A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Mullan family of Ireland.
Reg. 0841 · Irish, M–O
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“O'Mullowney, or O'Molony (a Sept whose Chief ruled over Cuiltenan, now the parish of Kiltonanlea, Barony of Tulla, co. Clare; descended, according to O'Halloran's History of Ireland, from the same race as O'Quin, O'Grady).”
Irelandc. 1645
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
Map of Ireland showing where the Mullan arms are recorded
The Mullan arms were recorded in Ireland, c. 1645.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Dublin.
Dublin was the seat of government in Ireland and the place where grants were sought and recorded. Families with business at the castle or the courts settled nearby, and settling there put their arms on record.
This is where the arms were entered in the register. Families often moved to other parts of the country, so the same name can turn up in more than one region.
The body that granted and recorded arms in Ireland in this period.
Charles I of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles I of England
1625–1649
Reigning in Ireland when the Mullan arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Ireland
The Ulster King of Arms granted coats of arms to individuals who proved their social standing and good character. These symbols were typically inherited by all legitimate descendants of the original holder. If a family branch wanted a unique look, they could apply for a specific change to their design through the office to ensure their identity remained distinct.
Granting authority
The Ulster King of Arms acted as the official body that regulated and issued all coats of arms throughout Ireland.
How they got arms
Families obtained their arms through formal grants issued by the office after proving their eligibility and paying the required fees.
Where arms were recorded
All official grants were recorded in the registers held by the Ulster King of Arms starting from the year 1552.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Ireland.
Origin & History of the Mullan Family in Ireland
The Mullan family name has deep roots in Ireland, with historical records confirming their presence in Dublin as early as 1645. The name is an anglicized version of the Gaelic surname Ó Maoláin, which translates to a descendant of a devotee or a follower of a saint. During the seventeenth century, families with this name were often found in the northern regions of Ireland, though the presence of the family in Dublin suggests they were active in the urban and political life of the capital during a time of great social change. Many people with this surname were part of the traditional Gaelic social structure, which prioritized strong family ties and local community leadership. As the seventeenth century progressed, the family adapted to the shifting landscape of Irish society while maintaining their distinct cultural identity.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Maolán
A diminutive form of the Gaelic word for a bald person.
This name
MullanDerived from a nickname for a tonsured servant or devotee of a saint.
also spelled
Mullan
Omullen
Mullen
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Woulfe, Patrick, Sloinnte Gaedheal is Gall: Irish Names and Surnames, 1923
MacLysaght, Edward, The Surnames of Ireland, 1985
National Archives of Ireland, Civil Survey of the County of Dublin, 1654–1656
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
