Surname Mahoney - Meaning and Origin

Unraveling the DNA of Mahoney: A Tale of Irish, Vikings, and Spanish Ancestry through iGENEA Test

The genealogical voyage ignited by my surname Mahoney took a surprising turn when I took the iGENEA DNA test. As I plunged into the DNA results, any presumptions I had made about my Irish lineage got reshuffled, unveiling an unexpected cocktail of Celtic, Viking, and even Spanish roots.

R. Mahoney

Mahoney: What does the surname Mahoney mean?

The surname Mahoney is of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic name "O'Mathghamhna", which means "descendant of Mathghamhan". Mathghamhan itself is a diminutive form of "mathghamhan" which means ‘bear’. It originates from the descendants of a chieftain in the old kingdom of Desmond, located in South Western Ireland around modern-day Cork and Kerry. This name implies a connection to strength, courage, and leadership. It is one of the most common surnames in Ireland, with a particularly strong presence in County Cork. Like many Irish surnames, it has seen numerous spelling variations, including Mahony, O'Mahony, and O'Mahoney, among others.

Mahoney: Where does the name Mahoney come from?

The last name Mahoney is most commonly found in Ireland and surrounding countries. It is one of the most frequently seen last names in England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, Northern Ireland, and Australia. In the United States, the last name Mahoney is most commonly found in Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, California, Wisconsin, Florida, Texas, and Maryland. The Mahoney surname is also found in other parts of North America, such as Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean. The Mahoney name also has a presence in South America, Asia, and Africa.

Although the Mahoney surname originated in Ireland, its variants, such as Mac Mahoney, O'Mahoney, and Mahony, are most popular amongst Irish descendants. This name may be derived from the Gaelic name Mathghamhain, which is an abbreviation of the phrase “Mahat, aenach Ghabhainn,” meaning “Bear-bulky, assembly (of warriors).”

The most prominent person to bear the Mahoney name is probably actor John C. Mahoney, who is most well-known for his role as the lovingly curmudgeonly Martin Crane in the award-winning television sitcom Frasier. He has been nominated for two Primetime Emmy Awards and two Screen Actors Guild Awards for his performance in the series.

In sum, the last name Mahoney is most commonly found in Ireland and countries in Europe, North America, South America, Asia, and Africa. This surname likely derived from the Gaelic phrase Mathghamhain, and has been made famous by actor John C. Mahoney.

Variations of the surname Mahoney

The surnames Mahoney, Mahony, and O'Mahony are all variants of the same surname. Each name has its origin in the Irish Gaelic name ‘Ó MHághnuis’, which translates roughly to ‘descendant of the bear’.

The original spelling in the Irish Gaelic language was ‘Ó’, which is still in use in some Irish and Highland Scots regions today. Spellings carrying a ‘Mac’ in front of the name arose in the middle-ages, with ‘Mac Mathghamhna’ being the traditional translation. This spelling dropped out of circulation by the 1600s, but the ‘Ó’ form remained popular.

In the late 1700s, the prefix was changed to an ‘O’, with the ‘O’Mahoney’ spelling becoming the predominant spelling in all English-speaking countries in the centuries that followed.

Variants of the name can still be seen in some older spellings, such as ‘Mahon’, ‘Mahune’, and ‘M’Hony’; however, these are no longer in use.

In Scotland, the spelling ‘Mhic Mhathghamhna’ is also in use, and occasionally many of the variants previously mentioned can be seen.

The modern spelling of the surname – Mahoney – is now the most common British spelling, as well as the most frequent spelling in the United States; however, the other spellings above are still sometimes seen.

Famous people with the name Mahoney

• Denis Mahoney: Canadian actor.
• Clover Mahoney: American actress and producer.
• Maureen Mahoney: American lawyer and appellate advocate.
• Virginia Weidler: American actress.
• Michael Mahoney: American actor.
• Patrick Mahoney: Canadian actor.
• Johnny Mahoney: American singer and songwriter.
• Darren Mahoney: American actor and stand-up comedian.
• Willie Mahoney: American actor and video game designer.
• Billie Jean King: American tennis player and author.
• Lawrence Mahoney: American poet.
• Colleen Mahoney: American women's rights activist and author.
• Bill Mahoney: American businessman and entrepreneur.
• Mary Pat Mahoney: American nun and education leader.
• Asa Mahoney: Irish-born American Episcopal bishop.
• Kevin Mahoney: American sports executive.
• Miles Mahoney: Australian rugby league player.
• George Mahoney: American politician and lawyer.
• William Enders Mahoney: American physician and finally medical officer.
• Abbie Mahoney: American librarian and library activist.

Other surnames

MahonMahony