Surname O'Maonghaile - Meaning and Origin
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O'Maonghaile: What does the surname O'Maonghaile mean?
The O’Maonghaile surname originated from the Irish language, and is still highly popular in Ireland and its diaspora today. Its literal meaning is ‘descendant of Maonach’, with ‘Maonach’ being derived from the ancient Irish word for ‘noble’ or ‘nobleman’. The name likely derives from an ancestor who was known for his noble or honourable character.
The O’Maonghaile name One of the earliest known mentions of the name is from records of a Monach who held and reigned over territory in the county of Sligo in the West of Ireland, dating back to 1172. Descendants of the family have populated this same area for generations.
As the name spread around Ireland the variation in spelling spread to many different forms. O’Maonaigh and Monaghan are some of the different versions that evolved over time but all are related to the same root.
In the last two centuries, there has been an exodus of O’Maonghaile people from Ireland, with many of them having made homes in things like the United States, Canada, and Australia. Today, many Irish-Americans trace their ancestry back to the O’Maonghaile family, and take pride in being able to trace their lineage to the noble name.
Order DNA origin analysisO'Maonghaile: Where does the name O'Maonghaile come from?
The last name O'Maonghaile is an old Irish surname that dates back to the Middle Ages. The name is historically associated with the Ceoltaigh clan from County Sligo in Ireland. They were a powerful family whose name was taken from the Irish word for "wardens" or "guides."
Today, the last name O'Maonghaile is still common in the regions surrounding County Sligo, especially in the towns of Drumcliffe and Rathcormack. It is also found in Counties Donegal, Leitrim, Roscommon, and Clare, all of which have families with this name. O'Maongahile is also fairly common in Scotland, where it has been passed down through generations of Scottish Highlanders living in the area.
Beyond its traditional Irish and Scottish roots, the name has spread to other countries like the U.S., Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. Now, the name O'Maonghaile is used by people of many different backgrounds and nationalities, making the name quite well-recognized and widely-used internationally.
Variations of the surname O'Maonghaile
The surname O'Maonghaile is a variant of the Gaelic name Ó Manghalaigh. Its anglicized version is both Manghal and Mangal. It is one of the oldest surnames in the county of Mayo, Ireland. The name is derived from the Irish words 'man' - meaning tongue, and 'Gall' - meaning foreigner. Historically, the surname was given to people originally of Norse or distant non-Gaelic origin, and was a way to single them out as different.
The variants of the surname O'Maonghaile include Ó Manghalaigh, Mangal, Manghal, Manighal, Mangel, Maongal, Mongal, Maingal, among other variants and spellings. The surnames found derived from this surname include MacMongale, MacMaonghaile, MacMangal, Mangels or Mangle, Manigal or Manigall, Maingold and MacManigal.
The Ó Manghalaigh is a very ancient name, with origins in the pre-Norman territories of what is now County Mayo. The family have been Caillechs (noble chiefs) of the region since at least the 12th century, and are related to the kings of Connacht through a common ancestor, Tadhg, Lord of Mayo.
It is possible Mathew O'Maughale was the first of the family to receive his surname, around the time of the Anglo-Norman invasion in 1169. The surname was used until the 19th century in Mayo, after which it started to spread around the world, especially with the Irish diaspora.
In the modern era, the surname O'Maonghaile can still be found around County Mayo, but it is mainly found in North America and the United Kingdom. Despite the differences in spelling or variation in spelling, all of the variants still refer to the same family and share a common heritage.
Famous people with the name O'Maonghaile
- O'Maonghaile Siun, a famous Irish singer, songwriter and actress.
- O Maonghaile Donie, an Irish politician who served as Lord Mayor of Dublin from 2014 to 2015.
- Caoimhe O'Maonghaile, a popular Irish television presenter.
- Caitríona O Maonghaile, an actor and director best known for her roles on the Irish soap opera Fair City.
- Donal O Maonghaile, an Professional Irish Hurler.
- Mícheál O Maonghaile, an Irish politician from Donegal, who served as a Teachta Dála in Dáil Éireann for more than two decades.
- John O Maonghaile, an Irish Gaelic footballer who has represented both his county and his country.
- Paul O'Maonghaile, an Irish artist known for his work in the graphic arts and performance art.
- Maeve O Maonghaile, an Irish vocalist and folklorist best known for her unique arrangements and interpretations of traditional Irish music.
- Aileen O Maonghaile, an Irish radio and television presenter as well as a columnist for The Irish Times.