Surname MacMathon - Meaning and Origin

MacMathon: What does the surname MacMathon mean?

The surname MacMathon is of Irish origin, specifically from the Gaelic "Mac Mathghamhna" which translates to "son of the bear." This surname was further anglicized to McMahon and is common in the Northern region of Ireland. The prefix "Mac" is an identifier meaning "son of," while "Mathghamhna" is a personal name derived from the Irish word for bear. This indicates that the person with this surname is descended from someone who was known for his strength and power, similar to the characteristics of a bear. The McMahons were influential figures in Irish history, ruling an area known as the Kingdom of Oriel, which is now called County Monaghan, from around the 13th to the 17th century. So, the name MacMathon carries a historic and noble implication as well.

MacMathon: Where does the name MacMathon come from?

The last name MacMathon originates from Ireland. It is an Anglicized form of the Irish Gaelic name "Mac Mathghamhna", meaning "son of the bear". It is likely a variant of the more common name "MacMahon", which originates from the same Gaelic root. The name became known in Ireland in counties such as Monaghan and Clare, where the MacMahon families held significant power and feudal lordships in ancient and medieval times.

Despite this, the exact spelling of "MacMathon" itself is quite rare and uncommon globally today. The MacMahon variant, however, continues to be prevalent, particularly in Ireland. The "Mac" or "Mc" prefix typically indicates Irish or Scottish ancestry. The distribution of the MacMahon name (and likely MacMathon as well) has spread with the Irish diaspora, making it present in nations such as the United States, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and the United Kingdom. It should be noted though that in those places, it is still significantly less common compared to the total population.

Variations of the surname MacMathon

The surname MacMathon, usually associated with Irish origin, has several alternative spellings and related surnames based on phonetic similarities, cultural variations, and translation differences. The variants may come from either the Anglicised version or the original Gaelic.

The most common variation is McMahon, which is widely recognized and used. The original Gaelic form of the name is Mac Mathghamhna, which means 'son of the bear.'

MacMahon, Mahon, Mathon, MacMahan, MacMann, Machon, MacMathuna, MacMannus and McMahan are other phonetic variations. MacMachon and McMathon could also be considered variants.

In terms of regional changes, the name Mahony, prevalent in Cork, might be related. The names Mathews and Mathewson, derived from 'Mac Mhathghamhna,' could also be associated with the name MacMathon.

It's important to note the addition or removal of the prefix 'Mac' or 'Mc' does not necessarily change the origin of the surname and can be considered an alternative spelling, as it simply means 'son of' in Gaelic. Different spellings may also occur due to transliteration from the original Gaelic to English, as well as misspellings over time.

Famous people with the name MacMathon

• Greg MacMahon: an American television director and producer who has worked as a director for many television shows such as 'Everybody Loves Raymond', 'Friends', 'The Office', 'Two and a Half Men' and 'The Big Bang Theory'.
• Jack MacMahon: an Australian composer and producer whose works include the music for 'Rugrats', 'CatDog', and the musical score for the computer game 'The Sims 2'.
• Jill MacMahon: a Canadian writer, director, and actress of stage and screen. She is most famous for her work on the television series 'Rookie Blue'.
• George MacMahon: an American film and television producer, best known for his work on the popular TV series 'The Brady Bunch'.
• John MacMahon: a Scottish footballer who played for numerous clubs in Scotland, England and Europe including Manchester City, Aberdeen and Dundee United.
• Andrew MacMahon: an Irish actor known for his roles in films such as 'The Commitments', 'Intermission' and 'Veronica Guerin'.
• Michael MacMahon: a retired Canadian ice hockey defenseman who played in the NHL for the Calgary Flames and New Jersey Devils.
• Stephen MacMahon: a British playwright and actor whose works have been shown in the UK, US, Canada, and Europe.
• Caitlin MacMahon: an American actress who has appeared in television shows like 'My Name Is Earl', '30 Rock', and 'Law & Order'. She also starred in the Broadway show 'Cabaret' in 2014.
• Darina MacMahon: an Irish TV presenter who has worked on shows such as 'Ireland AM' and 'You're a Star'.

Other surnames

MacMath