Surname McGonigle - Meaning and Origin

McGonigle: What does the surname McGonigle mean?

The surname McGonigle is of Irish origin and derives from the Gaelic name "Mag Congail," which means "son of Congal." The name Congal itself comes from two Gaelic elements: "con" meaning hound and "gal" meaning valour. Therefore, the surname McGonigle essentially signifies 'son of a brave or valiant hound', symbolizing a fearless and courageous individual in the ancient warrior society. This surname is most popular in County Donegal, Ireland. Like many Irish surnames, it has several spelling variations including McGonagle, Magonagle, and McConigle. A number of people named McGonigle have made significant contributions in various fields such as arts, sports, and sciences; these include Joe McGonigle, a Democratic member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, among others.

McGonigle: Where does the name McGonigle come from?

The last name McGonigle originates from the Gaelic "Mag Congail", which means "son of Congal". Congal refers to a popular personal name during the Middle Ages, meaning "valour" or "courage". This surname is a sept, or subdivision, of a larger influential family group, the Northern Ui Neill clan, indicating a regional identity more than a particular family lineage.

The McGonigle family history traces back to the county of Donegal in Ireland. The most significant concentrations of people with the surname in Ireland are still found in Donegal, as well as Derry. Additionally, due to emigration over centuries, the surname McGonigle spread to other countries as well. Especially during the 19th century, many Irish families migrated to the United States, Australia, Canada, and England due to the Great Famine.

Today, individuals with the surname McGonigle can be found worldwide, but the highest concentrations are still present in Ireland and in countries where the Irish diaspora is substantial, particularly the USA.

Variations of the surname McGonigle

The surname McGonigle is of Irish origin and has various spellings and variants. These include McGonagle, McGonigal, McGonagle, McGinigle, Mcgonnel, Gonigle, and MacGonigal. Some of these forms have evolved due to regional accents and pronunciation over time.

The name is derived from the Gaelic 'Mag Congail', meaning "son of Congal". The given name Congal itself is composed of the elements 'con', meaning 'hound', and 'gal', meaning 'valor', hence, "hound of valor." Mac in Gaelic means 'son of', so MacGonigal, McGonigal, McGonagle, etc., translate to "son of the hound of valor."

It is worth noting that the spelling of surnames greatly evolved over time. Illiteracy and language translation often contributed to the change in spellings. Therefore, it isn't uncommon to find many variants of the same original surname.

Different spellings often correspond to specific regions in Ireland. For example, the spelling "McGonigle" is most commonly found in County Donegal, while "McGonagle" and "McGonigal" are more common in other parts of the country and overseas where Irish emigrants have settled.

Famous people with the name McGonigle

• Andy McGonigle: Football Player.
• Arthur McGonigle: Professional Football Player.
• Brian McGonigle: Television Actor.
• Chris McGonigle: Musician and Composer.
• Corey McGonigle: Professional Racing Driver.
• Danny McGonigle: Professional Tennis Player.
• Dean McGonigle: Mayor of Scranton, Pennsylvania.
• Gary McGonigle: Professional Basketball Player.
• Henry McGonigle: Political Activist.
• James McGonigle: Professional Golfer.
• John McGonigle: Singer-Songwriter and Producer.
• Kevin McGonigle: Professional Wrestler.
• Mary McGonigle: Canadian Politician.
• Michael McGonigle: Voice Actor and Children's Book Author.
• Peter McGonigle: Actor and Voiceover Artist.
• Tim McGonigle: Professional Baseball Player.
• Tyler McGonigle: Elite Motorcycle Racer.
• Declan McGonigle: Actor and Musician.
• Matthew McGonigle: American History Scholar and Adjunct Lecturer.
• Seamus McGonigle: Musician and Composer.

Other surnames

McGonigal