O'Maoldoon History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Ireland

The surname O'Maoldoon originally comes from the Gaelic as Ó Maolduin, a patronymic name meaning "descendent of Maolduin." The personal name Maolduin is composed of the elements "maol," meaning "chieftain," and "dún," meaning "fortress."

Early Origins of the O'Maoldoon family

The surname O'Maoldoon was first found in County Sligo (Irish: Sligeach), in the province of Connacht in Northwestern Ireland, where they had been anciently seated at Enniscrone and said to be directly descended from King Niall of the Nine Hostages, Ireland's General Commander/King who died in the fourth century. From his twelve sons many tribes are descended including O'Caomhain who controlled the tribes from the River Gleoir to the Easky, a tract of land which included the homes of about 30 tribes, including the Muldoons.

Some of the first records of the family appeared as a forename. Máel Dúin mac Áedo Bennán (died 661) was King of Iarmuman (West Munster.) A few years later, Máel Dúin mac Conaill (died 688) was a king in Dál Riata (now Western Scotland).

Early History of the O'Maoldoon family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our O'Maoldoon research. Another 95 words (7 lines of text) covering the year 1700 is included under the topic Early O'Maoldoon History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

O'Maoldoon Spelling Variations

Pronunciation, rather than spelling, guided scribes and church officials when recording names during the Middle Ages. This practice often resulted in one person's name being recorded under several different spellings. Numerous spelling variations of the surname O'Maoldoon are preserved in these old documents. The various spellings of the name that were found include Muldoon, O'Muldoon, Meldon, O'Meldon, Maoldoon and many more.

Early Notables of the O'Maoldoon family

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

Migration of the O'Maoldoon family

The 19th century saw a great wave of Irish families leaving Ireland for the distant shores of North America and Australia. These families often left their homeland hungry, penniless, and destitute due to the policies of England. Those Irish immigrants that survived the long sea passage initially settled on the eastern seaboard of the continent. Some, however, moved north to a then infant Canada as United Empire Loyalists after ironically serving with the English in the American War of Independence. Others that remained in America later joined the westward migration in search of land. The greatest influx of Irish immigrants, though, came to North America during the Great Potato Famine of the late 1840s. Thousands left Ireland at this time for North America, and those who arrived were immediately put to work building railroads, coal mines, bridges, and canals. In fact, the foundations of today's powerful nations of the United States and Canada were to a larger degree built by the Irish. Archival documents indicate that members of the O'Maoldoon family relocated to North American shores quite early: James Muldoon, who came to New York in 1803; Mary and Michael Muldoon who arrived in New York State in 1804; Wm. Muldoon, who came to Ottawa, Canada in 1818.

The O'Maoldoon 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: Pro fide et patria
Motto Translation: For faith and my country.