McDonough is an Irish

surname In many societies, a surname, family name, or last name is the mostly hereditary portion of one's personal name that indicates one's family. It is typically combined with a given name to form the full name of a person, although several give ...

Origins and variants

The surname is an

Anglicized Anglicisation or anglicization is a form of cultural assimilation whereby something non-English becomes assimilated into or influenced by the culture of England. It can be sociocultural, in which a non-English place adopts the English language ...

form of the

Gaelic Gaelic (pronounced for Irish Gaelic and for Scots Gaelic) is an adjective that means "pertaining to the Gaels". It may refer to: Languages * Gaelic languages or Goidelic languages, a linguistic group that is one of the two branches of the Insul ...

name "Mac Donnchadha", which means son of

Donnchadh Donnchadh () is a masculine given name common to the Irish and Scottish Gaelic languages. It is composed of the elements ''donn'', meaning "brown" or "dark" from Donn a Gaelic God; and ''chadh'', meaning "chief" or "noble". The name is also writt ...

or son of Donough. The name itself consists of elements meaning "brown (donn)" or

Donn In Irish mythology, Donn ("the dark one", from ) is an ancestor of the Gaels and is believed to have been a god of the dead. Donn is said to dwell in Tech Duinn (the "house of Donn" or "house of the dark one"), where the souls of the dead gathe ...

“the dark one”, plus "battle (chatha)". Various unrelated clans carrying this surname existed in Ireland, at least two in

Connacht Connacht or Connaught ( ; or ), is the smallest of the four provinces of Ireland, situated in the west of Ireland. Until the ninth century it consisted of several independent major Gaelic kingdoms (Uí Fiachrach, Uí Briúin, Uí Maine, C ...

: these MacDonnchadhas were a branch of the MacDermots, the kings of Moylurg. Another McDonough clan were cadets of the O'Flaherty chiefs in

Iar Connacht West Connacht (; Modern Irish: ''Iar Connacht'') was a kingdom of Gaelic Ireland, associated geographically with present-day County Galway, particularly the area known more commonly today as Connemara. The kingdom represented the core homeland o ...

. The second clan in

Munster Munster ( or ) is the largest of the four provinces of Ireland, located in the south west of the island. In early Ireland, the Kingdom of Munster was one of the kingdoms of Gaelic Ireland ruled by a "king of over-kings" (). Following the Nor ...

, whose chiefs held the Castle of

Kanturk Kanturk () is a town in the north west of County Cork, Ireland. It is situated at the confluence of the Allua (Allow) and Dallow (Dalua) rivers, which stream further on as tributaries to the River Blackwater. It is about from Cork and Limeric ...

in County Cork, and who were known as the bards of Duhallow, were a branch of the MacCarthys going by McDonough. The name is now rare in Cork, with some of the original name holders, it is believed, changing their name to MacCarthy, although some with the original name still remain in Munster. One explanation for the many spelling variations is that scribes and church officials frequently spelled the name as it sounded: an imprecise method at best. Understandably then, various spellings of the surname McDonough were found in the many archives researched including MacDonough, McDonogh, and many more.

Notable people with the surname

Adam McDonough Adam McDonough (born September 24, 1985) is an American retired mixed martial artist who competed in Bellator's Welterweight division. Mixed martial arts career Early career McDonough started his professional career in 2007. He fought mainly f ...

(born 1985), American mixed martial artist * Aidan McDonough (born 1999), American ice hockey player * Al McDonough, Canadian ice hockey player *

Alexa McDonough Alexa Ann McDonough ( Shaw; August 11, 1944 – January 15, 2022) was a Canadian politician who served as leader of the New Democratic Party from 1995 to 2003. She was the first woman to lead a major, recognized political party in Nova Scotia ...

, Canadian politician * Ann M. McDonough (1915-1995), member of the Military Intelligence Hall of Fame *

Ann Patrice McDonough Ann Patrice McDonough (born May 29, 1985) is an American former competitive figure skater. She is the 2002 World Junior champion and the 2003 U.S. national pewter medalist. McDonough retired from competition in 2004. Personal life Ann Patric ...

, American figure skater * Arthur Edward McDonogh, (c. 1810 – 1852), New Zealand policeman, police magistrate, militia officer and roading supervisor. * Brendan McDonough, American soccer player *

Blair McDonough Blair McDonough (born 30 April 1981), is an Australian actor who is best known for playing the role of Stuart Parker in the Australian TV soap opera ''Neighbours''. He first shot to fame the age of 19 in 2001, when he finished runner-up in the ...

, Australian actor * Bob McDonogh, American racecar driver * Brian McDonough, American physician and writer * Bridget McDonough, American businesswoman * David McDonough, New York Assemblyman * Darron McDonough, English footballer *

Declan McDonogh Declan McDonogh (born 21 January 1980) in County Meath is an Irish jockey who competes in Flat racing. McDonogh rode his first winner at Leopardstown Racecourse in June 1995 and has worked for trainers Kevin Prendergast, John Oxx and Joseph O'B ...

, Irish jockey who competes in Flat racing *

Denis McDonough Denis Richard McDonough (born December 2, 1969) is an American government official who served as the 11th United States Secretary of Veterans Affairs from 2021 to 2025 under President Joe Biden. McDonough served in the Presidency of Barack Obam ...

, US Secretary of Veterans Affairs under President Joe Biden; White House Chief of Staff, Deputy National Security Advisor and National Security Council Chief of Staff under President Barack Obama. * Eileen McDonough (1962–2012), American child actress *

Elizabeth MacDonough Elizabeth MacDonough (born February 16, 1966) is an American lawyer and the Parliamentarian of the United States Senate since 2012. She is the first woman and Democrat to hold the position. MacDonough guided the Senate through the First impeachm ...

, Parliamentarian of the United States Senate * Frank McDonough, British historian of 20th-century Germany * Fred McDonogh, Irish politician * Gabe McDonough, Canadian record producer who is the vice president music director at Leo Burnett USA * George Macdonogh, British Army general officer. *

Giles MacDonogh Giles MacDonogh (born 1955) is a British writer, historian and translator. Life MacDonogh has worked as a journalist, most notably for the ''Financial Times'' (1988–2003), where he covered food, drink and a variety of ...

(born 1955), British writer, historian and translator *

Glen MacDonough Glen MacDonough (1870 – March 30, 1924) was an American lyricist, librettist, and playwright. He is best-remembered today as the librettist of Victor Herbert's operetta, ''Babes in Toyland (operetta), Babes in Toyland'' (1903). Early life ...

(1870–1924), US American writer, lyricist and librettist * Gordon L. McDonough, U.S. Representative from California *

Guy McDonough Guy Gillis McDonough (17 October 1955 – 26 June 1984) was an Australian rock musician best known for rhythm guitar and singer-songwriter with the iconic band Australian Crawl. He provided rhythm guitar and lead vocals on two of their well-know ...

, Australian rock musician * Harry Macdonough, Canadian singer and recording executive *

Hubie McDonough Hubert Boniface McDonough (born July 8, 1963) is an American professional ice hockey executive and former player. He played in the National Hockey League between 1988 and 1993 with the Los Angeles Kings, New York Islanders, and San Jose Sharks. ...

, American ice hockey player *

Jack McDonough John Martin McDonough (26 July 1879 – 23 February 1955) was an Australian rules footballer who played for the South Melbourne Football Club and Fitzroy Football Club in the Victorian Football League The Victorian Football League (VFL) ...

, Australian rules footballer who played with South Melbourne and Fitzroy in the VFL during the early 1900s * Jake McDonough, American football defensive end *

James MacDonough James MacDonough (born April 3, 1970) is an American bass guitarist. He has played with heavy metal bands Iced Earth, Nevermore, and Megadeth. Career MacDonough was part of Iced Earth's line up from 1996–2000 and again from 2001–2004. W ...

(born 1970), American bass guitarist * James McDonogh, Irish first-class cricketer * Jenny McDonough, field hockey forward who plays for Ireland * Jimmy McDonough, American journalist and biographer *

John McDonogh John McDonogh (December 29, 1779 – October 26, 1850) was an American entrepreneur whose adult life was spent in south Louisiana and later in Baltimore. He made a fortune in real estate and shipping, and as a Slavery, slave owner, he supported ...

(1779-1850), United States entrepreneur and philanthropist, founder and namesake of McDonoghville Louisiana * John McDonogh (hurler) (1941–2012), Irish hurler who played as full-back for the Limerick senior team *

John McDonough (piper) John "Mac an Asal" McDonough (died c. 1857) was an Irish piper. McDonough was a native of Annaghdown, County Galway but had travelled widely throughout Ireland, spending a great deal of time in Dublin (at one stage apparently entertaining ei ...

, Irish piper from County Galway *

John McDonough (Savannah mayor) John Joseph McDonough (August 3, 1849 – November 26, 1926) was a politician and businessman from Georgia, United States. Background McDonough was born in 1849 in Augusta, Georgia, the son of an Irish-born immigrant. He received his education ...

, politician and businessman from Georgia, US *

John McDonough (sports executive) John McDonough may refer to: * John McDonough (businessman) (1951–2023), British businessman, CEO of Carillion *John McDonough (Savannah mayor) (1849–1926), American politician, mayor of Savannah, Georgia, 1891–1895 * John McDonough (sports e ...

(born 1953), former president of the Chicago Blackhawks ice hockey team * John E. McDonough (born 1953), professor of public health at the Harvard School of Public Health * John J. McDonough (Massachusetts politician), American politician who served as a member of the Boston School Committee from 1966 to 1968 and again from 1972 to 1982 * John J. McDonough (mayor), mayor of St. Paul, Minnesota * John P. McDonough (politician), American politician from Maryland * John T. McDonough, Irish born-American lawyer and politician * Kiki McDonough, British jewellery designer * Martin McDonogh (1860–1934), Irish politician *

Martin McDonagh Martin Faranan McDonagh ( ; born 26 March 1970) is a British-Irish playwright and filmmaker. He is known for his Absurdism, absurdist Black comedy, dark humour which often challenges the modern theatre aesthetic. He has won List of awards and no ...

, British-Irish playwright and filmmaker * Marie McDonough (1917–2013), Australian cricketer * Mary Elizabeth McDonough, American actress * Mary ("Polly") McDonough (1783–1856), mother of

Andrew Johnson Andrew Johnson (December 29, 1808July 31, 1875) was the 17th president of the United States, serving from 1865 to 1869. The 16th vice president, he assumed the presidency following the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. Johnson was a South ...

, the 17th President of the United States *

Matthew McDonough Matthew McDonough (born March 12, 1969) is an American drummer best known as a member of the heavy metal band Mudvayne. He is the band's original drummer and has appeared and performed on every release by Mudvayne. He was also the original dr ...

, drummer for American heavy metal band Mudvayne * Megon McDonough, American folk/cabaret singer/songwriter *

Neal McDonough Neal McDonough (born February 13, 1966) is an American actor. He is known for his portrayal of Lieutenant Lynn Compton, Lynn "Buck" Compton in the HBO miniseries ''Band of Brothers (miniseries), Band of Brothers'' (2001), Deputy District Attorney ...

, American actor * Pat McDonough, US Maryland politician *

Patrick MacDonogh Patrick MacDonogh (1902–1961) was an Irish poet who published five books of poetry in his lifetime. His work is included in the Faber Book of Irish Verse. Biography Patrick MacDonogh was born in Dublin, one of five children. His father was ...

(1902–1961), Irish poet * Patrick McDonough (cyclist) (born 1961), American track cyclist * Patrick F. McDonough (fl. 1956–2001), Irish-American police officer, attorney, and politician * Patrick J. McDonough (1911–1980), American politician from Massachusetts * Paul McDonough (disambiguation), several people * Pete McDonough, San Francisco bail bondsman * Peter J. McDonough (1925–1998), American Republican Party politician from New Jersey *

R. C. McDonough Russell Charles "R. C." McDonough (December 7, 1924 – April 3, 2018) was a justice of the Montana Supreme Court from 1987 to 1993. Early life and career Born in Glendive, Montana, McDonough enlisted in the United States Army Air Forces in 1942, ...

(1924–2018), Justice of the Montana Supreme Court * Roger I. McDonough, American judge, served on the Utah Supreme Court from 1938 to 1966 *

Roy McDonough Roy McDonough (born 16 October 1958) is an English former professional football player and manager in the English Football League. Playing career Roy McDonough was born in Solihull, he was one of four brothers and a twin to Gaz McDonough. He c ...

, English football player and manager who holds the record for red cards in the English professional game * Ryan McDonough (disambiguation), several people *

Sean McDonough Sean McDonough (born May 13, 1962) is an American sportscaster, currently employed by ESPN and the WEEI Boston Red Sox Radio Network. McDonough has play-by-play experience for all four major professional sports leagues in the United States an ...

, American television sportscaster * Sean Daniel (basketball) (born 1989), Israeli basketball player *

Suzanne Clarke McDonough Suzanne Clarke McDonough (born Suzanne B. Clarke in 1933) is an American socialite and anti-drug activist. Early life and education Suzanne B. Clarke was born in Highland Park, Illinois. She is the daughter of Eugene Vincent Clarke and his wife. ...

, American journalist, documentary filmmaker *

Thomas Macdonough Thomas Macdonough, Jr. (December 31, 1783 – November 10, 1825) was a United States Navy officer noted for his roles in the First Barbary War and the War of 1812. He was the son of a revolutionary officer, Thomas Macdonough, Sr. who lived near ...

, 19th-century American naval officer * Will McDonough, American sportswriter for the ''Boston Globe'' *

William McDonough William Andrews McDonough (born February 20, 1951) is an American architect and academic. McDonough is the founding principal of William McDonough + Partners and was the dean of the School of Architecture at the University of Virginia''.'' He w ...

, American architect and author *

William Joseph McDonough William Joseph McDonough (April 21, 1934 – January 22, 2018) was an American economist. He was president and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York from 1993 to 2003. He was also on the board of the Bank for International Settlements and ch ...

, Federal Reserve Bank of New York chairman

Given name

* Macdonough Craven, (1858–1919), American naval officer, engineer, and politician *

Tunis Augustus Macdonough Craven Tunis Augustus Macdonough Craven (11 January 1813 – 5 August 1864) was an officer in the United States Navy. His career included service in the Mexican–American War and the American Civil War. Early life Tunis Augustus Macdonough Craven was b ...

(1813–1864), officer in the United States Navy

Fictional characters

* Alex McDonough, lawyer in the film ''

I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry ''I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry'' (also simply known as ''Chuck & Larry'') is a 2007 American buddy comedy film directed by Dennis Dugan from a screenplay by Barry Fanaro, Alexander Payne, and Jim Taylor. It stars Adam Sandler and Kevin J ...

'', portrayed by

Jessica Biel Jessica Claire Timberlake (née Biel ; born March 3, 1982) is an American actress. Biel began her career as a vocalist appearing in musical productions until she was cast as Mary Camden in the family drama series '' 7th Heaven'' (1996–2007 ...

. * Blane McDonnagh, a popular kid from a wealthy family in the film "

Pretty in Pink ''Pretty in Pink'' is a 1986 American teen romantic comedy-drama film about love and social cliques in American high schools in the 1980s. The film stars Molly Ringwald, alongside Harry Dean Stanton, Jon Cryer, Annie Potts, James Spader, a ...

". He falls for the protagonist, Andie (

Molly Ringwald Molly Kathleen Ringwald (born February 18, 1968) is an American actress, writer, and translator. She began her career as a child actress on the sitcoms ''Diff'rent Strokes'' and '' The Facts of Life'' (both 1979–1980) before being nominated for ...

), portrayed by

Andrew McCarthy Andrew Thomas McCarthy (born November 29, 1962) is an American actor, travel writer, and television director. He is most known as a member of the Brat Pack, with roles in 1980s films such as '' St. Elmo's Fire'', ''Pretty in Pink'', ''Mannequi ...

. * Declan McDonough, spoiled rich kid and high school basketball star in the American science fiction television series ''

Kyle XY ''Kyle XY'' is an American science fiction television series created by Eric Bress and J. Mackye Gruber and produced by ABC Signature, ABC Studios. The central character is a teenage boy (Matt Dallas) who awakens naked in a forest outside Seattl ...

'', portrayed by Chris Olivero. * H.I. "Hi" McDunnough, portrayed by

Nicolas Cage Nicolas Kim Coppola (born January 7, 1964), known professionally as Nicolas Cage, is an American actor and film producer. He is the recipient of List of awards and nominations received by Nicolas Cage, various accolades, including an Academy A ...

in the film ''

Raising Arizona ''Raising Arizona'' is a 1987 American crime comedy film written, directed and produced by Joel and Ethan Coen. It stars Nicolas Cage as H.I. "Hi" McDunnough, an ex-convict, and Holly Hunter as Edwina "Ed" McDunnough, a former police officer ...

''. * Jefferson "Seaplane" McDonough, pilot in the film '' Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle'' and its

sequel A sequel is a work of literature, film, theatre, television, music, or video game that continues the story of, or expands upon, some earlier work. In the common context of a narrative work of fiction, a sequel portrays events set in the same ...

, portrayed by

Nick Jonas Nicholas Jerry Jonas (born September 16, 1992) is an American singer, songwriter and actor. Jonas began acting on Broadway at the age of seven, and released his debut single in 2002; this caught the attention of Columbia Records, where Jonas ...

. * Detective Sergeant McDonough, police detective in the film ''

Criminally Insane The insanity defense, also known as the mental disorder defense, is an affirmative defense by excuse in a criminal case, arguing that the defendant is not responsible for their actions due to a psychiatric disease at the time of the criminal act ...

'' portrayed by

George Buck Flower George Albert "Buck" Flower (October 28, 1937 – June 18, 2004) was an American actor, writer, producer, assistant director, production manager, and casting director. He was sometimes credited as Ernest Wall, Buck Flower, George "Buck" Flower ...

. * Detective McDonough, police detective in the film '' Devil's Knot'', portrayed by Brian Howe.

References

{{surname Surnames of Irish origin