O'Mulvaney History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Ireland

Etymology of O'Mulvaney

What does the name O'Mulvaney mean?

The O'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 O'Mulvaney family

The surname O'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" (O'Hart)

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." 2

Early History of the O'Mulvaney family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our O'Mulvaney research. Another 143 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1659, 1770 and 1845 are included under the topic Early O'Mulvaney History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

O'Mulvaney Spelling Variations

A name was often recorded during the Middle Ages under several different spelling variations during the life of its bearer because literacy was rare there was no real push to clearly define any of the languages found in the British Isles at that time. Variations found of the name O'Mulvaney include O'Mulvany, Mulvany, Mulvenna, O'Mulvey, Mulvey and many more.

Early Notables of the O'Mulvaney family

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

Migration of the O'Mulvaney family

Death and immigration greatly reduced Ireland's population in the 19th century. For the native Irish people poverty, hunger, and racial prejudice was common. Therefore, thousands left their homeland to seek opportunity in North America. Those who survived the journey and the quarantine camps to which they arrived, were instrumental towards building the strong developing nations of the United States and the future Canada. By far, the largest influx of Irish settlers occurred with Great Potato Famine during the late 1840s. These were employed as construction or factory workers. An examination of passenger and immigration lists has shown early immigrants bearing the name O'Mulvaney: John Mulvay, who settled in Philadelphia in 1746; Patrick Mulvany, who arrived in Philadelphia in 1808; James Mulvany, who arrived in Baltimore in 1809.

Sources +

MacLysaght, Edward, More Irish Families. Dublin: Irish Academic Press, 1982. Print. (ISBN 0-7165-0126-0)
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