Surname Moynagh - Meaning and Origin
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Moynagh: What does the surname Moynagh mean?
The last name Moynagh is an anglicized version of an Irish surname. The name is derived from the Gaelic O Maonaigh, which translates to “descendant of the wealthy one”. This surname was often found in counties Kildare and Offaly in Ireland.
Moynagh is an Irish patronymic surname, which is created from the father’s first name and “-aidh”, the genitive case of the Irish word for descendant. Because patronymic surnames often changed over the centuries, Moynagh could also refer to descendants of other Gaelic names like O’Maoinach, which means “descendant of the follower of Maon”.
Today, Moynagh is an uncommon last name and is rarely found outside of Ireland. Those who bear the Moynagh surname are likely to be descended from ancient families in those regions of Ireland. Moynagh has become popular as a first name in recent decades. A notable example is Paul Moynagh, an Irish journalist and news presenter.
The Moynagh surname is steeped in generations of history and is still very much alive today. It is both a representation of Irish heritage and a reminder of the fruits of that heritage for Moynagh families around the world.
Order DNA origin analysisMoynagh: Where does the name Moynagh come from?
The last name Moynagh can be found all over the world today. It is particularly common in the British Isles, where many families can trace their Moynagh lineage back to the 1500s.
In Ireland, Moynagh is a surname found in counties such as Leitrim, Cavan, and Galway, and some believe it comes from a variant of the Irish name Maonaigh, meaning “descendants of little nobleman”. In England, Moynagh can be found in Devon, Cornwall, Cheshire, Gloucestershire, and Shropshire.
Moynagh is also surprisingly widespread in the United States. Within the States, genealogical records show that the Moynagh surname is concentrated primarily in the New England and Mid-Atlantic states, including Pennsylvania, New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Vermont. Other notable concentrations include Texas and California.
Today, the Moynagh surname is spread across many counties, cities, and towns, with more and more current generations adding to the survey of the worldwide Moynagh population. Wherever they live, individuals with the Moynagh surname often look back with pride at their Irish roots and long genealogical tradition.
Variations of the surname Moynagh
Moynagh is an unusual but ancient Irish surname derived from the Gaelic “Ó Maonaigh”, a patronymic meaning “descendant of Maonach”. Maonach was an old Gaelic nickname for an affluent man. It has been used in different parts of the Irish diaspora since the 17th century.
Some variants of the Moynagh surname include Moyna, Moina, Moine, Moinagh, Moenagh, Moinahan, Moanagh, Moyne, Moinay, Moynah, Moyney, Moonagh, Moinan, Moonay, and Monaghan. All of these variations derive from the common root “Maonach”.
The surname has been especially popular in the province of Connaught: Thomond (Co. Clare); Lecale (Co Down); and in North America County Clare immigrants often bore the name "Moynahan". It is also common in Cork and in various parts of Ulster and Leinster such as Co. Mayo, Co. Wexford and Co. Meath.
In the United Sates, the surname is not exceptionally common though there are Moinagh families in both New York and California. In the 2000 US census, the three Moynagh families living in the country were all found in California.
The Moynagh surname also has spellings which vary depending on the country in which it is found. In Ireland, it is often spelled "Moynagh", whereas in the United States and Canada, the spelling is mostly "Moynahan." Additionally, the patronymic prefix "O'" is often omitted in records of the Moynagh family in the United States.
Famous people with the name Moynagh
- Thomas Moynagh: Irish singer-songwriter from Moynalty, County Meath.
- Christopher Moynagh: Grammy nominated classical composer and musician currently residing in Chicago.
- William Moynagh: former freestyle swimmer from Australia who competed at the 1900 Summer Olympics in Paris.
- Dr. Rosemary Moynagh: feminist theologian, Catholic theologian, and professor at St. Michael's College in the University of Toronto.
- John Moynagh: celebrated Irish playwright of the 19th century.
- Mary Moynagh: Irish detective fiction writer and creator of the successful television series 'Lily of Killmarno'.
- John F. Moynagh: prolific playwright who penned the vastly successful play 'The Quarrel', originally staged in Belfast in 1862.
- Charles Edward Moynagh: decorated Canadian air force chief from Kingston, Ontario who served in both World Wars.
- Sean Moynagh: award-winning journalist and editor from County Mayo, Ireland.
- Gary Moynagh: current League of Ireland football manager who has previously coached at teams such as Derry City F.C. and Bohemians F.C.