The Monahan name carries an old Gaelic echo of Ireland’s monastic past.
Where does the Monahan name come from?
Monahan is an anglicised form of the Irish Ó Manacháin, "descendant of Manachán" — a personal name built on manach, the Irish word for a monk. The spellings Monahan, Monaghan and Monohan all belong to the same Gaelic name. It is a name of the western and northern parts of the island.
The Monahans of Connacht
The principal sept of the name was seated in County Roscommon in the province of Connacht, where the family held lands among the old kindreds of the region. A distinct family of the name also took root in County Fermanagh in the north. Fitting for a name drawn from the word for a monk, the Monahans are counted among the families with early ecclesiastical associations. The name is found today across Ireland and among the diaspora in the United States, Canada, Australia and Britain.
Did you know?
- Ó Manacháin derives from manach, the Irish word for "monk."
- The principal sept was seated in County Roscommon in Connacht.
- A distinct family of the name was also found in County Fermanagh.
- Monahan, Monaghan and Monohan are variant spellings of the same name.
- The name’s monastic root places it among Ireland’s families with old ecclesiastical ties.
Related Irish family names
Carry the Monahan name with you
From woven blankets and mugs to ornaments and garden flags, our Monahan collection lets you display the family crest and tartan artwork of this old Connacht name. Search your surname in our store to see the full range for the Monahan family.
Frequently asked questions
Where does the Monahan family come from in Ireland?
The main sept was seated in County Roscommon in Connacht, with a separate family of the name in County Fermanagh.
What does the name Monahan mean?
It comes from the Irish Ó Manacháin, based on manach, meaning "monk." Monaghan and Monohan are variant spellings of the same name.
Is there a Monahan family crest?
Families of the name have heraldic traditions; the crest and tartan artwork on our Monahan products is created as decorative heritage artwork to celebrate the name.
