McMahon History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms 

Origins Available: 
  Ireland-Alt 
  Ireland 


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


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
McMahon Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

McMahon migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

McMahon Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
McMahon Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

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

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

Contemporary Notables of the name McMahon (post 1700) +


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.
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