Surname Muldoon - Meaning and Origin

Muldoon: What does the surname Muldoon mean?

Muldoon is a surname of Irish origin. It is derived from the Irish Gaelic name "Ó Maoldúin", which translates to "descendant of the servant of the fort." The name is constructed of two parts: 'Mul' comes from 'maol' referring to someone who is bald or tonsured, often indicating a religious devotee or servant, while 'doon' is a derivative of 'dún', meaning fort. Collectively, the surname suggests kinship or descent from an ancient clan that probably served a significant fort or fortress in Ireland. It would have been originally used to identify someone as a member of this clan. The Muldoon surname is common in Northern Ireland, particularly in counties Tyrone and Fermanagh. Over the years, due to emigration and other factors, the surname has spread beyond Ireland and can now be found in various other parts of the world.

Muldoon: Where does the name Muldoon come from?

The surname Muldoon originates from Ireland, specifically from the Gaelic phrase "Maoildhún", meaning "hill of the fortress". There are different samples of the Muldoon family springing up in Leitrim during the 10th century before focusing intensely in County Tyrone and its surrounding areas in Northern Ireland. Today, Muldoon remains a common Irish surname amongst Irish diaspora globally, particularly in areas that received significant numbers of Irish immigrants such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia. Despite its dispersion, the name is still highly prevalent in its country of origin, Ireland, with a particular concentration in the Northern regions where it originated. Factors such as emigration and the Great Famine have contributed to the spread of the Muldoon name beyond Ireland, where it continues to be cherished as a marker of Irish heritage.

Variations of the surname Muldoon

The surname Muldoon is of Irish origin and it derives from the Gaelic "O'Maolduin," meaning "descendant of the servant of the fortress." It is a common surname in Ireland. Other variations of the name may include Muldoone, Muldown, Muldowne and Muldon. The prefix 'O' can be often added or subtracted in Irish names, offering additional variations like O'Muldoon or O'Muldoone. The 'Mul' prefix can also sometimes be replaced with 'Muld', giving rise to Muldown, Muldune or Muldan. Another common variant is Muldune. Spelling variations often occurred due to the translation from Gaelic to English, as well as regional pronunciation differences. Similar or related surnames of Irish origin might include Meldon due to phonetic similarities. However, it's important to note that surname derivations can be complex and not all surnames that appear similar will share the same origin. Surnames were often created based on an ancestor's occupation, characteristics, or geographical location, leading to a wide array of potential variations and derivations.

Famous people with the name Muldoon

• Paul Muldoon: An Irish poet and professor at Princeton University, he's won a Pulitzer Prize for Poetry and the T. S. Eliot Prize.
• Robert Muldoon: The 31st Prime Minister of New Zealand (1975-1984), known for his confrontational style.
• Patrick Muldoon: An American actor and producer known for his roles in "Starship Troopers" and the soap operas "Days of Our Lives" and "Melrose Place".
• Dermod Muldoon: A Dublin actor famous for his role in "My Left Foot".
• Martin Muldoon: Internationally recognized expert in financial macroeconomics and economic theory.
• Peter Muldoon: The first Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Rockville Centre in New York.
• Bill Muldoon: An American football player who played in the National Football League in the 1920s.
• Dermot Muldoon: An Irish Fine Gael politician and European Parliament Member.
• Sean Muldoon: An Irish footballer who played as a goalkeeper for many clubs.
• Matt Muldoon: A professional rugby league footballer of the 1970s from Australia.
• William Muldoon: An American Greco-Roman wrestler and physical culturist, considered the first recognizably modern Heavyweight World Champion.
• Chris Muldoon: An Irish former cricketer who played five One Day Internationals.

Other surnames

Muldowney