Origin of your surname and forename !
NomOrigine

Last Name Monahan

Discover my family history now

What is the origin of the last name Monahan?

The surname Monahan is an Anglicized form of the Irish Gaelic name "O'Manacháin" or "Mac Manus." In Gaelic, the name translates to 'son of Manus,' with Manus being a pet form of Aman, which means 'prosperous.' The name Monahan is commonly found in Ireland and is most prominent in County Mayo. It's one of the many Irish names that were anglicized during the English colonization of Ireland, particularly during the 16th and 17th centuries.
Want to turn this name into a keepsake? Give a star certificate in their name.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Monahan

The meaning and origin of the last name Monahan

The surname Monahan is an anglicized form of the Irish name O'Manacháin, which means "descendant of Manus the son of the young one" in Gaelic. The given name Manus (or Manusan) was derived from the personal name Mainster or Manaster, meaning "supplanter" or "replacer." This Irish surname is primarily found among people who originate from Counties Clare and Limerick in Ireland. Over time, the spelling of the name has evolved, including variations such as Monaghan, Monahon, Monahan, and Manahan, all originating from the same Gaelic root. The name is now widespread throughout English-speaking countries due to Irish migration during the 19th and early 20th centuries.

Geographical distribution of the last name Monahan

The surname Monahan is primarily distributed in Irish-speaking regions due to its Gaelic origin, with the most significant concentration in Ireland, particularly County Cork and County Clare. It's also commonly found among Irish diaspora communities in countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Great Britain, reflecting historical emigration patterns from Ireland. In the United States, for instance, Monahan is most prevalent in states with a high Irish-American population like Massachusetts, New York, and Pennsylvania. The surname's distribution reflects both the historical presence of the Irish Gaelic language and the impact of migration on global family names.

Variants and spellings of the last name Monahan

The surname Monahan has several variations and spellings due to differences in transcribing and translating names over time and across different regions. Some common variations include Manahan, Monaghan, Moneagan, Monachan, Monahon, Monihan, Monighan, Monnigan, and Manegan. These variations may stem from regional dialects, misspellings, or changes in name pronunciation over time. The origin of the name is believed to be Irish, coming from the Gaelic O'Manachain, which means "descendant of Manus, the son." This name was predominantly found in County Mayo, Ireland.

Famous people with the last name Monahan

Notable individuals with the surname Monahan include:

1. Patrick Monahan, an Irish stand-up comedian and actor who was born in Navan, County Meath, Ireland, and raised in Blackpool, England. He is known for his comedic performances in venues such as The Comedy Store and the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

2. Connie Britton, whose birth name is Cynthia Danielle Britton Monahan, is an American actress best recognized for her roles in television series like "Friday Night Lights," "Nashville," and "American Horror Story."

3. John Monahan, a psychologist who co-developed the "Functional Analysis of Verbal Behavior" (FAVB) method for assessing language skills in individuals with autism.

4. Tom Monahan, an American professional baseball executive who served as the president and chief operating officer of Major League Baseball from 2014 to 2018. He previously worked in various roles within the San Francisco Giants organization.

5. Peter J. Monahan, a renowned American geologist and paleontologist who specializes in the study of vertebrate fossils. He has contributed significantly to the understanding of Cretaceous period vertebrates, particularly dinosaurs.

Genealogical research on the last name Monahan

The Monahan surname is of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic "O Muignan," meaning 'descendant of Muighean.' The name was anglicized as Monaghan, Munghann, and eventually Monahan during the Norman invasion in the 12th century. Notable figures with this surname include Thomas F. Monahan, a prominent American politician who served as Secretary of Labor; and actress Maureen O'Sullivan Monahan, known for her role as Jane in the Tarzan films. The Monahan family is particularly common in Ireland, especially in counties Cork, Tipperary, and Mayo, where it is believed to have originated. DNA studies suggest a high concentration of the Y-chromosome haplogroup I2a among the Monahans, pointing to a shared ancestry in western Europe.

Last name distribution maps

Chargement de la carte...

NomOrigine Team
About the author :

NomOrigine Team

Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.

Last updated :

Share the origin of your last name with your friends

Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Pinterest WhatsApp Messenger Telegram

Search the origin of a family name

Enter the surname you are looking for below:

Similar Last Names

#1 Mon Âme

Last name • surnames > mon-me

The last name "Mon Ame" is of French origin and literally translates to "my soul" in English. It is likely derived from a personal or familial characteristic or sentiment.

#2 Mon mt

Last name • surnames > mon-mt

The last name "Mon Mt" likely originates from a Chinese or Vietnamese origin. It may be a variant spelling or anglicized version of a common surname in those cultures.

#3 Mon obasi

Last name • surnames > mon-obasi

The last name "Mon Obasi" is of African origin. Specifically, it is a surname from the Igbo tribe in Nigeria.

#4 Mon pakhi

Last name • surnames > mon-pakhi

The surname "Mon Pakhi" is of Bengali origin. It is derived from the Bengali words "mon" meaning mind and "pakhi" meaning bird. It may have originated as a nickname for someone who...

#5 Mon reve

Last name • surnames > mon-reve

The last name "Mon Reve" is of French origin. It translates to "my dream" in English. It likely originated as a surname derived from a personal characteristic or aspiration.

#6 Mon saji

Last name • surnames > mon-saji

The surname "mon saji" is of Indian origin. It is believed to be derived from the Sanskrit word "मोन" (mon) meaning "mind" or "heart," and "साजी" (saji) meaning "ador...

#7 Mon ta

Last name • surnames > mon-ta

The surname "Mon Ta" is of Burmese origin. It is a combination of the Burmese words "mon," meaning "civilized" or "refined," and "ta," meaning "great" or "royal."

#8 Mon tirur

Last name • surnames > mon-tirur

The last name "Mon Tirur" appears to have Indian origins. It is likely derived from a place name or may indicate the individual's association with a specific region or community in...

#9 Mon ummachan

Last name • surnames > mon-ummachan

The surname "Mon Ummachan" appears to be of Indian origin, specifically from the state of Kerala. It likely derives from a combination of the Malayalam words "Mon" meaning "son" an...

#10 Mon yang

Last name • surnames > mon-yang

The last name "Mon Yang" is of Hmong origin. The Hmong people are an ethnic group from Southeast Asia, primarily from the mountainous regions of China, Vietnam, Laos, and Thailand.

#11 Mona ahli

Last name • surnames > mona-ahli

The last name "Mona Ahli" is of Arabic origin. "Mona" means "wishes, desires" in Arabic, and "Ahli" means "of the family" or "belonging to." Therefore, the last name "Mona Ahli" co...

#12 Mona claire

Last name • surnames > mona-claire

The surname Mona Claire is of French origin. It is derived from the Old French word "clere," meaning "bright" or "clear."

#13 Mona mena

Last name • surnames > mona-mena

The last name "Mona Mena" is of Spanish origin. It is a combination of two separate surnames, "Mona" and "Mena." "Mona" is likely derived from Spanish or Italian origins, possibly ...

#14 Mona sabbir

Last name • surnames > mona-sabbir

The last name "Mona Sabbir" appears to potentially have Arabic origins. "Mona" is a common name in Arabic-speaking countries, while "Sabbir" could be derived from the Arabic word "...

#15 Mona salah

Last name • surnames > mona-salah

The last name "Mona Salah" is of Arabic origin. Mona is a given name of Arabic origin meaning "wishing for, desire" and Salah is a common Arabic surname meaning "righteousness" or ...