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McDonough

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McDonough is an Irish surname.

McDonough
Language(s)Irish
Origin
MeaningBrown Warrior
Region of originIreland
Other names
Variant form(s)MacDonough, McDonnough, MacDonogh, McDonogh, MacDonagh, McDonagh, McDonaugh, McDonnaugh, Mcdonnaeug

Origins and variants

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The surname is an Anglicized form of the Gaelic name "Mac Donnchadha", which means son of Donnchadh or son of Donough. The name itself consists of elements meaning "brown (donn)" or Donn “the dark one”, plus "battle (chatha)".

Various unrelated clans carrying this surname existed in Ireland, at least two in Connacht: these MacDonnchadhas were a branch of the MacDermots, the kings of Moylurg. Another McDonough clan were cadets of the O'Flaherty chiefs in Iar Connacht.

The second clan in Munster, whose chiefs held the Castle of Kanturk in County Cork, and who were known as the bards of Duhallow, were a branch of the MacCarthys going by McDonough. The name is now rare in Cork, with some of the original name holders, it is believed, changing their name to MacCarthy, although some with the original name still remain in Munster.[3][4]

One explanation for the many spelling variations is that scribes and church officials frequently spelled the name as it sounded: an imprecise method at best. Understandably then, various spellings of the surname McDonough were found in the many archives researched including MacDonough, McDonogh, and many more.

Notable people with the surname

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Given name

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Fictional characters

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References

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  1. ^ "McDonough Name Meaning, Family History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms".
  2. ^ "McDonough Coat of Arms, Family Crest - Free Image to View - McDonough Name Origin History and Meaning of Symbols".
  3. ^ "McDonough Name Meaning, Family History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms".
  4. ^ "Surname Database: McDonough Last Name Origin".