Show ContentsMonnahyn History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Many variations of the name Monnahyn have evolved since the time of its initial creation. In Gaelic it appeared as Ó Manachain, which is derived from the word "manach," which means "monk." 1

Early Origins of the Monnahyn family

The surname Monnahyn was first found in County Roscommon (Irish: Ros Comáin) located in central Ireland in the province of Connacht, where they held a family seat from ancient times.

Early History of the Monnahyn family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Monnahyn research. Another 109 words (8 lines of text) covering the year 1798 is included under the topic Early Monnahyn History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Monnahyn Spelling Variations

Those scribes in Ireland during the Middle Ages recorded names as they sounded. Consequently, in this era many people were recorded under different spellings each time their name was written down. Research on the Monnahyn family name revealed numerous spelling variations, including Monaghan, Monahan, Monagham, Monahon, Monagan, Mongan, Monaugher, Monck and many more.

Early Notables of the Monnahyn family

More information is included under the topic Early Monnahyn Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Monnahyn family

The 19th century saw a great wave of Irish families leaving Ireland for the distant shores of North America and Australia. These families often left their homeland hungry, penniless, and destitute due to the policies of England. Those Irish immigrants that survived the long sea passage initially settled on the eastern seaboard of the continent. Some, however, moved north to a then infant Canada as United Empire Loyalists after ironically serving with the English in the American War of Independence. Others that remained in America later joined the westward migration in search of land. The greatest influx of Irish immigrants, though, came to North America during the Great Potato Famine of the late 1840s. Thousands left Ireland at this time for North America, and those who arrived were immediately put to work building railroads, coal mines, bridges, and canals. In fact, the foundations of today's powerful nations of the United States and Canada were to a larger degree built by the Irish. Archival documents indicate that members of the Monnahyn family relocated to North American shores quite early: William Monahan, who settled in Virginia in 1654; Edward Monaghan, who arrived in New York, NY in 1806; Patrick Monagan, who arrived in Ontario in 1809.



  1. MacLysaght, Edward, The Surnames of Ireland. Ireland: Irish Academic Press, sixth edition, 1985. Print. (ISBN 0-7165-2366-3)


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