MACMAHON

Recorded variant spellings include Mac Mahon, Mac-Mahon, Macmahon

MacMahon

MacMahon is a notable surname of Irish origin that traces its roots to the ancient Gaelic name "Mac Mathghamhna". The name has been historically prominent among the nobility in Ireland, particularly in the counties of Clare and Monaghan.

The MacMahons are believed to be descendants of Mathghamhain, a legendary warrior chieftain of the Eóganachta clan in Munster. Over time, the clan spread to other regions of Ireland, eventually establishing their stronghold in County Monaghan.

In the 17th century, the MacMahons gained further prominence when one of their prominent members, Hugh O'Neill, the 2nd Earl of Tyrone, led a rebellion against English rule in Ireland. The MacMahons played a significant role in this tumultuous period of Irish history.

Today, the MacMahon surname is found not only in Ireland but also among the Irish diaspora around the world, particularly in countries with historic ties to Ireland such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom.

The MacMahon name carries a sense of pride in Irish heritage and a connection to a storied past of bravery and resilience. The clan motto "Sic nos sic sacra tuemur" translates to "Thus we guard our sacred rights" in English, reflecting the values of honour and loyalty that the MacMahons have upheld through generations.

Typical given names associated with the MacMahon surname

Male

  • David
  • James
  • John
  • Kevin
  • Michael
  • Patrick
  • Paul
  • Peter
  • Richard
  • Robert
  • Stephen
  • Timothy

Female

  • Alexandra
  • Anne
  • Barbara
  • Eileen
  • Helen
  • Imelda
  • Jacqueline
  • Jane
  • Katherine
  • Laura
  • Louise
  • Marie
  • Mary
  • Patricia

Similar and related surnames

Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.

How to communicate the surname MacMahon in...

Braille

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There are approximately 492 people named MacMahon in the UK. That makes it one of Britain's least common surnames. Only around eight in a million people in Britain are named MacMahon.

Origin: Celtic

Region of origin: British Isles

Country of origin: Ireland

Religion of origin: Christian

Language of origin: Gaelic

The Genealogist - UK census, BMDs and more online

Famous people named MacMahon

  • Percy Alexander MacMahon - Mathematician (1854 to 1929)
  • Brian MacMahon - Epidemiologist and cancer researcher (1923 to 2007)

Names and descriptions courtesy of Wikipedia, and may contain errors. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of every famous person with this name.

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