O'Muldoon History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Ireland

The surname O'Muldoon 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'Muldoon family

The surname O'Muldoon 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'Muldoon family

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

O'Muldoon Spelling Variations

Within the archives researched, many different spelling variations of the surname O'Muldoon were found. These included One reason for the many variations is that scribes and church officials often spelled an individual's name as it sounded. This imprecise method often led to many versions. Muldoon, O'Muldoon, Meldon, O'Meldon, Maoldoon and many more.

Early Notables of the O'Muldoon family

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

Migration of the O'Muldoon family

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 O'Muldoon or a variant listed above, including: 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'Muldoon 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.