A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the McMahon family of Ireland.
Reg. 2170 · Irish, M–O
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
lionCourage, strength and royalty
armA person of action, industrious and laborious
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Quarterly, 1st and 4th, or, a lion ramp. gu.; 2nd, gu. a sinister arm in armour embowed, holding in the hand a sword bendwise, hilted or; 3rd, az. a sinister hand and arm couped at the elbow, holding a sword erect wavy with a snake entwined thereon all ppr”
CarlowHollymount · Carlow, c. 1645
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Map of Ireland showing where the McMahon arms are recorded
The McMahon arms were recorded in Carlow, c. 1645.
Carlow was small, rich farming country in south-eastern Ireland, taken early by Norman families. Good land kept the same families on it, and staying put is what puts a name in the records.
This is where the arms were entered in the register. Families often moved to other parts of the country, so the same name can turn up in more than one region.
The body that granted and recorded arms in Ireland in this period.
Charles I of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles I of England
1625–1649
Reigning in Ireland when the McMahon arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Ireland
The Ulster King of Arms granted coats of arms to individuals who proved their social standing and good character. These symbols were typically inherited by all legitimate descendants of the original holder. If a family branch wanted a unique look, they could apply for a specific change to their design through the office to ensure their identity remained distinct.
Granting authority
The Ulster King of Arms acted as the official body that regulated and issued all coats of arms throughout Ireland.
How they got arms
Families obtained their arms through formal grants issued by the office after proving their eligibility and paying the required fees.
Where arms were recorded
All official grants were recorded in the registers held by the Ulster King of Arms starting from the year 1552.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Carlow.
Origin & History of the McMahon Family in Ireland
The name McMahon is an Anglicized version of the Gaelic surname Mac Mathghamhna, which translates to "son of the bear." The family traces its deepest roots to the province of Ulster, where they were a prominent sept of the Airgíalla. By the mid-seventeenth century, the family had established a notable presence in County Carlow, as evidenced by records from 1645. During this period of Irish history, many families were displaced due to political upheaval and the shifting ownership of land. Despite these challenges, the McMahons maintained their identity as they moved across different regions of Ireland. Their history reflects the broader story of Gaelic clans who navigated centuries of social and political change while preserving their ancestral name.
McMahon Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Mac Mathghamhna
Son of the bear
This name
McMahonDerived from an ancient Gaelic term signifying a descendant of a bear-like warrior.
also spelled
Mcmahan
Mcmahen
Related arms
Mac Mahonvariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
MacLysaght, Edward. The Surnames of Ireland. 1985
O'Hart, John. Irish Pedigrees; or, The Origin and Stem of the Irish Nation. 1892
National Archives of Ireland. Civil Survey of the County of Carlow. 1654
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
lionCourage, strength and royalty
armA person of action, industrious and laborious
lionCourage, strength and royalty
armA person of action, industrious and laborious
