Mahony History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:

Ireland

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The many Irish surnames in use today have long rich histories behind them. The name Mahony 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 Mahony family

The surname Mahony 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 Mahony family

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

Mahony Spelling Variations

One name was often recorded under several different spellings during the life of its bearer because one must realize that attempting to record a Gaelic name in English is a daunting task at the best of times. Spelling variations revealed in the search for the origin of the Mahony family name include Mahoney, O'Mahoney, O'Mahony, Mahony and others.

Early Notables of the Mahony family

Another 47 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Mahony Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Mahony Ranking

In Australia, the name Mahony is the 980^th most popular surname with an estimated 4,044 people with that name. 4

Mahony migration to the United States +

The 18th and 19th centuries saw many Irish families immigrate to North America in search of land and opportunities. The largest influx of Irish immigrants to the United States and British North America came during the 1840s when the Great Potato Famine laid waste to their homeland. Hundreds of thousands left the island in an attempt to escape the starvation and disease it brought. Although the arrival of such a large number of destitute Irish was not welcomed by the established population in the United States and what would become known as Canada at the time, these Irish were an essential element to the rapid development of these growing industrial nations. They filled the demand for the cheap labor needed for the work in factories and in the construction of bridges, roads, canals, and railways. An examination of passenger and immigration lists has revealed many immigrants bearing the name of Mahony or one of its variants:

Mahony Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Teag Mahony, who arrived in Maryland in 1668 5
Ellen Mahony, who arrived in Maryland in 1678 5
Mall Mahony, who arrived in Maryland in 1680 5

Mahony Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Paul Mahony, who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1746 5
Margaret Mahony, who landed in Boston, Massachusetts in 1766 5
Dennis Mahony, who arrived in Boston, Massachusetts in 1766 5

Mahony Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

F Mahony, who landed in New York, NY in 1816 5
John Mahony, who landed in Mississippi in 1844 5
James S Mahony, who landed in San Francisco, California in 1849 5
Mary Mahony, aged 17, who arrived in New York, NY in 1850 5
Jeremian Mahony, who arrived in San Francisco, California in 1851 5
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Mahony migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Mahony Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Patrick Mahony, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1749-1752
Pat Mahony was a fisherman of St. John's, Newfoundland in 1774 6
Darby Mahony was a shoreman in Torbay, Newfoundland in 1774
John Mahony, from Mitchelstown, County Cork, an Irish convict, who landed at Petty Harbour in 1789

Mahony Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Maurice Mahony from County Cork was married at Rider's Harbour in 1819
Bridget Mahony, aged 30, who arrived in Canada in 1823
Henry Mahony, aged 26, who arrived in Canada in 1823
John Mahony, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1827
John Mahony, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1828
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Mahony migration to Australia +

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

Mahony Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. Maurice Mahony, (b. 1793), aged 21, Irish labourer who was convicted in Waterford, Ireland for life for unlawful oaths, transported aboard the "Canada" on 5th December 1814, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 7
Mr. Michael Mahony, (b. 1793), aged 21, Irish farm labourer who was convicted in Waterford, Ireland for life for unlawful oaths, transported aboard the "Canada" on 5th December 1814, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, he died in 1864 7
Miss Catherine Mahony, (b. 1790), aged 28, Irish house maid who was convicted in Cork, Ireland for 7 years for robbery, transported aboard the "Elizabeth" on 26th July 1818, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 8
Mr. Cane Mahony, (b. 1790), aged 40, Irish clerk who was convicted in County Cork, Ireland for life for theft, transported aboard the "Forth" on 1st January 1830, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, he died in 1834 9
Mr. Michael Mahony, (b. 1809), aged 21, Irish servant who was convicted in Limerick, Ireland for 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the "Forth" on 1st January 1830, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, he was executed in 1836 9
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Mahony 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:

Mahony Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Ellen Mahony, aged 22, a servant, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Halcione" in 1870 10
Ellen Mahony, aged 22, a housemaid, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Avalanche" in 1875
Daniel Mahony, aged 20, a labourer, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Wairoa" in 1877
Terence Mahony, aged 34, a farm labourer, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Hermione" in 1878
Johannah Mahony, aged 28, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Hermione" in 1878
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Mahony (post 1700) +

Leo Halpin Mahony (b. 1931), American architect
Eoghan Mahony, American television writer and producer
Roger Michael Mahony (b. 1936), American cardinal and retired prelate of the Roman Catholic Church
John J. Mahony, American Democratic Party politician, Member of Connecticut State House of Representatives from Derby; Elected 1930; postmaster at Derby, Connecticut, 1936-46 11
John J. Mahony, American politician, U.S. Consul in Algiers, 1852 11
James F. Mahony, American Democratic Party politician, Member of New York State Assembly from New York County 11th District, 1916-17 11
Frances L. Mahony, American Democratic Party politician, Candidate for New York State Senate 34th District, 2002 11
Philip Mahony (1897-1972), Irish Clann na Talmhan politician
Tom Mahony, Irish sportsperson
Pauric 'Paudie' Mahony (b. 1992), Irish hurler
... (Another 10 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)