Surname McDonough - Meaning and Origin
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“DNA Awakening: A Revelation of My McDonough Ancestry Through iGENEA's Genetic Testing”
Curiosity about my McDonough heritage led me to take a DNA test via iGENEA. The results were an eye-opener, revealing unsuspected Scandinavian ties and reshaping my perception of my ancestry and identity. The understanding that I was also part of a broader global narrative, not just an Irish one, was a profound revelation.
A. McDonough
read moreMcDonough: What does the surname McDonough mean?
The surname McDonough is of Irish origin and is derived from the Gaelic name "Mac Donnchadha", which translates to 'son of Donnchadh'. The personal name Donnchadh consists of two elements: "donn" meaning brown and "cath" meaning battle or warrior, suggesting a color-based or warrior-based epithet for an ancestor of the McDonough family. So, McDonough essentially means "son of the brown warrior" or "son of the brown-haired fighter". It is common across Ireland, particularly in the region of Connacht. As with many Irish surnames, there can be numerous variations in spelling such as McDonagh, MacDonagh, and even Donohue. Overall, the name reflects a common practice in Gaelic patronymic tradition where an individual's name is created based on the given name of their father or a revered ancestor.
Order DNA origin analysisMcDonough: Where does the name McDonough come from?
The last name McDonough is of Irish origin and is derived from the Gaelic "Mac Donnchadha", which means "son of Donnchadh." Donnchadh is a personal name composed of the elements "donn," meaning brown, and "cath," meaning battle. Thus, the name roughly translates to "son of the brown-haired warrior." The MacDonnchadha were a clan based in the province of Connacht, specifically in Counties Galway and Roscommon.
Today, the surname McDonough is common in several English-speaking countries due primarily to Irish diaspora. In particular, it is more prevalent in the United States, Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom, with a significant concentration still in Ireland. The original Gaelic form of the name is often retained in Ireland, while it may be anglicized in other countries. It's interesting to note that spellings have experienced variations over the years, with McDonagh, McDonnagh, MacDonagh, and others being seen. Despite these changes, the name's roots and historical significance remain inextricably linked to Irish history and culture.
Variations of the surname McDonough
The surname McDonough is Irish in origin and has numerous variations, often resulting from anglicization of the original Irish name. It is believed to be derived from Mac Donnchadha, meaning "son of Donnchadh." Donnchadh is an Irish personal name meaning "brown warrior."
Several spelling variations include: McDonagh, McDonnagh, MacDonagh, MacDonnagh, McDonoghe, McDonogha, and even Donagh.
Some other forms, largely due to variations in phonetic spelling, include: McDonohoe, McDonohue, and McDonow.
In some versions, the prefix 'Mac' or 'Mc' which denotes 'son of' is even dropped resulting in surnames such as Donough or Donoughue.
Finally, there are phonetic-based variations that have developed due to regional accents or dialects, among them are: McDonog, McDonoc, McDonock, McDonoke, McDonoughoe, McDonoughue, and McDonogh.
Remember that the use of different spelling versions can change over time and vary based on location, even within the same family. Therefore, when researching this surname in genealogical records, one must consider all possible variations.
Famous people with the name McDonough
- John McDonough: President and CEO of the Chicago Blackhawks and business executive
- Thomas McDonough: United States Navy admiral and War of 1812 hero
- Matthew McDonough: Actor and stand-up comedian
- Dave McDonough: Former Major League Baseball pitcher
- Brian McDonough: MSNBC news anchor
- Jim McDonough: Former Chief of Staff for the state of Florida under Governor Jeb Bush
- Pat McDonough: Maryland State Delegate
- Paul McDonough: Governor of Connecticut from 1995 to 2004
- Maureen McDonough: Actress known for her role on the soap opera Guiding Light
- Gary McDonough: Internet entrepreneur and Co-founder of Brandless
- Alan McDonough: English professional footballer
- John R. McDonough: Professional golfer and former Assistant Golf Professional at the Oakmont Country Club
- June McDonough: Academy Award-winning actress and comedienne
- David McDonough: Award-winning film and television composer
- Francis McDonough: Veteran in the United States Coast Guard
- Catherine McDonough: US Army Captain and Iraq War Veteran
- Michael McDonough: Screenwriter and director of films and TV shows
- Andrew McDonough: Professional ice hockey player
- Kara McDonough: Professional triathlete
- P.J. McDonough: Professional MMA fighter