Mcmahon
Son of Mathghamhain, an Irish given name meaning "bear" or "cub."
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 45,792 Americans carry the last name Mcmahon. That puts it at #883 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 13.36 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 7,485 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Mcmahon surname. You will find the Census Bureau frequency data, an ancestry and ethnicity breakdown based on self-reported demographics, the name's meaning and origin where available, and answers to the most common questions people ask about this surname.
Bearers in the US
46K
1 in 7,485
Census rank
#883
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
13.4
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
39K
uncommon in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 39,411 bearers of the surname Mcmahon in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 13.36 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 883rd position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Mcmahon, the largest self-reported group is White at 93.2%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (2.3%) and Black (2.3%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Mcmahon
The surname McMahon originated in Ireland and derived from the Gaelic 'Mac Mathghamhna', meaning 'son of the bear'. It is an ancient Irish name that can be traced back to the 10th century. The McMahon clan was prominent in County Down, particularly in the baronies of Iveagh and Kinalea.
The McMahons were a powerful family who ruled over territories in County Down and parts of County Armagh. They were among the most important septs of the Oireacht Ui Eathach, a powerful dynasty that dominated much of Ulster from the 11th to the 16th century. The McMahons were noted for their involvement in various conflicts and battles during this period.
One of the earliest recorded references to the name is found in the Annals of Ulster, which mentions a chieftain named Mathghamhain (McMahon) who died in 1022. The name also appears in the Annals of the Four Masters, a chronicle of medieval Irish history compiled in the early 17th century.
In the 14th century, the McMahons were involved in a long-standing feud with the Savages, another prominent family in County Down. This conflict is mentioned in several historical records, including the Patent Rolls of James I, which refer to the "McMahons and Savages" as the two principal septs of the region.
Notable individuals with the surname McMahon include:
1. Heber McMahon (1600-1650), an Irish bishop and author who played a significant role in the Confederate Wars of the 1640s.
2. Maurice McMahon (1719-1792), an Irish-American merchant and politician who served as a delegate to the Continental Congress.
3. Martin McMahon (1835-1906), an Irish-American lawyer and politician who served as a US Senator from Ohio.
4. Sir Brian McMahon (1909-1998), an Irish judge and politician who served as the Attorney General of Ireland.
5. Ed McMahon (1923-2009), an American comedian and television personality best known as the longtime host of the Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.
The McMahon surname has been widespread throughout Ireland and has also been prominent in other countries with significant Irish diaspora populations, such as the United States, Canada, and Australia.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Mcmahon
Among Census respondents with the surname Mcmahon, the largest self-reported group is White at 93.2%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (2.3%) and Black (2.3%).
The bar chart below shows how Mcmahon bearers described their own race and ethnicity on the 2010 Census form. The Census Bureau groups responses into six broad categories: White, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian and Pacific Islander, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Two or More Races. When a category has too few respondents for a given surname, the Bureau suppresses the figure to protect individual privacy, which is why some names show fewer than six slices.
Keep in mind that these are self-reported numbers. A person's surname does not determine their race or ethnicity, and the distribution you see here reflects the specific population who happened to carry the Mcmahon surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White93.2%
- Hispanic or Latino2.3%
- Black or African American2.3%
- Two or more races1.3%
- Asian and Pacific Islander0.7%
- American Indian and Alaska Native0.2%
Year on year
2000 vs 2010 Census
How has the Mcmahon surname changed between Census years? The chart shows bearer count side by side, and the table compares rank, count, and frequency.
Census year comparison
| Metric | 2000 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #819 | #883 | -7.8% |
| Count | 38,557 | 39,411 | 2.2% |
| Per 100K | 14.29 | 13.36 | -6.5% |
Between the 2000 and 2010 Census, the number of Mcmahon bearers went from 38,557 to 39,411 (+2.2% change). The surname moved down 64 positions in the national ranking, going from #819 to #883.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Mcmahon
FAQ
Mcmahon surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Mcmahon?
The surname Mcmahon holds position #883 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 45,792 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 13.36 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Mcmahon surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Mcmahon, the largest self-reported group is White at 93.2%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (2.3%) and Black (2.3%). These figures come from the 2010 Census Bureau surname tables, based on how respondents described their own race and ethnicity.
Where does this surname data come from?
All surname statistics on Name Census are drawn from the US Census Bureau's decennial surname frequency tables. These tables list every surname that appeared 100 or more times in the 2010 Census, along with a frequency rate and self-reported demographic breakdown. You can read the full explanation on our methodology page.