Surname O'Maolconaire - Meaning and Origin
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O'Maolconaire: What does the surname O'Maolconaire mean?
The last name O'Maolconaire is an Irish clan name originating from the old Gaelic word “Maelcon” or “Maolcon.” Gaelic is a Celtic language that has been spoken in Ireland for centuries.
This name is thought to have been a nickname for a famous chieftain or warlord. Maelcon was the name of a famous King of Connacht, deceased in 638AD. This was a powerful family that ruled over the province of Connacht during the lineage of the Uí Néill dynasty.
The name O'Maolconaire is derived from the Gaelic form "MacMhaolchonair,” which translates to “son of a devotee of Saint Conaire.” It is common practice in Ireland for people to take on the surname of their ancestor’s patron saint or affinity to a local saint. This likely means that the original bearer of the O’Maolconaire name was a follower of St Conaire and chose the name in honour of him.
The O’Maolconaires were among the leading families of the province of Connacht and were immensely powerful during medieval times. Their ancient seat was located in the territory of Tir Fiachrach, which overlapped with the modern Mayo and Sligo counties.
Today, the O’Maolconaire name is recognised throughout Ireland. The name is still used and proudly carried by families of Irish descent both in Ireland and abroad.
Order DNA origin analysisO'Maolconaire: Where does the name O'Maolconaire come from?
The last name O'Maolconaire is most commonly found today in Ireland, particularly in the Connacht and Ulster provinces. It is an old and rare surname, thus information about its origin and early history is limited.
The surname is an Anglicization of the original Gaelic form, "Ó Maoilchonaire". It may have derived from the old Gaelic name Maoilchonaire, which translates roughly to "descendant of Maolchonar". Maolchonar is a diminutive of the ancient Gaelic name Collchonn, which was derived from the old Irish word colach, meaning "hedgehog.
The O'Maolconaire clan of County Galway branched into at least three separate lineages; the O'Maolconaire clan of County Leitrim, the O'Maolconaire clan of County Mayo, and the O'Maolconaire clan of County Monaghan.
The name is sometimes spelled with a "Mac" as the prefix rather than "O". The modern spelling, however, is predominantly "O'Maolconaire." There are still many people with this surname living in Ireland, primarily in the provinces of Connacht and Ulster.
In addition, due to the waves of Irish people leaving the Emerald Isle during the great Irish emigration of the 19th and early 20th centuries, there are now people with a variety of spellings of this name living all over the world, including the United States, Canada, and Australia.
Variations of the surname O'Maolconaire
The surname O'Maolconaire is an Irish surname derived from the ancient Gaelic language of Ireland. The original spelling is Ó Maolchonáire, pronounced "Oh mol-KHON-aw-reh". and translates to mean "servant/follower of a holy figure". It is most commonly seen today as O'Maolconaire or O'Maolconry, but other variations include O'Molconry, Molconry, Molconaire, Molconry, O'Mallonry, Mallonry, Mallonaire, and O'Mallonaire. The name is most closely associated with County Galway.
The O'Maolconaire/O'Maolconry/Molconry family is the direct descendent of Maolconaire, great-grandson of the King Niall and seventh generation of the O’Donnell dynasty of Tirconnel (modern day Donegal). Despite being a minor branch of the O'Donnell dynasty, the O'Maolconaire clan was known for its powerful and influential presence in medieval Ireland, particularly in County Galway where they held positions of authority and ruled over the hereditary territories of Rossinver and Kilconnel.
The name is rarely seen outside of Ireland, however due to the Irish diaspora that has occurred over recent centuries, there are likely to be some bearers of the surname in other countries. There may also be variations in spelling adopted by the families that migrated elsewhere.
Famous people with the name O'Maolconaire
- Niall O Maolconaire: He is a poet, linguist and Irish traditional musician. He is the founder of the Society for Irish Artists, Language and Culture and the author of the book Gaelic Inspirations.
- Eamon O Maolconaire: He is an Irish journalist, presenter and news anchor for Irish television station TG4. He has also written for various newspapers in Ireland and the United States.
- Diarmuid O Maolconaire: He is an actress who has appeared in several films including the Irish film Grabbers. He also appears in theater performances with the Company of Idiots.
- Aindrias O Maolconaire: He is an Irish actor and voice artist. He has appeared on stage in several Irish plays and was most recently seen in the Irish romantic comedy Kiss & Cry.
- Gearoid O Maolconaire: He is an Irish musician who specializes in traditional instruments. He has released several albums, some with partnered bands, as well as solo albums.
- Fergal O Maolconaire: He is a professional wildlife photographer who has been photographing wildlife and landscapes since the early 1980s. His work has been featured in several magazines and books.
- Seamus O Maolconaire: He is an Irish politician and former Member of Parliament. He was the leader of the Irish Labour Party from 1997-2002 and served as a TD in the Dáil Éireann from 1992-2002.
- Sean O Maolconaire: He is an Irish actor, best known for his role in the movie The Snapper. He has also had successful stage roles in Irish plays and radio and television roles.