Surname Meagher - Meaning and Origin

Meagher: What does the surname Meagher mean?

The surname Meagher is derived from an old Gaelic noun "míadhachar" which implies kindness, honor, and majesty. It is a popular surname in Ireland, primarily in Counties Tipperary and Waterford in the province of Munster. It is sometimes anglicized as Maher, Meigher, or even O’Meagher; the 'O' in some Irish surnames typically signifies ‘descendant of’. Thus, O’Meagher could loosely translate to ‘descendant of the honorable or kind’. This surname has a rich history in Ireland and is associated with several notable individuals including Thomas Francis Meagher, an Irish nationalist and leader in the Rebellion of 1848 who later served as acting governor of Montana.

Meagher: Where does the name Meagher come from?

The surname Meagher is of Irish origin, deriving from the Gaelic “O’Meachair”, which means “hospitable” or “kindly”. This last name has been known by various spellings over the centuries including Maher, Meagher, O'Meagher, and O'Maher.

The surname originated in County Tipperary, where the O'Meachair clan held family seat from ancient times. The family was a Dalcassian sept, descended from the original population groups of Ireland, who lived in the provinces of Munster and Leinster.

Today, the surname Meagher is common in Ireland, especially in the region of its origin. However, following the period of mass emigration triggered by the Great Famine in the 19th century, many Irish families with the surname Meagher relocated to the United States, Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Thus, the surname Meagher is also relatively common in these countries due to the presence of the Irish diaspora. Among the notable figures with the surname include Thomas Francis Meagher, an Irish nationalist and leader of the Young Irelanders in the Rebellion of 1848 who later served as the acting governor of the Montana Territory.

Variations of the surname Meagher

The surname Meagher originated from the Irish Gaelic name "O'Meagher," meaning "hospitable." Variations of the name include Maher, Meigher, Meagar, O'Meagher, O'Maher, and Mauger. The surnames O'Mara and Mara are also derived from Maher, which was anglicized to Maher and used in counties Tipperary and Waterford in Ireland. The name was often changed by immigration officials or settlers upon their arrival to America, so Meagher could also take numerous different forms overseas.

In addition, surnames with similar origins and meanings could be considered variants. For example, the name "Marr" comes from the Gaelic "O'Meara" which bears a similar connotation to "hospitable." Others are Magher and Mager. The name's evolution over time and its variations can be largely attributed to the translation between the Gaelic and English languages, as well as immigration and geographical factors. The exact number of variants is unknown and could potentially be quite extensive. This stems from historical variations in spelling, depending largely on phonetic translations, and geographical disruptions.

Famous people with the name Meagher

• Joe Meagher: defunct American football quarterback who played for the Philadelphia Eagles in 1935.
• John Meagher: British four-time Olympic silver medalist in sailing.
• Peter Meagher: American lawyer, investor, and philanthropist.
• Terry Meagher: Canadian ice hockey player who competed in the 1972 Winter Olympics.
• Michael Meagher: Australian physician and sports medicine specialist.
• David Meagher: Australian politician who served as a member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly.
• Jake Meagher: Canadian beach volleyball player.
• Liam Meagher: Irish professional boxer.
• Liam Meagher, Jr.: Irish professional boxer and son of Liam Meagher.
• Dave Meagher: Canadian professional soccer player and coach.
• Barney Meagher: Irish Olympic swimmer.
• Andrew Meagher: Irish actor and screenwriter.
• Niall Meagher: Irish composer and producer.
• Rachel Meagher: American art director and production designer.
• Sarah Meagher: Canadian film actress.
• Paul Meagher: American author and professor.
• Brendan Meagher: Australian cricket umpire.
• Alfred Meagher: Irish judge and political figure.
• Thomas Meagher: Irish nationalist and leader of the Young Ireland movement.
• Kari Meagher: American TV director and producer.

Other surnames

Meagh