In its ancient Gaelic form, the Irish name McMahon was written Mac Mathghamhna, which later became Mac Mathuna. Both names are derived from the word 'mathghamhan,' which means 'bear.'

1. Marion (Duncan) Smith: Family Tree DNA Family Finder, GEDmatch T843160, FTDNA kit #792530 Have you taken a DNA test for genealogy? If so, login to add it. If not, see our friends at MyHeritage DNA. Login to edit this profile. Private Messages: Send a private message to the Profile Manager. (Best when privacy is an issue.).
2. The McMahon Clan of Ireland is seeking to join together the descendants of the Irish McMahon’s who have spread to every corner of every continent. Falling under the umbrella of the Irish Clans Network, this page offers a platform for all McMahon’s to rediscover their Irish heritage.
3. We intend this to provide a family history research facility for members of Clan MacLennan associations. To join a MacLennan Clan association in your region, click here to join. MacLennan family-sharing already contains over 40,000 individuals and many citations for births, marriages and/or deaths.

Early Origins of the McMahon family

This Sir Bryan was the first of the family who, in the reign of Queen Elizabeth, settled in Connaught. James: his son; acquired by purchase the estate of Lisduff, in the county Galway. 125 Bryan: his son; married Magdalin, daughter of Poer (or Power) of Loughrea; died in 1695. Early History of the McLean family. This web page shows only a small excerpt of our McLean research. Another 139 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1411, 1500, 1745, 1560, 1630, 1582, 1658, 1604, 1666, 1620, 1651, 1649, 1651, 1645, 1674, 1651, 1674, 1650, 1687, 1670, 1716, 1674, 1716, 1745 and are included under the topic Early McLean History in all our PDF Extended History products.

The surname McMahon was first found in County Clare (Irish: An Clár) located on the west coast of Ireland in the province of Munster, where the MacMahons were lords of Corca Baisgin; and possessed the greater part of the baronies of Moyarta and Clonderlaw. ^{Irish Families Their Names, Arms and Origins 4th Edition. Dublin: Irish Academic, 1982. Print. (ISBN 0-7165-2364-7)'>[1]}

'The Munster MacMahons formerly possessed the greater part of the Baronies of Moyarta and Clonderalaw, in the County Clare, in which county the predominant name now is McMahon.' ^{Special Report on Surnames in Ireland with Notes as to Numeric Strength, Derivation, Ethnology, and Distribution. Dublin: Alexander Thom & Co., 1894. Print'>[2]}

Early History of the McMahon family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our McMahon research. Another 110 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1119, 1715, 1780, 1519, 1606, 1644, 1600, 1650, 1643, 1650, 1660, 1737, 1707, 1715, 1715, 1737, 1680, 1747, 1727, 1737, 1737 and 1747 are included under the topic Early McMahon History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

McMahon Spelling Variations

Many variations of the name McMahon were found in archives from the Middle Ages. Names during the Middle Ages were typically recorded as they sounded and in many cases, one's surname spelling changed with each record.The spelling and language in which the people's names were recorded was often up to the individual scribe. Variations of the name McMahon found include MacMahon, MacMann, MacMahan, MacMohan and others.

Early Notables of the McMahon family (pre 1700)

Notable amongst the family name at this time was Séamus mac Pilib Mac Mathghamhna (died 1519), was Bishop of Derry. Hugh Oge MacMahon (1606-1644), was an Irish conspirator, was probably of Sir Brian MacHugh Oge MacMahon, Lord of the Dartree in the county of Monaghan. Herber MacMahon (1600-1650), Bishop of Clogher in 1643, a Catholic leader, commanded the Ulster...
Another 59 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early McMahon Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

McMahon migration +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

McMahon Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

• Morgan McMahon, who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1746 ^{Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)'>[3]}

McMahon Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

• Alex McMahon, who landed in America in 1805 ^{Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)'>[3]}
• Grizzy McMahon, who landed in America in 1805 ^{Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)'>[3]}
• Martin McMahon, who arrived in New York, NY in 1817 ^{Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)'>[3]}
• Philip McMahon, who arrived in Washington County, Pennsylvania in 1821 ^{Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)'>[3]}
• Thomas McMahon, who landed in Charleston, South Carolina in 1822 ^{Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)'>[3]}
• ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

McMahon migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

McMahon Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

• Felix McMahon, who landed in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1752

McMahon Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

• Francis McMahon, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1817
• James McMahon, aged 20, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship 'Edward Reid' in 1833
• Margaret McMahon, aged 29, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship 'Protector' in 1834
• John McMahon, aged 16, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1834 aboard the brig 'Breeze' from Dublin, Ireland
• Kitty McMahon, aged 30, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1834 aboard the brig 'Betsy Heron' from Belfast, Ireland
• ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

McMahon migration to Australia+

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

McMahon Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

• Matthew McMahon, Canadian convict from Montreal, who was transported aboard the 'Ann' on August 1809, settling in New South Wales, Australia^{Ann voyage to New South Wales, Australia in 1809 with 200 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/ann/1809'>[4]}
• Patrick McMahon, English convict from Middlesex, who was transported aboard the 'Ann' on August 1809, settling in New South Wales, Australia^{Ann voyage to New South Wales, Australia in 1809 with 200 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/ann/1809'>[4]}
• Mr. Bryan McMahon, Canadian covict who was convicted in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada for life, transported aboard the 'Atlas' on 16th January 1816, arriving in New South Wales, Australia^{Australia (Retrieved 14th July 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/atlas'>[5]}
• Mr. John McMahon, English convict who was convicted in Westminster, London, England for 7 years, transported aboard the 'Baring' in December 1818, arriving in New South Wales, Australia^{Australia (Retrieved 16th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/baring'>[6]}
• Miss Anne Mcmahon, (b. 1801), aged 25, Irish country servant who was convicted in Ireland for 7 years, transported aboard the 'Brothers' on 3rd October 1826, arriving in New South Wales, Australia^{Australia (Retrieved 3rd November 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/brothers'>[7]}
• ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

McMahon migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

McMahon Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

• Bernard McMahon, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship 'Whitby' in 1841
• Margaret McMahon, aged 24, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship 'Lloyds' in 1842
• James McMahon, aged 1, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship 'Lloyds' in 1842
• Dr. Mcmahon, British settler, as the 2nd Detachment of New Zealand Corps of Royal New Zealand Fencibles travelling from Gravesend aboard the ship 'Minerva' arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 8th October 1847 ^[8]
• Miss Mary McMahon, Scottish settler from Edinburgh travelling from Glasgow aboard the ship 'Strathfieldsaye' arriving in Port Chalmers, Dunedin, Otago, South Island, New Zealand on 29th April 1858 ^[9]
• ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name McMahon (post 1700) +

• Garry McMahon (1937-2008), Irish Gaelic footballer for Kerry (1958-1962)
• Linda Marie McMahon (b. 1948), née Edwards, American professional wrestling magnate and politician, 25th Administrator of the Small Business Administration (2017-)
• Jenna McMahon (1933-2015), born Mary Virginia Skinner, American Emmy Award winning writer, producer, actress and comedian, known for her work on The Carol Burnett Show (1967), The Facts of Life (1979) and Mama's Family (1983)
• Graeme McMahon (1940-2014), Australian AFL football player and executive, Chairman of Essendon (1996-2003)
• Major-General William Claude McMahon (1895-1990), American Deputy Chief of Staff, 6th Army (1947-1949) ^{William McMahon. Retrieved from http://generals.dk/general/McMahon/William_Claude/USA.html'>[10]}
• Brigadier-General Leo Thomas McMahon (1893-1987), American Commanding General Artillery XXIII Corps (1945) ^{Leo McMahon. Retrieved from http://generals.dk/general/McMahon/Leo_Thomas/USA.html'>[11]}
• Brigadier-General John Eugene Jr. McMahon (1890-1971), American Commanding Officer Artillery, 77th Division (1942-1943) ^{John McMahon. Retrieved from http://generals.dk/general/McMahon/John_Eugene_Jr./USA.html'>[12]}
• Michael McMahon (b. 1957), United States Congressman from the 13th district of New York State
• Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Henry McMahon GCMG, GCVO, KCIE, CSI (1862-1949), British soldier and High Commissioner in Egypt
• Don McMahon (1930-1987), American Major League Baseball pitcher
• ... (Another 5 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the McMahon family +

Empress of Ireland

• Mr. Peter McMahon, British Fireman from United Kingdom who worked aboard the Empress of Ireland and died in the sinking ^{Empress of Ireland 2014. (Retrieved 2014, June 17) . Retrieved from http://www.empress2014.ca/seclangen/listepsc1.html'>[13]}

RMS Lusitania

• Mr. Patrick Mcmahon, Irish Fireman from Monaghan, Ireland, who worked aboard the RMS Lusitania and died in the sinking ^[14]
• Mr. Patrick Mcmahon, Irish Fireman from Monaghan, Ireland, who worked aboard the RMS Lusitania and survived the sinking ^[14]

RMS Titanic

• Mr. Martin McMahon (d. 1912), aged 20, Irish Third Class passenger from Craghbrien, Clare who sailed aboard the RMS Titanic and died in the sinking ^[15]

Related Stories +

The McMahon Motto +

Citations +

1. ^ MacLysaght, Edward, Irish Families Their Names, Arms and Origins 4th Edition. Dublin: Irish Academic, 1982. Print. (ISBN 0-7165-2364-7)
2. ^ Matheson, Robert E., Special Report on Surnames in Ireland with Notes as to Numeric Strength, Derivation, Ethnology, and Distribution. Dublin: Alexander Thom & Co., 1894. Print
3. ^ Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
4. ^ State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Ann voyage to New South Wales, Australia in 1809 with 200 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/ann/1809
5. ^ Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 14th July 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/atlas
6. ^ Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 16th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/baring
7. ^ Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 3rd November 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/brothers
8. ^ New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
9. ^ New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 26th March 2019). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
10. ^ Generals of World War II. (Retrieved 2013, May 9) William McMahon. Retrieved from http://generals.dk/general/McMahon/William_Claude/USA.html
11. ^ Generals of World War II. (Retrieved 2013, May 9) Leo McMahon. Retrieved from http://generals.dk/general/McMahon/Leo_Thomas/USA.html
12. ^ Generals of World War II. (Retrieved 2013, May 9) John McMahon. Retrieved from http://generals.dk/general/McMahon/John_Eugene_Jr./USA.html
13. ^ Commemoration Empress of Ireland 2014. (Retrieved 2014, June 17) . Retrieved from http://www.empress2014.ca/seclangen/listepsc1.html
14. ^ Lusitania Passenger List - The Lusitania Resource. (Retrieved 2014, March 7) . Retrieved from http://www.rmslusitania.info/lusitania-passenger-list/
15. ^ Titanic Passenger List - Titanic Facts. (Retrieved 2016, July 13) . Retrieved from http://www.titanicfacts.net/titanic-passenger-list.html

History of the McMahon clan that began in Australia with the migration in 1864 of James McMahon from Redhills C. Cavan Ireland and Phoebe Armstrong from Milltown Kings County Ireland

Crest of the McMahons of Monaghan [from 'McMahons of Trohanny' by Patrick and Eugene McMahon]

Welcome to the McMahon Family History website.

The site was created by John McMahon using Family Historian Ver. 7.0

Descendants Of Fossors

It is based on a Family Historian V7 database and is the result of15 years work. On the McMahon side, most of the research is original. On the McDonell side, I have relied on the work of others, particularly Ian McDonell. I acknowledge his work and thank him for it. There are many others who have helped and should be thanked but there are too many to list here. So thank you all.

I have not included any of My wife, Lyn's ancestors. Lyn plans to do her own website.

I have gone to much effort to avoid showing details of living people. Anyone born after 1950 has only basic information. If I have missed one or two, I hope no-one is offended.

Having unearthed so little data about our McMahon Irish history, I thought I’d see if a DNA test might add some light. I had my DNA analysed by FTDNA, a US company, and it has turned up some interesting results. Firstly, we are definitely Monaghan McMahons. Secondly, I have met some cousins on-line mostly from the US. Thirdly, we are closely related to a small group of Monaghan McMahons who have rare DNA characteristics and who appear to be descended from 3 brothers known as the Three Collas who lived in the 4th century AD. Sounds farfetched? Have a look at the website http://www.peterspioneers.com/colla.htm

Choosing a structure for this website has been challenging. What I have settled on for the time being is to show an Ancestor Fan Chart. Then a Family Group Report with all descendants and Family Tree of 5 generations for each pair of my great, great grandparents. I imagined people starting with the current generation, working backwards using the Ancestor Fan Chart, then coming forward using the Family Group Reports and/or Family Trees. Of course, if you want to read about any indiviual you can access anyone on the database through the index.

* This model of Family Group Report and Family Tree applies to all 8 Great Great Grandparent lines except there is no charts for Durham because I have so little detail on that branch of the family.

** I have recently added a link to my family tree on My Heritage. This is an abbreviated tree with only about 200 of the 2700 in my database. If it works, I will grow this tree.

I am very open to suggestions about improving the structure, or anything else about this website. Please contact me using the email address on the contact page.

Further Reading

The McMahons of Monaghan Website http://www.mcmahonsofmonaghan.org/

The Monaghan Story by Rev. Peadar Livingstone

The History of County Monaghan by Evelyn Shirley

Descendants Of The

The History of Monaghan for 200 Years by Denis Carolan Rushe

Contents