Show ContentsMulvaney History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The Mulvaney surname was an Anglicized form of the Gaelic Ó Maoilmheana, meaning "descendant of Maoilmheana," a personal name meaning "chieftain of the Main (river)." In Donegal it may be an Anglicized form of Ó Maolmhaghna

Early Origins of the Mulvaney family

The surname Mulvaney was first found in County Derry, where they were hereditary ollavs of O'Cahan (O'Kane.) One of the first records of the name was Ó Maiol Mheanna mentioned in the Annals of Ulster in 1164 where the family claim descent for the from Eoghan, son of Niall of the None Hostages and was probably associated with the river Meana which flowed into Lough Neagh at Randalstown. 1

Another source claims that the name claims descent from the Donnelly line from MaolfIona which meant in English "the devotee of wine" 2

As both authors referenced were Chief Heralds of Ireland, we must leave it up the reader to decide who is more accurate.

"O'Mulvey was a Chief in the Barony of Mohill, County Leitrim, in which county about 50 per cent, of persons bearing the name Mulvey are now found." 3

Early History of the Mulvaney family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Mulvaney research. Another 142 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1659, 1770 and 1845 are included under the topic Early Mulvaney History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Mulvaney Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: O'Mulvany, Mulvany, Mulvenna, O'Mulvey, Mulvey and many more.

Early Notables of the Mulvaney family

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

Mulvaney Ranking

In the United States, the name Mulvaney is the 8,179th most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 4


United States Mulvaney migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Mulvaney Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Patrick Mulvaney, who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1816 5
  • C P Mulvaney, who landed in Mobile, Ala in 1858 5

Australia Mulvaney migration to Australia +

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

Mulvaney Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Francis Mulvaney, aged 27, Canadian Convict from New Fredericton, who was transported aboard the "Aboukir" on December 24, 1851, settling in Van Diemen's Land, Australia 6

New Zealand Mulvaney 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:

Mulvaney Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Felix Mulvaney, aged 41, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Resolute" in 1865
  • Mary Mulvaney, aged 38, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Resolute" in 1865
  • John Mulvaney, aged 18, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Resolute" in 1865
  • Elizabeth Mulvaney, aged 16, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Resolute" in 1865
  • Sarah Mulvaney, aged 14, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Resolute" in 1865
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Mulvaney (post 1700) +

  • Maureen G. "MGM" Mulvaney (b. 1950), former American special education teacher and college psychology instructor from Portsmouth, Virginia, CEO and owner of MGM & Associates, Inc
  • John Michael "Mick" Mulvaney (b. 1967), American politician, Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from South Carolina (2011-), Director of the Office of Management and Budget (2017-)
  • Elle Jade Mulvaney, English actress, best known for her role as Amy Barlow in the soap opera Coronation Street since 2010
  • Edward Joseph Mulvaney ISO (1871-1951), senior Australian public servant, Secretary of the Department of Markets and Migration (1925-1928), Secretary of the Department of Markets (1928 and 1930-1932)
  • John Mulvaney AO CMG (1925-2016), Australian archaeologist, the "father of Australian Archaeology," Commissioner of the Australian Heritage Commission, awarded the Graham Clark Medal of the British Academy, 1999, Centenary Medal, 2001 and Rhys Jones Medal, 2004
  • Derek John Mulvaney AO CMG FAHA (1925-2016), Australian archaeologist, known as the "father of Australian archaeology"
  • Jimmy Mulvaney (1921-1993), Scottish professional football defender who played from 1947 to 1955
  • Richard "Dick" Mulvaney (1942-1964), English football central defender who played from 1964 to 1977

Empress of Ireland
  • Mr. William Mulvaney (d. 1914), British Trimmer from United Kingdom who worked aboard the Empress of Ireland and died in the sinking 7


  1. MacLysaght, Edward, More Irish Families. Dublin: Irish Academic Press, 1982. Print. (ISBN 0-7165-0126-0)
  2. O'Hart, John, Irish Pedigrees 5th Edition in 2 Volumes. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Company, 1976. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0737-4)
  3. Matheson, Robert E., Special Report on Surnames in Ireland with Notes as to Numeric Strength, Derivation, Ethnology, and Distribution. Dublin: Alexander Thom & Co., 1894. Print
  4. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  5. 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)
  6. State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2014, November 18) Aboukir voyage to Van Diemen's Land and Norfolk Island. [These convicts appear to have all landed in Van Diemen's Land], Australia in 1851 with 280 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/aboukir/1851
  7. Commemoration Empress of Ireland 2014. (Retrieved 2014, June 17) . Retrieved from http://www.empress2014.ca/seclangen/listepsc1.html


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