Surname Mulherrin - Meaning and Origin

Mulherrin: What does the surname Mulherrin mean?

The surname Mulherrin is of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic name "Ó Maolchairáin". This name is made up of two parts: "Ó" meaning "descendant of" and "Maolchairáin," a personal name composed of "maol," meaning "devotee," and "carán," which could refer to a small flame or firebrand. Therefore, the surname Mulherrin could roughly translate to "descendant of the devotee of the small flame."

The name suggests a connection to religious or spiritual devotion, possibly indicating an ancestor who was a devout follower in a religious context. The "small flame" portion could refer to someone who provided light or guidance.

Like many Irish surnames, it has various spellings, including Mulherin, Mulhearn, Mulheran, Mulhern, etc.

Please note that surname origins can often be speculative, as names have morphed considerably over centuries and may have multiple origins. The interpretation here should be taken as one possible origin of the surname.

Mulherrin: Where does the name Mulherrin come from?

The last name Mulherrin is mainly found in Ireland and the UK. It is particularly common in the Republic of Ireland, especially in counties Cork, Donegal, Kildare, Monaghan, and Wexford. The surname has also spread to other parts of the world, such as the US, Canada, and Australia. In the US, Mulherrin primarily appears in New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, North Carolina, Indiana, Illinois, and Michigan.

Mulherrin has its roots in Irish Gaelic and means "son of the sea". It is an anglicised version of the Gaelic ÓMaolchairin, which derives from the word “maol” meaning “shaven”. This was a term often used to refer to people who lived near the sea. It is believed that this is the reason so many people with the last name Mulherrin lived in the coastal counties of Ireland.

The Mulherrin name is strongly associated with the iconic Irish actor Maureen O’Hara, who changed her last name to Mulherrin when she began her film career. There has been far-reaching influence on culture for the Mulherrin name, as she was one of the most prominent Irish actors in Hollywood for several decades.

Overall, the last name Mulherrin is strongly associated with Irish culture and tradition, and it is a name that is still common in countries with significant Irish populations today.

Variations of the surname Mulherrin

The surname Mulherrin is derived from the Irish surname O Maolchonaire. It is a patronymic name meaning 'son or devotee' of Maol Chonaire. This is an old Gaelic name composed of the elements 'Maol' meaning 'chief' or 'noble one' and 'Conaire' meaning 'wisdom'. Variants of the Mulherrin surname include Mulharen, Mulhern, Mulherin, Mulhirn, Mulhurn, Mulerin and O'Maolchonaire.

Mulherrin has been found in many parts of Ireland from County Roscommon to County Mayo. In some records, the Mulherrin family is also referred to as MacMulhern or MacLoughrey. These spellings are derived from the patronymics MacMulchonaire and MacLouchrey. The surname has also been found as Mulvie and Mulvee in Australia and New Zealand, although the origin of this variant is unclear.

In addition to the different spellings and variants, there is also the O'Maolconaire sept of Mayo. This sept was located in the area around Ballyhaunis and is descended from Donal an Chogaidh O'Maolconaire (Donal of the Wars O'Maolconaire), a chieftain of Mayo in the 16th century.

There are a few different spellings and variants that are found under the same general Irish surname of Mulherrin, with a few different origins and clan names associated with it. These names include Mulharen, Mulhern, Mulherin, Mulhirn, Mulhurn, Mulerin, MacMulhern, MacLoughrey, Mulvie and Mulvee. These various spellings can be found both in Ireland and throughout the world.

Famous people with the name Mulherrin

• Rebecca Mulherrin: British actress best known for her roles in popular shows such as Call the Midwife, I Want My Wife Back, and Remainder.
• William Mulherrin: Former professional footballer who played for the Republic of Ireland from 2010–2013.
• Alfred Mulherrin: Australian industrialist from Victoria who built an empire from paving quarries to cinemas.
• Robyn Mulherrin: Canadian dancer, choreographer and actress from Vancouver.
• John Mulherrin: American actor who played popular roles in films including Miracle Mile, bits of April, Pretty in Pink, and War of the Worlds.
• Catherine Mulherrin: Irish playwright with an extensive background in theatre and film; she wrote 2014’s acclaimed play ‘Heart Shaped Vinyl’.
• Paul Mulherrin: English artist and illustrator who is known for his detailed watercolor paintings of landscapes, cityscapes, and people.
• Mary Mulherrin: British author best known for the books ‘The Artist of Life’ and ‘ From Nothing comes Everything’.
• Derek Mulherrin: Irish politician who served in the Seanad Éireann from 2007 to 2011.
• Evelyn Mulherrin: Canadian historian with expertise on the history of French Canada and indigenous peoples in the Canadian West.

Other surnames

Mulherron