Surname Mac Mathuna - Meaning and Origin
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Mac Mathuna: What does the surname Mac Mathuna mean?
The Irish surname Mac Mathuna (also anglicized as McMathun, MacMahon, MacMahon, Matheny, and Mathuna) is derived from the Gaelic-Irish surname MacMahon. It is an ancient Irish surname that has its origins in County Cork and belongs to the family of the Uí Néill clan of ancient Ireland.
The surname Mac Mathuna is made up of two parts: "Mac," a term meaning "son of," and "Mathuna," a personal name derived from the Gaelic word for "bear cub." This suggests the Mac Mathuna family had a common ancestor with the same name who lived at some point in the past.
The most likely origin of the surname is that it originated with the MacMahon family of south-west Cork, likely in the town of Schull in the early 16th century. After this time, many of the family members moved to counties Mayo, Clare, Kerry, Limerick and Galway, spreading the name across the region.
Today the surname is not widespread, but it does appear in many countries around the world, both inside and outside of Ireland. It is also a popular name in the United States, where a significant number of Irish immigrants settled during the 19th and early 20th centuries. In the US, it is often rendered as McMahon or with a slight variation, such as McMahan or Macmahon.
Order DNA origin analysisMac Mathuna: Where does the name Mac Mathuna come from?
The last name “Mac Mathuna” is most commonly found in County Clare, Ireland. The name is derived from the Gaelic personal name Mathghamhain and roughly means “son of Mathghamhain.” It is an established old Irish name which has been present in the county for many generations.
In recent decades, with improved access to international travel, many Mac Mathunas have moved overseas to places such as England, Scotland, the United States, Canada, and Australia. These individuals often retain strong connections to their homeland of County Clare, however, and many have returned to visit or resettle there.
Despite its relatively small physical size, County Clare is full of a proud and lively heritage, and many of the surnames found in the area bear witness to the awesome antiquity of the region. The old Irish name Mac Mathuna is remembered fondly by many of the county’s inhabitants and continues to take its rightful place amongst the varied heritage of County Clare.
Variations of the surname Mac Mathuna
There are many variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Mac Mathuna. These include MacMaghan, MacManas, MacManus, Machonas, Machonus, MacMath, MacMathun, Machan, Machan, Magenn, Maghann, Maghanns, Maghanon, Maghenn, Magheunes, Machnane, Machnan, and Machnon.
This surname originated in Ireland before the 12th century. It is a patronymic form of the Gaelic name ‘Mathghamhain’ which means ‘bear’. By the late 1700’s, this name had become popular in Northern Ireland. The variants of this name can also be found in Scotland.
The various spellings of this surname could be attributed to the dialects spoken in different parts of Ireland and Scotland. During the 1700’s, some spellings of the name, such as MacMath and MacManas were used interchangeably. Over time some spellings were dropped and new ones added.
The surnames Machonas, Machonus, MacMaghan and MacManus were used in Scotland during the 19th and 20th centuries. MacMathun and Magheunes are more recent variants that have appeared in Scotland.
The surnames Machnane and Machan are derived from the Irish form of the name MacMathuna. Machnan and Machnon are modern variants of the name that have become popular in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
Mac Mathuna is an old Irish surname that continues to be used in Ireland and Scotland today. Although its original spelling has changed over many centuries, its meaning remains the same.
Famous people with the name Mac Mathuna
- Seán Mac Mathúna: an Irish poet.
- Ardal Mac Mathúna: Irish folk singer, multi-instrumentalist and actor.
- Seosamh Mac Mathúna: an Irish folk singer and songwriter.
- Diarmuid Mac Mathúna: an Irish folk singer and lyricist.
- Caoimhín Mac Mathúna: an Irish singer, songwriter, and producer.
- Oisín Mac Mathúna: an Irish singer-songwriter and recording artist.
- Síle Mac Mathúna: an Irish harpist, singer, and storyteller.
- Séamus Mac Mathúna: an Irish folk musician from County Clare.
- Dónal Mac Mathúna: an Irish broadcaster, writer, and presenter.
- Breandán Mac Mathúna: an Irish singer and poet.