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Show ContentsMcMahon History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
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Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

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In its ancient Gaelic form, the Irish name McMahon was written Mac Mathghamhna, which later became Mac Mathuna. Both names are derived from the word "mathghamhan," which means "bear."

Early Origins of the McMahon family

The surname McMahon was first found in County Clare (Irish: An Clár) located on the west coast of Ireland in the province of Munster, where the MacMahons were lords of Corca Baisgin; and possessed the greater part of the baronies of Moyarta and Clonderlaw. 1

"The Munster MacMahons formerly possessed the greater part of the Baronies of Moyarta and Clonderalaw, in the County Clare, in which county the predominant name now is McMahon." 2

Early History of the McMahon family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our McMahon research. Another 110 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1119, 1519, 1600, 1606, 1643, 1644, 1650, 1660, 1680, 1707, 1715, 1727, 1737, 1747 and 1780 are included under the topic Early McMahon History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

McMahon Spelling Variations

Many variations of the name McMahon were found in archives from the Middle Ages. Names during the Middle Ages were typically recorded as they sounded and in many cases, one's surname spelling changed with each record.The spelling and language in which the people's names were recorded was often up to the individual scribe. Variations of the name McMahon found include MacMahon, MacMann, MacMahan, MacMohan and others.

Early Notables of the McMahon family

Notable amongst the family name at this time was Séamus mac Pilib Mac Mathghamhna (died 1519), was Bishop of Derry. Hugh Oge MacMahon (1606-1644), was an Irish conspirator, was probably of Sir Brian MacHugh Oge MacMahon, Lord of the Dartree in the county of Monaghan. Herber MacMahon (1600-1650), Bishop of Clogher in 1643, a Catholic leader, commanded the Ulster...
Another 59 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early McMahon Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

McMahon World Ranking

In the United States, the name McMahon is the 990th most popular surname with an estimated 29,844 people with that name. 3 However, in Canada, the name McMahon is ranked the 885th most popular surname with an estimated 6,042 people with that name. 4 And in Australia, the name McMahon is the 180th popular surname with an estimated 17,441 people with that name. 5 New Zealand ranks McMahon as 694th with 1,025 people. 6 The United Kingdom ranks McMahon as 551st with 11,787 people. 7

United States McMahon migration to the United States +

Irish families fled the English-colonized Ireland in record numbers during the 19th century for North America. Many of those destitute families died from disease during, and even shortly after, the long journey. Although those that immigrated before the Great Potato Famine of the 1840s often were granted a tract of land, those that arrived later were generally accommodated in urban centers or in work camps. Those in the urban centers would labor in the manufacturing sector, whereas those in work camps would to build critical infrastructures such as bridges, canals, roads, and railways. Regardless of when these Irish immigrants came to North America, they were critical for the rapid development of the young nations of the United States and Canada. Early immigration and passenger lists have recorded many early immigrants bearing the name of McMahon:

McMahon Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Morgan McMahon, who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1746 8
McMahon Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Alex McMahon, who landed in America in 1805 8
  • Grizzy McMahon, who landed in America in 1805 8
  • Martin McMahon, who arrived in New York, NY in 1817 8
  • Philip McMahon, who arrived in Washington County, Pennsylvania in 1821 8
  • Thomas McMahon, who landed in Charleston, South Carolina in 1822 8
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Canada McMahon migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

McMahon Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
  • Felix McMahon, who landed in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1752
McMahon Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • Francis McMahon, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1817
  • James McMahon, aged 20, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Edward Reid" in 1833
  • Margaret McMahon, aged 29, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Protector" in 1834
  • John McMahon, aged 16, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1834 aboard the brig "Breeze" from Dublin, Ireland
  • Kitty McMahon, aged 30, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1834 aboard the brig "Betsy Heron" from Belfast, Ireland
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Australia McMahon migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

McMahon Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Matthew McMahon, Canadian convict from Montreal, who was transported aboard the "Ann" on August 1809, settling in New South Wales, Australia 9
  • Patrick McMahon, English convict from Middlesex, who was transported aboard the "Ann" on August 1809, settling in New South Wales, Australia 9
  • Mr. Bryan McMahon, Canadian covict who was convicted in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada for life, transported aboard the "Atlas" on 16th January 1816, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 10
  • Mr. John McMahon, English convict who was convicted in Westminster, London, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Baring" in December 1818, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 11
  • Mr. John McMahon, English convict who was convicted in London, England for 14 years, transported aboard the "Claudine" on 20th May 1821, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 12
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

New Zealand McMahon migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

McMahon Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Bernard McMahon, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Whitby" in 1841
  • Margaret McMahon, aged 24, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Lloyds" in 1842
  • James McMahon, aged 1, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Lloyds" in 1842
  • Dr. Mcmahon, British settler, as the 2nd Detachment of New Zealand Corps of Royal New Zealand Fencibles travelling from Gravesend aboard the ship "Minerva" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 8th October 1847 13
  • Miss Mary McMahon, Scottish settler from Edinburgh travelling from Glasgow aboard the ship "Strathfieldsaye" arriving in Port Chalmers, Dunedin, Otago, South Island, New Zealand on 29th April 1858 14
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name McMahon (post 1700) +

  • Linda Marie McMahon (b. 1948), née Edwards, American professional wrestling magnate and politician, 25th Administrator of the Small Business Administration (2017-)
  • Jenna McMahon (1933-2015), born Mary Virginia Skinner, American Emmy Award winning writer, producer, actress and comedian, known for her work on The Carol Burnett Show (1967), The Facts of Life (1979) and Mama's Family (1983)
  • Major-General William Claude McMahon (1895-1990), American Deputy Chief of Staff, 6th Army (1947-1949) 15
  • Brigadier-General Leo Thomas McMahon (1893-1987), American Commanding General Artillery XXIII Corps (1945) 16
  • Brigadier-General John Eugene Jr. McMahon (1890-1971), American Commanding Officer Artillery, 77th Division (1942-1943) 17
  • Michael McMahon (b. 1957), United States Congressman from the 13th district of New York State
  • Edward Leo Peter "Ed" McMahon (1923-2009), American entertainer, best known for his work on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson
  • Jennifer McMahon (b. 1968), American novelist
  • Garry McMahon (1937-2008), Irish Gaelic footballer for Kerry (1958-1962)
  • John Terrence McMahon OAM (1932-2024), Australian cricketer
  • ... (Another 8 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Empress of Ireland
  • Mr. Peter McMahon (d. 1914), British Fireman from United Kingdom who worked aboard the Empress of Ireland and died in the sinking 18
RMS Lusitania
  • Mr. Patrick Mcmahon, Irish Fireman from Monaghan, Ireland, who worked aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and died in the sinking 19
  • Mr. Patrick Mcmahon, Irish Fireman from Monaghan, Ireland, who worked aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and survived the sinking 19
RMS Titanic
  • Mr. Martin McMahon (d. 1912), aged 20, Irish Third Class passenger from Craghbrien, Clare who sailed aboard the RMS Titanic and died in the sinking 20
Senghenydd colliery
  • Mr. Albert Edward McMahon (b. 1883), Welsh coal miner from Abertridwr, Caerphilly, Wales who was working at the Senghenydd colliery when there was an explosion on the 14th October 1913; he died

The McMahon Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Sic nos sic sacra tuemur
Motto Translation: Thus we guard our sacred rights.
  1. MacLysaght, Edward, Irish Families Their Names, Arms and Origins 4th Edition. Dublin: Irish Academic, 1982. Print. (ISBN 0-7165-2364-7)
  2. Matheson, Robert E., Special Report on Surnames in Ireland with Notes as to Numeric Strength, Derivation, Ethnology, and Distribution. Dublin: Alexander Thom & Co., 1894. Print
  3. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  4. "Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
  5. "Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
  6. "Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
  7. "UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
  8. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
  9. State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Ann voyage to New South Wales, Australia in 1809 with 200 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/ann/1809
  10. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 14th July 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/atlas
  11. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 16th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/baring
  12. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 17th February 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/claudine
  13. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  14. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 26th March 2019). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  15. Generals of World War II. (Retrieved 2013, May 9) William McMahon. Retrieved from http://generals.dk/general/McMahon/William_Claude/USA.html
  16. Generals of World War II. (Retrieved 2013, May 9) Leo McMahon. Retrieved from http://generals.dk/general/McMahon/Leo_Thomas/USA.html
  17. Generals of World War II. (Retrieved 2013, May 9) John McMahon. Retrieved from http://generals.dk/general/McMahon/John_Eugene_Jr./USA.html
  18. Commemoration Empress of Ireland 2014. (Retrieved 2014, June 17) . Retrieved from http://www.empress2014.ca/seclangen/listepsc1.html
  19. Lusitania Passenger List - The Lusitania Resource. (Retrieved 2014, March 7) . Retrieved from http://www.rmslusitania.info/lusitania-passenger-list/
  20. Titanic Passenger List - Titanic Facts. (Retrieved 2016, July 13) . Retrieved from http://www.titanicfacts.net/titanic-passenger-list.html
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