Surname MacCahern - Meaning and Origin
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MacCahern: What does the surname MacCahern mean?
The last name MacCahern is an anglicized form of the Gaelic Mac Catharnach, which means "son or descendant of Catharnach". Catharnach is a personal name derived from the Gaelic word cathair, which means "battle".
MacCahern was an Irish surname found mainly in County Donegal in the north-west of Ireland. The name was also known in some parts of Scotland, particularly the Western Isles. It is said that the MacCahern sept came from the Macneil clan in Scotland and then settled in Ireland.
MacCahern is a patronymic name, meaning that the surname refers to the father or ancestor of the original bearer. It is regocnised as a variant spelling of MacCahir, Macchir, and Machir. In its native form, it is now found mainly in Ireland, Scotland, and the United States.
MacCahern is a surname of proud Irish and Scottml origins, and is a reminder of the connection between those two countries. It suggests a history of strength, bravery, and loyalty, which is still deeply valued in both cultures.
Order DNA origin analysisMacCahern: Where does the name MacCahern come from?
The last name MacCahern is most commonly found today in Scotland and Ireland, though it can also be found in other countries of the British Isles. According to World Names Public Profiler, the highest concentrations of individuals with the last name MacCahern are currently located in Scotland, Ireland, Northern Ireland, England, and the United States.
In Scotland, the name is most prominently found in Perth and Kinross, as well as Midlothian and Fife. In Ireland, most individuals with the name MacCahern can be found in Sligo, Roscommon, Longford, Westmeath, Meath, and Dublin.
The name MacCahern has also spread throughout the rest of the world, being particularly prominent in England, Northern Ireland, Wales, and, likely due to emigration, the United States. Other countries with significant populations of individuals surnamed MacCahern include Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa.
As such, it is clear that the last name MacCahern is most concentrated in the countries that formerly formed the United Kingdom, though can also be found in countries around the world due to the frequent movement of people from country to country over the last few centuries.
Variations of the surname MacCahern
MacCahern is a common Scottish and Irish surname. It is a variant of the Irish-Gaelic name MacDiarmada and the Scottish-Gaelic name MacCairein which is occasionally found as an Anglicized version of MacAhern. Other spellings and surnames of this same origin are;
McCahern, McAhern, MacKearnen, MacKernin, MacPharron, MacCarrin, MacGarran, McKerren, McKarrren, MaCarin, MaKernon, MakFuran and MacKernan.
McAhern is typically used as the majority spelling of the surname in Scotland and MacCahern in Ireland, although both forms eventually derived from the Gaelic languages.
MacCahern is not the only variant of the surname, as there are a number of other Gaelic surnames which can trace their origin to Irish clans. These other surnames are MacDermot, O’Carroll, O’Connor, MacNamara and MacCarthy.
The origin of the Gaelic name MacCahern is derived from the Gaelic words "mac," which means "son," and "cathair," which means "fortress, castle or fortified hill." Thus, the name itself is a reflection of the ancestral family’s place of origin; as it is likely that the individuals were descended from a family that had once held a castle or hill fort.
It is believed that the surname first arrived in Scotland during the 17th century and in Ireland during the 19th century following the Great Potato Famine. Today, MacCahern is still a popular surname throughout Scotland, Ireland, and other countries with a significant Irish or Scottish community, such as Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United States.
Famous people with the name MacCahern
- Alex MacCahern: Gaelic Footballer from Donegal, Ireland
- Peter MacCahern: Professional Rugby League Player from New Zealand
- Matt MacCahern: Major League Baseball Player and Coach
- Ann-Marie MacCahern: Canadian Politician
- Luke MacCahern: Canadian Environmental Activist
- William MacCahern: Professional Wrestler from Canada
- Sean MacCahern: Dancer, Choreographer, and Actor
- Bill MacCahern: former Canadian Prime Minister
- Fiona MacCahern: Irish Lawyer and Politician
- Michael MacCahern: Irish Actor, Writer, and Director