As I recall, the heavier 9mm loads in particular the 147 gr was designed to be subsonic, for use in suppressed guns (think Navy Seals). I don't remember when they got to be popular for target and self-defense use.
I started loading 9mm back in 1993, and those heavier bullets weren't really on the radar yet. The standard self-defense load from all the ammo outfits was a non +P 115 gr JHP at around 1200 fps. I duplicated that with a Winchester or Remington bulk JHP over about 5.6 gr W231. That's still my 9mm load, although I haven't shot any in a long time-- more into my little 38 spl Chiefs.
Although I prefer heavier (148-158 gr) lead bullets in my 38's, I still lean toward the 115 gr JHP in the 9mm. "If it works, don't fix it" being the philosophy here.