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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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