Mahoney (surname)

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Mahoney (or O'Mahoney or Gaelic O'Mathghamhna) is an Irish surname that originated in the early eleventh century. The forebear of the Mahoney's was Mathghamhan (or Mathuin or Mahon), the grandson of Brian Boru. Mathghamhan was killed at the Battle of Clontarf in 1014.

The Mahoneys flourished in southern Ireland. They were princes of an area in Cork along the River Bandon. They ruled as sovereigns over this territory until the English conquest of Ireland. The meaning of the name is "descendant of bear."