Surname Mac Mahon - Meaning and Origin
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Mac Mahon: What does the surname Mac Mahon mean?
The surname Mac Mahon is of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic "Mac Mathghamhna," meaning "son of the bear." The name originates from two distinct septs, or clans, in Ireland. One based in County Clare and the other in County Monaghan. The Mac Mahon's from County Clare were part of the Dalcassians, a powerful tribal grouping that also included the O'Briens, while the Mac Mahon's from County Monaghan were rulers of the Kingdom of Oriel, a major medieval Irish kingdom. The surname Mac Mahon would thus signify one's ancestry and association with these powerful Irish dynasties. It's important to note variations in spelling due to Anglicization, and the name can also appear as McMahon, MacMahon, or Mahon among others.
Order DNA origin analysisMac Mahon: Where does the name Mac Mahon come from?
The last name Mac Mahon has its origins in Ireland. It is derived from the Gaelic name "Mac Mathghamhna" which translates to "son of bear". The name first originated in County Monaghan in the northern part of the Republic of Ireland, where the Mac Mahons were lords of the kingdom of Oriel from the 13th to 17th century. They were highly influential, holding a significant amount of power and land.
Today, the name is most common in Ireland, particularly in its region of origin, County Monaghan. However, due to immigration patterns associated with events such as the Great Famine of the 19th Century, the name has also spread throughout the world. It's quite common in countries with a large Irish diaspora, like the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada. Despite some variations in spelling, such as McMahon, Macmahon, or even Mahon, the name's linkage to its Irish heritage remains similar.
Variations of the surname Mac Mahon
The surname Mac Mahon is of Irish origin and traditionally means "son of bear". It is a variant spelling of the popular Irish surname McMahon. Other common spellings include MacMahon and Mc Mahon.
It is important to note that in Irish surnames, the prefix "Mac" or "Mc" denotes "son of", implying descent from a common ancestor. In this case, the ancestor was presumably named Mahon. The surname could also exist without the prefix, simply as Mahon.
In addition to these, there can also be anglicised forms of the same name, which may not include the prefix or might change the spelling of the second part of the name. For instance, Mathuna and O'Mathuna are not uncommon variants in the Irish-speaking regions of Ireland.
Each of these variants can exist with or without a space between the prefix and the second part of the name. Adding or omitting an apostrophe can also change the outcome, giving rise to forms like O'Mahon or O'MacMahon.
In summary, variants of Mac Mahon include McMahon, MacMahon, Mc Mahon, Mahon, Mathuna, O'Mathuna, O'Mahon, and O'MacMahon, among others.
Famous people with the name Mac Mahon
- Vince McMahon: An American professional wrestling promoter, commentator, film producer & occasional actor, currently serving as the majority owner & chairman of WWE.
- Stephanie McMahon: American businesswoman and the chief brand officer of WWE. She is the daughter of Vince McMahon and the wife of Triple H.
- Ed McMahon: Late American announcer, game show host, comedian, actor and singer, best known for his role on "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson."
- Linda McMahon: American politician and professional wrestling executive, who served as the administrator of the Small Business Administration under President Donald Trump. She is the wife of Vince McMahon.
- Shane McMahon: An American businessman and professional wrestler, known for being a part of WWE, and is the son of Vince McMahon.
- Julian McMahon: Australian-American actor and model, known for his roles in "Nip/Tuck", "Charmed", and "Fantastic Four".
- Mary MacMahon: Irish politician and former senator.
- Drew McMahon: An American singer-songwriter, lead vocalist of Jack's Mannequin and Something Corporate.
- Jim McMahon: Retired American football player. He was a professional NFL quarterback.
- Gerald MacMahon: Notable American chef.
- A. P. McMahon: Renowned Irish musician.