Monaghan

Monaghan is a surname of Irish origin, a variant of the more common Monahan. Both names derive from the Irish Ó Manacháin, meaning "descendant of Manacháin." The given name Manacháin itself means "little monk," composed of manach ("monk") and a diminutive suffix.

Connections to Place

Coincidentally, Monaghan is also the name of a town and county in Ireland. The town name (Irish: Muineachán) etymologically relates to muine, meaning "brake" (a thickly overgrown area) or "hillock," often interpreted as "land of the little hills." However, this is unrelated to the surname except through geographic association.

Notable Bearers

The surname Monaghan is borne by several recognizable figures, including the American actress Michelle Monaghan (b. 1976) and Northern Irish footballer James Monaghan (1912–1994), amongst others.

Distribution

Like many Irish surnames, Monaghan is found in Ireland and among the Irish diaspora, particularly in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia.

• Meaning: "descendant of the little monk"
• Origin: Irish (Anglicized form of Ó Manacháin)
• Type: Occupational/byname
• Usage: Irish surname, diaspora