Monaghan (surname)
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| Pronunciation | /ˈmɒnəhən/ MON-ə-hən |
|---|---|
| Origin | |
| Word/name | Monaghan, Ireland |
| Meaning | "a Monk" |
| Other names | |
| Variant forms | Monahan, Monagas Monagan |
The surname Monaghan (/ˈmɒnəhən/ MON-ə-hən) is a family name originating from the province of Connacht in Ireland. Mostly a last name.
The surname Monaghan is an anglicization of the Irish surname O'Manacháin. The Irish translation for this name is 'descendant of Manachán', which ultimately translates to "Monk". Other variations include Monahan and Monachan.
Essentially, sometime before the 16th century, the Connacht family derived the name Monahan from the infamous warrior Manachán mentioned by the Four Masters at the year 866. The O'Manacháin clan were chiefs of Ui Briuin na Sionna in the barony of Ballintober, Co. Roscommon, until the year 1249 when they were ousted by the O'Beirnes.
Although they share the same spelling, the surname Monaghan is not related to County Monaghan, Ireland, whose name is derived from the Irish Muineachán. Muineachán (Muinechán) means "a place abounding in little hills" or "little shrubbery" from muine, a shrubbery, with the diminutive affix achán.
The surname is however the source for County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland, which means "Place of the Men of Manachán."
