Surname MacMonagle - Meaning and Origin
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MacMonagle: What does the surname MacMonagle mean?
The last name MacMonagle is an Anglicized version of the Irish surname “Mac Mhaighnealóg”, which comes from the Gaelic elements “Mac” meaning “son of”, and “Maighnealóg” which likely comes from “maighe”, or “plain”, and “og” which translates to “youth”. Therefore, the literal meaning of the last name MacMonagle can be roughly translated as “son of the youth of the plain”.
The MacMonagles were a family of Irish nobility with an ancient pedigree dating as far back as the 12th century. They were a branch of the powerful O'Donnell family, the rulers of most of Tyrconnell-modern day county Donegal. Dominating the area for many centuries, the MacMonagle clan found themselves honored by the English crown during the 1600s for their valiant service to their home country and were granted estates and a new hereditary title.
Today, the MacMonagles are scattered throughout the world, but many still live in their ancestral homeland of Ireland. Despite the vast distances between them, all members of the MacMonagle family find comfort and pride in the bonds that connect them to each other through their shared history and heritage. As the saying goes, “The family that stays together, is a family that is strong together”, so the MacMonagles are not limited to their shared last name, but their strong familial bond which keeps them connected.
Order DNA origin analysisMacMonagle: Where does the name MacMonagle come from?
The MacMonagle surname is found mostly in the Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland today. The surname originated in County Donegal, where it is still common today. It has also spread to surrounding counties such as Derry and Antrim. The surname is strongly associated with the Irish-Gaelic tradition, as Gaelic surnames were typically patronymic in origin.
In Ireland, the MacMonagle name is found mostly in Donegal, Mayo, Sligo, and Galway. There are some other settings in Northern Ireland and Scotland, but they are relatively rare. As of the census taken in 1880, there were approximately 3,000 people in Scotland with the MacMonagle surname.
Outside of Ireland, the name is found mostly in the United Kingdom, the United States, and Canada. The MacMonagles that emigrated to the United States in the 19th century settled mainly in Connecticut, New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania. In Canada, the MacMonagles were among the first Irish settlers and the surname is found predominantly in Ontario, Newfoundland and Labrador, and New Brunswick.
The MacMonagle name has a long and varied history. It is an enduring reminder of the strong Irish-Gaelic tradition and is still seen in many countries around the world.
Variations of the surname MacMonagle
The surname MacMonagle is thought to have originated in Ireland. It has several variants and spellings, as well as surnames of the same origin, each with its own pronunciation and meaning.
One of the most common and well-documented variations of the name is the spelling “MacMongal”. Similarly, the surname “MacMonigle” is also found, particularly in Scotland. The latter spelling is sometimes anglicised to variations such as “MacMonagle” and “MacMungell”, with the addition of an -e at the end or simply sounding it differently.
The surname MacMonagle can also be found in the Irish form of Mac Maoigile, which is generally accepted as being the same name, stemming from the Gaelic Mac an Mhaoiligh, meaning “son of the servant of the devotee of (St.) Molaga”.
In addition, there are also surnames of the same origin that sound very similar to MacMonagle, such as “McMongle”, “MacMangal”, “MacMongel”, “McMonagi”, and “McIMonogill”.
As with any surname, MacMonagle is constantly evolving with the times, and more variants of this Irish name are being created as people move from place to place and times change.
Famous people with the name MacMonagle
- John MacMonagle, Irish artist
- Finbar MacMonagle, Irish actor
- Patrick MacMonagle, Irish poet
- Luke MacMonagle, American football player
- Eamonn MacMonagle, Irish politician
- Bryan MacMonagle, Canadian hockey player
- Maeve MacMonagle, Irish Paralympic rower
- Méabh MacMonagle, Irish journalist
- Seán MacMonagle, Irish lawyer
- Claire MacMonagle, Irish writer