Mahoney History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms 

Origins Available: 
  Ireland 


The many Irish surnames in use today have long rich histories behind them. The name Mahoney originally appeared in Gaelic as Ó Mathghamhna, which is derived from the word mathghamhan, which means bear. 1 The modern Gaelic spelling is Ó Mahúna.

"Hugh Gharbh (or Hugh the Terrible), a younger brother of Laeghaire who is No. 93 on the 'O'Donaghue' (of Lough Lein) pedigree, was the ancestor of O'Mathamhna; anglicized O'Mahony and Mahony." 2

Early Origins of the Mahoney family

The surname Mahoney was first found in County Cork (Irish: Corcaigh) the ancient Kingdom of Deis Muin (Desmond), located on the southwest coast of Ireland in the province of Munster, where they held a family seat from ancient times.

"The O'Mahonys were anciently located in Cork and Kerry, where they were powerful Chiefs and sometimes styled Princes. They had several castles along the sea-coast. In County Cork an O'Mahony was Lord of Ivaugh, in the Barony of West Carbery, and an O'Mahony was Chief in Kinalea Barony. In County Kerry there was a Chief of the name in the Barony of Iveragh, and there were O'Mahonys in the Barony of Clanmaurice. The majority of persons of the name of Mahony or O'Mahony are still found in these two counties." 3

The Book of Munster clearly states: "The O'Mahony family were 'undisputed kings of Raithlean, and had a right to be kings of Cashel whenever that kingdom happened to be vacant; and from whom the Kings of Cashel had no right to demand anything except a bowing of the head.' " 2

Early History of the Mahoney family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Mahoney research. Another 179 words (13 lines of text) covering the years 1014, 1639, 1679 and 1987 are included under the topic Early Mahoney History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Mahoney Spelling Variations

The spelling of one's surname was not as important as it is today. Names were recorded as they sounded and in many cases, one's surname changed with each listing. As a result, surnames often had many spelling variations. For Mahoney some of these variations included: Mahoney, O'Mahoney, O'Mahony, Mahony and others.

Early Notables of the Mahoney family

Notable amongst the family name at this time was

Mahoney World Ranking

In the United States, the name Mahoney is the 1,071st most popular surname with an estimated 27,357 people with that name. 4 However, in Newfoundland, Canada, the name Mahoney is ranked the 354th most popular surname with an estimated 131 people with that name. 5 And in Australia, the name Mahoney is the 677th popular surname with an estimated 5,794 people with that name. 6


Mahoney 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 Mahoney:

Mahoney Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
Mahoney Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Mahoney migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Mahoney Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Mahoney migration to Australia +

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

Mahoney Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mahoney 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:

Mahoney Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Contemporary Notables of the name Mahoney (post 1700) +
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