Surname McCahon - Meaning and Origin

McCahon: What does the surname McCahon mean?

The last name McCahon is an anglicization of the Irish surname Mac Mathghamhna, which translates to “son of the bear”. The family name is derived from the Gaelic “Mathghamhain”, meaning “bear”. The original Gaelic name was borne by the chieftains of Clan Mathghamhna in county Donegal in Northern Ireland.

The Mac Mathghamhna clan was part of the powerful O’Donnell Dynasty which ruled in Tír Chonaill, or Tyrconnell, a kingdom in medieval times in what is now County Donegal. TheMathghamhna clan was renowned for its warriors, who were loyal to the O’Donnell chiefs and fiercely proud of their ancestral lands. The clan is believed to trace its origins to the ancient King Niall of the Nine Hostages who reputedly reigned in the 4th century.

The Mac Mathghamhna name became McCahon after the family emigrated to the United States in the late 19th century in search of a better life. They had originally come to Northern Ireland in the 16th century as Scottish settlers, and their name is a testament to their continuing strong links with their Gaelic heritage.

Today, many McCahons still live in the United States, Ireland, Scotland, and Canada. Despite being a relatively small family, they have produced many notable accomplished individuals, such as the late Bingham McCahon, an acclaimed American poet, and well-known Irish sports commentator, Joe McCahon.

The McCahon name is a proud symbol of a rich Irish and Scottish ancestry, embodying loyalty, honor and strength.

McCahon: Where does the name McCahon come from?

The last name McCahon is a variant of the Irish surname McCaughan and is relatively common in the United States today. It has been found that individuals bearing the surname primarily reside in the states of Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Texas.

The McCahon family is believed to be of Scottish descent and is believed to be the oldest surviving Irish surname in the world. The family originated in Ireland's County Monaghan and has since migrated across the world, settling in the U.S., Australia, and New Zealand. The histories of the various branches of the family have diverged in the intervening years, however, the surname remains in use all over the world.

The surname bears a certain distinction in many parts of the U.S. where it is seen as something of a symbol of the Irish people's resilience. There are many public figures, prominent business people, and successful entertainers who carry the McCahon name. Further, a number of educational institutions, streets, and other landmarks have been named in honor of McCahon family members living in the U.S.

As a result, the McCahon name is known by many in the U.S. today and has become firmly engrained in the country's social fabric. One can find individuals carrying the surname in many remote areas of the U.S., evidence of its wide-reaching legacy.

Variations of the surname McCahon

The surname McCahon has quite a few variants and spellings, as well as a few surnames related to the same origin.

The surnames MacMahon, MacMahan, and MacHugh are derived from the same origin. MacMahon and MacMahan derive their name from the Gaelic word MacMathghamhna, which means ‘son of the bear’, referring to a fierce or brave individual. The name MacHugh, although related to MacMahon, calls to mind the saint of the same name, who was known for his hospitality and generosity.

Variations within the surname McCahon include McAnnahan, MacCawn, MacCane, MacChane, McCahoon, McCaughan, McCahan, McCauhan, MacCohon, McCohan, McKayhan, MacComey, McComish, and McGauna. It is also common to find McCahon spelled without the ‘m’, as if it were simply Cahon.

Surnames closely related to McCahon, but of different origin, include MacCachan, MacChronachan, and MacChruiter. These names, as well as the many variants and spelling variations of McCahon, are common throughout Ireland, Great Britain, Canada, and the United States.

Famous people with the name McCahon

• Colin McCahon: Colin McCahon was a renowned New Zealand artist active in the mid-20th century. His work often focused on his homeland's distinctive landscape combined with his individual interpretations of the bible. He is best known for his watercolour and oil paintings of New Zealand landscapes, which were treated in a semi-abstract style. His works are held in the collections of major galleries in New Zealand and abroad, including the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa.
• Freddie McCahon: Freddie McCahon was a professional rugby union player from New Zealand. He competed between 1946 and 1958 and was part of the All Blacks team that won the Bledisloe Cup in 1950 and 1951. Following his career as a player, McCahon went on to coach the months, leading the New Zealand and Australian National teams from 1977 to 1984.
• Catherine McCahon: Catherine McCahon is a New Zealand contemporary artist. She is best known for her installation art and dying techniques on wool fabric. Her works are often a whimsical mix of clay, fabric, hemp and jute rope, creating layered art that captures the spirit of the places and stories she finds inspiration from. Her works have been exhibited in galleries and museums across New Zealand, as well as internationally.
• Tim McCahon: Tim McCahon is a New Zealand television personality, radio host, and columnist. He is a regular contributor to New Zealand's longest running breakfast TV show, Seven Sharp and is a presenter on Radio New Zealand. He has also written for various publications, including the Sunday Star-Times and NZ Herald.
• Robert McCahon: Robert McCahon is a New Zealand jurist. He is currently the president of the Court of Appeal and was previously the Chief Judge of New Zealand from 1998 to 2009. He has served as a judge and Justice since 1981 in both the High Court and Court of Appeals. During his career, he has presided over numerous high-profile cases involving offenders, such as the Teina Pora case.

Other surnames

McCahan