourer, who arrived in South Australia in 1855 aboard the ship "Europa" [7]
  • David Mulholland, aged 24, a labourer, who arrived in South Australia in 1856 aboard the ship "Amazon"

New Zealand Mulholland migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Mulholland Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Elizabeth Mulholland, aged 30, a nurse, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Hurunui" in 1877
  • Smylie Mulholland, aged 24, a farm labourer, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Rakaia" in 1878
  • Margaret Mulholland, aged 20, a servant, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Rakaia" in 1878
  • Alice Mulholland, aged 18, a servant, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Rakaia" in 1878

Contemporary Notables of the name Mulholland (post 1700) +

  • Spencer Mulholland, American politician, Prohibition Candidate for Presidential Elector for Michigan, 1944 [8]
  • Shawn Mulholland, American Democratic Party politician, Alternate Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Indiana, 2000 [8]
  • L. Charles Mulholland, American Republican politician, Delegate to Republican National Convention from Michigan, 1988 [8]
  • Hugh Mulholland, American Republican politician, Alternate Delegate to Republican National Convention from Kentucky, 1884, 1888 [8]
  • Frank L. Mulholland, American Republican politician, Delegate to Republican National Convention from Ohio, 1932 [8]
  • Charles Mulholland, American politician, Member of California State Assembly 26th District, 1880-81 [8]
  • Bob Mulholland, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from California, 1988, 1996, 2000, 2004, 2008; Member of Democratic National Committee from California, 2004-08 [8]
  • Bernard J. Mulholland, American Republican politician, Member of New York State Assembly from Kings County 2nd District, 1883; Candidate for U.S. Representative from New York 4th District, 1884 [8]
  • Ann M. Mulholland, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from New York, 1980 [8]
  • John Mulholland (1898-1970), American magician, author, publisher and intelligence agent
  • ... (Another 17 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Ibrox disaster
  • Robert Colquhoun Mulholland (1955-1971), Scottish football supporter, from Glasgow who was at the Ibrox disaster on 2nd January 1971 when a human crush among the crowd killed 66 and injured 200 people he died of his injuries [9]


  1. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  2. "Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
  3. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
  4. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 12th March 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/coromandel
  5. State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Adamant voyage to New South Wales, Australia in 1821 with 144 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/adamant/1821
  6. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 19th February 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/clyde
  7. South Australian Register Monday 14th May 1855. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) Europa 1855. Retrieved http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/australia/europa1855.shtml
  8. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2016, January 27) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
  9. Bradford City Football Club In memory (retrieved 22nd March 2021). Retrieved from https://www.bradfordcityafc.com/club/in-memoriam/


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