Surname MacMenamin - Meaning and Origin

MacMenamin: What does the surname MacMenamin mean?

The surname MacMenamin is derived from the Irish Gaelic Mac Meanman, which means “son of the Venerable Man”. The prefix 'mac' denotes a “son of” relation to the ancestral father, while the suffix 'Menamin' likely refers to a person who was held in high regard by his peers.

The original name-bearer of the clan MacMenamin was a man by the name of Menamon, who is said to have taken the surname of his father, who was known as the Venerable Man.

The MacMenamins are believed to have been closely related to the Ó Cahans, a well-known Irish family. This relationship likely explains their emergence and prominence in the area of County Derry in Northern Ireland, which was culmin of the ancient territory of the Ó Cahans.

The MacMenamin clan were respectable members of the Irish society, and they held various rankings in the court of law of the travels of clóca or markets, where they represented the interests of the Ó Cahans.

Despite their relationship to the Ó Cahans, the MacMenamins maintained a certain level of independence from them. They were known to have acquired land throughout the County Derry and it is believed they are even the founders of the town of Fivemiletown.

The MacMenamins were influential and respected in the area and remain so to this day. Many of the descendants bear the distinguished name and are proud of the legacy of their ancestors.

MacMenamin: Where does the name MacMenamin come from?

The last name MacMenamin is commonly found in Ireland, Scotland, Northern Ireland, and the United States. In Ireland, the majority of MacMenamins can be found in the province of Ulster, particularly in County Armagh and County Down. In Scotland, MacMenamins are more numerous in the western and southwestern parts, although it is still far from being a common surname throughout. Northern Ireland is home to a few pockets of MacMenamins in the eastern and northern parts of the country.

In the United States, the majority of MacMenamins are located in the eastern states, particularly in areas with a strong points of Irish immigration such as New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island and more recently in parts of Texas and Florida. To give an idea of how common the last name is in the states, there are a total of 1,769 people with the last name according to the Census Bureau 2018 figures.

Most MacMenamins are of Irish descent, and the vast majority of them trace their ancestors back to Northern Ireland or Scotland, although there likely some with roots in other areas. The surname is an anglicized form of the Irish (Gaelic) name Mac Mathghamhna, derived from "mathgh", meaning bear. A variety of spellings exists for this last name, including including MacMenamin, MacMenamy, MacMinn, and MacNamara. However, the most common spelling is MacMenamin.

Overall, the surname MacMenamin can primarily be found in areas where Irish/Scottish immigration was prominent. The surname is less common on mainland Europe, however, since it is primarily of Irish and Scottish origin.

Variations of the surname MacMenamin

MacMenamin is an Irish surname with a variety of different spellings and variant forms. The most common spelling is MacMenamin and it is generally found in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

Variants include Mac Nemuin, which was quite common in medieval Ireland. It is thought to originate from the Gaelic name MacMhuimhneachain, meaning ‘son of the hound of the plain’.

The anglicised variations of the name work on a similar principle, such as MacMinnam, MacMinnem, MacMinnem and MacMinnammin. The prefix “Mac” indicates the father or son of an ancestor, while the second part of the surname indicates their place of residence.

Another common variant is Menamin, which is usually an Anglicisation of MacMenamin, but it sometimes occurs as a variation on its own. This version of the name is another way of expressing ‘the hound of the plain’.

In addition to MacMenamin, there are various other ways in which the family name is spelled. These alternative spellings include MacManamon, McMennamon, Manimin, McManonam, MacMannam, and MacMenon.

Surnames derived from MacMenamin include: Manamin, Manimin, Minamont, Minamond, Menon, Mennon, Menamin, and MacMinnim.

Overall, MacMenamin was an influential surname and has had a long-lasting impact on Irish culture and heritage. The different spellings and variants are testament to its prominence in medieval times.

Famous people with the name MacMenamin

• Jack MacMenamin: Irish actor, best known for his roles in Game of Thrones, Ripper Street, and Camelot.
• Keith MacMenamin: English retired footballer and current football manager.
• Blaine MacMenamin: Canadian actor, best known for portraying Billy in the television series Life with Derek.
• Aidan MacMenamin: Irish actor, known for playing Grint in the movie Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.
• Shaun MacMenamin: Scottish professional darts player who competes in tournaments around the world.
• John MacMenamin: Australian cricketer who played two first class matches for Victoria in the early 1960s.
• Iain MacMenamin: Scottish comedian and actor who has appeared in several BBC comedy shows, such as Ch4's Heading Out.
• Joey MacMenamin: Northern Irish actor, best known for his roles in John Carter and The Town.
• Patsy MacMenamin: Irish traditional musician from Roscommon in Ireland, primarily known for her playing of the concertina.
• Ricky MacMenamin: American basketball coach and former player, currently serving as the head coach of the StJohn's Red Storm men's basketball team.

Other surnames

MacMenamy