A HISTORY
Even to this day, no definitive origin can be established for the surname of Mulcahy or Ó Maolchathaigh in its original Gaelic form. However we can draw some conclusions based on what is available, either through historical source material or simply from common sense. One thing is certain and that is the translation of the name. It was originally thought that the name refered to a descendant of the warlike or battle-chief. However this was later revised by the eminant authority on Irish Surnames, Edward MacLysaght. He concluded that the name refered to 'a descendant of a devotee of Cathach' who he proposed was the name of a saint. While no record of a saint by that name exists, it may be possible that the reference to Cathach implies a connection with the monastic island of Inis Cathach, located in the mouth of the Shannon. This would make sense as the name is clearly of ecliesiastical origin. The word 'maol' meaning bald in modern Irish historically was translated as 'devotee'. The connection coming from the practice of ecliesiastics to wear a monastic tonsure. Interestingly, the original form of maol was 'mael', which meant prince, i.e 'crowned one' and hence its evolution to mean monastic tonsure, which is essentially a crown of hair. Also in earlier times, monastic life was often only open to royalty. Far from the life of a modern monk, medieval monks and clerics could father children, go to war, and could even establish their own dynasties. What is remarkable about Mulcahy, is that practically no historical refferences exist for the family in any of the Irish Annals, bar one. While the name is numerous enough its influence in the political sphere was practically non existant. While this is not uncommon for an Irish family, the misconception being that all surnames were once clans, it is strange to not have any historical footprint at all for a family.
While we have no origin for the Mulcahy family, based on modern geographic distrobution within Ireland, it has been generally assumed that the name originated close to the Tipperary/Waterford border. Even today the name is most common in that region. The proposed geographic origin, combined with the lack of definitive historical sources might lead us to question any possible connection with the Island of Inis Cathach.
While we have no origin for the Mulcahy family, based on modern geographic distrobution within Ireland, it has been generally assumed that the name originated close to the Tipperary/Waterford border. Even today the name is most common in that region. The proposed geographic origin, combined with the lack of definitive historical sources might lead us to question any possible connection with the Island of Inis Cathach.