Surname Mac Mathghamhna - Meaning and Origin
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Mac Mathghamhna: What does the surname Mac Mathghamhna mean?
The last name Mac Mathghamhna is of Irish origin. It is derived from the Gaelic, Mac Mathghamhna, which means “Son of the Bear.” It is a combination of math, meaning “bear” and the gender prefix “mac,” denoting “son.”
Historically, the name was most prominent in Counties Cork and Kerry in the far south of Ireland and was found rarely in other parts of the country. The name is also found in places such as Scotland, where it was first recorded in the Calendar of Assize records of 1408 in the Aberdeen district.
It is believed that the original bearers of the surname were the descendants of a Mathghamhnas O’Pronun of the Clare clan. He was a warrior and guardian of an ancient gateway between County Clare and the Island of Aran. Through protecting this gateway he gained great fame and the name “Mac Mathghamhna” was born.
In modern times, the Mac Mathghamhna name and its variants have endured, although it is much less common than it was centuries ago. Those who carry the name today are said to be proud heirs to the Mathghamhnas of old, and are thought to be strong, courageous, and protective of their family and friends.
Order DNA origin analysisMac Mathghamhna: Where does the name Mac Mathghamhna come from?
The last name Mac Mathghamhna is most commonly associated with Irish ancestry. In Ireland, it is found primarily in the counties of Cork, Kerry and Galway, where it has been found since the Middle Ages. Examples of people with the name include the Kings of Desmond in the 16th century, and the bardic family of O' Sullivan Beare.
The last name is also commonly found in Scotland, particularly in the Scottish Highlands. It is believed to have descended from an Irish name, possibly originating in the islands of Islay, Arran, Jura and Bute. Some spellings of the name are MacGonigal, McGonagall and MacGonngham, among many others.
Outside of Ireland and Scotland, Mac Mathghamhna can be found in parts of England, Canada and the United States. The name is most frequently found in places with strong Irish populations, including Canada's Maritime provinces, Boston, New York City, Chicago and San Francisco.
Overall, the name Mac Mathghamhna is still highly present in its traditional homelands of Ireland and Scotland, but can be found around the world in pockets of Irish immigration. Most commonly associated with Irish origin, members of this family name trace their brave, longstanding legacy from the Middle Ages onward.
Variations of the surname Mac Mathghamhna
The Mac Mathghamhna surname has different variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. The most common spelling is Mac Mathghamhna, which is derived from the Irish Gaelic “Mathghamhnain” meaning “bear-cub”. This surname is most commonly found in the Irish Province of Connacht, particularly in the Mayo and Galway regions.
Other spellings of this surname include Mac Mahon, Mac Mahown, Mac Mahan, McGamhna, Magamhna, MacMaughan, and MacMagennis. These spellings all come from the same source and can be used to trace back the same ancestors.
In some cases, the surname has been changed to the Anglicized version of Mackown, which was first recorded in 1630. There are also variants which refer to the original Irish Gaelic spelling such as Mac Mathgamna, Mac Mahona, MacMaghon, and MacMathgamna.
Other names derived from the same origin include Mathghamha, Mathgamhnain, Mathghamhan, Mathgamhain, and Mathgamha. It is believed that these names derive from a common ancestor who adopted the “bear-cub” name, possibly a hunter or clan chief.
Various branches of the Mac Mathghamhna family have spread across Ireland, Scotland, and the United Kingdom, making it a far-reaching surname. Although some of its spellings may have changed or been Anglicized over time, all of them can ultimately be traced back to the same Irish Gaelic source.
Famous people with the name Mac Mathghamhna
- Niall Mac Mathghamhna: a famous Irish local politician from Co. Donegal.
- Fearghal Mac Mathghamhna: an Irish singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist.
- Seamus Mac Mathghamhna: a prominent Irish playwright, novelist, screenwriter and journalist.
- Grainne Mac Mathghamhna: an Irish traditional singer of sean nós low whistle player.
- Joe Mac Mathghamhna: an Irish folk singer songwriter, and actor from Northern Ireland.
- Maighread Mac Mathghamhna: an Irish traditional singer from County Galway.
- Mairead Ni Dhomhnaill Mac Mathghamhna: an Irish folk singer and harper.
- Fionnuala Mac Mathghamhna: an Irish folk singer and flutist.
- Brian Mac Mathghamhna: an Irish poet, novelist and playwright.
- Mac Mathghamhna: former chieftain of the Mac Mathghamhnas, a Gaelic clan of Donegal, Ireland.