McDonough is an Irish surname.

Origins and variants

The surname is an

Anglicized Anglicisation is the process by which a place or person becomes influenced by English culture or British culture, or a process of cultural and/or linguistic change in which something non-English becomes English. It can also refer to the influen ...

form of the

Gaelic Gaelic is an adjective that means "pertaining to the Gaels". As a noun it refers to the group of languages spoken by the Gaels, or to any one of the languages individually. Gaelic languages are spoken in Ireland, Scotland, the Isle of Man, and Ca ...

name "Mac Donnchadha", which means son of Donnchadh or son of Donough. The name itself consists of elements meaning "brown (donn)" or

Donn In Irish mythology, Donn ("the dark one", from cel-x-proto, Dhuosnos) 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 ...

“the dark one”, plus "battle (chatha)". Originally, two separate clans existed in Ireland, the first in Connacht, and these MacDonnchadha's were a branch of the

MacDermot Mac Diarmada (anglicised as MacDermot or McDermott), also spelled Mac Diarmata, is an Irish surname, and the surname of the ruling dynasty of Moylurg, a kingdom that existed in Connacht from the 10th to 16th centuries. The last ruling king was ...

s, the 8th Century Kings of Connacht. The second clan in

Munster Munster ( gle, an Mhumhain or ) is one of the provinces of Ireland, in the south of Ireland. In early Ireland, the Kingdom of Munster was one of the kingdoms of Gaelic Ireland ruled by a "king of over-kings" ( ga, rí ruirech). Following th ...

, 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, Blarney an ...

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 MacCarthy ( ga, Mac Cárthaigh), also spelled Macarthy, McCarthy or McCarty, is an Irish clan originating from Munster, an area they ruled during the Middle Ages. It was divided into several great branches; the MacCarthy Reagh, MacCarthy of Mu ...

, 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 James Allison McDonough (born June 6, 1950) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player who played 237 games in the National Hockey League and 200 games in the World Hockey Association. McDonough was born in Hamilton, Ontario, but grew up ...

, Canadian ice hockey player *

Alexa McDonough Alexa Ann McDonough ( Shaw; August 11, 1944 – January 15, 2022) was a Canadian politician who became the first woman to lead a major, recognized political party in Nova Scotia, when she was elected the Nova Scotia New Democratic Party's (NSN ...

, Canadian politician *

Ann M. McDonough Ann M. McNaughton (1915-1995) was a United States Army Chief Warrant Officer 3 in Military Intelligence including counterintelligence roles. In 1988, she was admitted as a member of the Military Intelligence Hall of Fame, and she served as a Dis ...

(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 Bridget McDonough is the co-founder of Light Opera Works. References American musical theatre directors American theatre managers and producers Northwestern University alumni Year of birth missing (living people) Living people {{ ...

, American businesswoman * David McDonough, New York Assemblyman *

Darron McDonough Darron Karl McDonough (born 7 November 1962) is an English former footballer, most noted as a player for Oldham Athletic and Luton Town. Playing career Born in Antwerp but raised in Lancashire, McDonough joined his local side Oldham Athletic f ...

, 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 ...

, Irish jockey who competes in Flat racing *

Denis McDonough Denis Richard McDonough (born December 2, 1969) is an American government official serving as the 11th United States Secretary of Veterans Affairs under President Joe Biden since 2021. McDonough served in the Obama Administration as chief of ...

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

Glen MacDonough Glen MacDonough (1870 – March 30, 1924) was an American writer, lyricist and librettist. He was the son of theater manager Thomas B. MacDonough and actress/author Laura Don. Glen MacDonough married Margaret Jefferson in 1896 in Buzzard's Bay, ...

(1870–1924), US American writer, lyricist and librettist *

Gordon L. McDonough Gordon Leo McDonough (January 2, 1895 – June 25, 1968) was an American politician who served as a U.S. Representative from Californiafrom 1945 to 1963. Early life and career Born in Buffalo, New York, McDonough moved with his parents to E ...

, 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 John Scantlebury Macdonald (May 30, 1871 – September 26, 1931) was a Canadian-born singer of Irish and Scottish descent, and recording executive. Under the pseudonym Harry Macdonough, he was one of the most prolific and popular tenors du ...

, Canadian singer and recording executive * Hubie McDonough, American ice hockey player * Jack McDonough, Australian rules footballer who played with South Melbourne and Fitzroy in the VFL during the early 1900s *

Jake McDonough Jake McDonough (born November 3, 1989) is an American football defensive end who is currently a free agent. He signed as an undrafted free agent by the New York Jets in 2013. He played college football at Iowa State University. He was also ...

, American football defensive end * James MacDonough (born 1970), American bass guitarist *

James McDonogh James John Murphy McDonogh (13 April 1871 – 26 January 1912) was an Irish first-class cricketer. McDonogh was born at Killarney in County Kerry in April 1871. His debut in first-class cricket came in New Zealand for the North Island ag ...

, Irish first-class cricketer * Jenny McDonough, field hockey forward who plays for Ireland *

Jimmy McDonough Jimmy McDonough is a biographer and journalist. He is best known for his biographies of Russ Meyer, Andy Milligan, Tammy Wynette, Al Green, and Neil Young. He is noted by critics for his remarkably exhaustive accounts and for his tendency to avoi ...

, American journalist and biographer * John McDonogh (1779-1850), United States entrepreneur and philanthropist, founder and namesake of McDonoghville Louisiana *

John McDonogh (hurler) John McDonogh (1941 - 12 September 2012) was an Irish hurler who played as full-back for the Limerick senior team. Born in Ballysimon, Limerick, McDonogh first arrived on the inter-county scene at the age of sixteen when he first linked up ...

(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 e ...

, 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 i ...

, politician and businessman from Georgia, US * John McDonough (sports executive) (born 1953), former president of the Chicago Blackhawks ice hockey team *

John E. McDonough John E. McDonough (born May 21, 1953) is an American professor of public health practice at the Harvard School of Public Health. He was also a politician who was a member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives from 1985 to 1997. McDonoug ...

(born 1953), professor of public health at the Harvard School of Public Health *

John J. McDonough (Massachusetts politician) John J. McDonough is an American politician who served as a member of the Boston School Committee from 1966 to 1968 and again from 1972 to 1982. He was the Chairman/President of the School Committee in 1967, 1975, 1976, and 1980. He was an unsucces ...

, 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) John P. McDonough (born July 7, 1950) is an American politician from Maryland. He served as Secretary of State of Maryland – a position appointed by the governor and confirmed by the state senate – from July 16, 2008 to January 21, ...

, American politician from Maryland * John T. McDonough, Irish born-American lawyer and politician *

Kiki McDonough Kiki McDonough is a British jewellery designer. She owns a shop off Sloane Square in Chelsea, and her jewellery is in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum in Kensington. Early life Kiki McDonough's father was the owner of an antiqu ...

, British jewellery designer *

Martin McDonogh Martin McDonogh (1858 – 24 November 1934) was an Irish politician. Early life Born in Gorumna, Connemara, to Thomas McDonogh and Honoria Hernon, McDonogh was the second son of six children who survived to adulthood. He was a cousin of the wri ...

(1860–1934), Irish politician *

Marie McDonough Marie McDonough (15 November 1917 – 18 October 2013) was an Australian cricketer. McDonough played one Test match for the Australia national women's cricket team, against England women at Perth in March 1958. McDonough played six seasons for ...

(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. He assumed the presidency as he was vice president at the time of the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. Johnson was a D ...

, the 17th President of the United States * Matthew McDonough, 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 "Buck" Compton in the HBO miniseries '' Band of Brothers'' (2001), Deputy District Attorney David McNorris on ''Boomtown'' (2002–200 ...

, American actor * Pat McDonough, US Maryland politician * Patrick MacDonogh, 20th-century Irish poet * Patrick McDonough (cyclist) (born 1961), American track cyclist *

Patrick F. McDonough Patrick F. McDonough (died June 20, 2001 in Plymouth, New Hampshire) was a Connemara, Ireland-born American police officer, attorney, and politician who served as a member of the Boston City Council from 1956–64, 1966–70, and 1972–82. He wa ...

(fl. 1956–2001), Irish-American police officer, attorney, and politician *

Paul McDonough (disambiguation) Paul McDonough may refer to: * Paul McDonough (American football) (1916–1960), American football player * Paul McDonough (photographer) (born 1941), American photographer {{Human name disambiguation, McDonough, Paul ...

, 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, English football player and manager who holds the record for red cards in the English professional game *

Ryan McDonough (disambiguation) Ryan McDonough may refer to: *Ryan McDonough (ice hockey) (born 1988), Canadian ice hockey player *Ryan McDonough (NBA executive) Ryan Michael McDonough (born November 20, 1980) is the former general manager of the Phoenix Suns of the National Ba ...

, several people *

Sean McDonough Sean McDonough (born May 13, 1962) is an American sportscaster, currently employed by ESPN and WEEI Red Sox Radio Network. Early life The son of ''Boston Globe'' sportswriter Will McDonough, McDonough graduated from the S. I. Newhouse School ...

, American television sportscaster *

Sean Daniel (basketball) Sean Mcdonough Daniel (שון דניאל; born May 4, 1989) is an Israeli former professional basketball player. He played the small forward position. He was named the 2012 Israeli Basketball Premier League Most Improved Player. Biography Daniel ...

(born 1989), Israeli basketball player *

Suzanne Clarke McDonough Suzanne Clarke McDonough (born Suzanne B. Clarke in 1933) is an American xocialite 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 an early-19th-century Irish-American naval officer noted for his roles in the first Barbary War and the War of 1812. He was the son of a revolutionary officer, Thomas Macdonoug ...

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

William McDonough William Andrews McDonough is an American architect, designer, and author. McDonough is founding principal of William McDonough + Partners, co-founder of McDonough MBDC, and co-author of '' Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Things'' ...

, American architect and author * William Joseph McDonough, Federal Reserve Bank of New York chairman

Given name

Macdonough Craven Macdonough Craven, often mistaken as MacDonough Craven and McDonough Craven, (November 11, 1858 – February 2, 1919) was an American naval officer, engineer, and politician. Born into a highly respected naval family, Craven was raised in Mar ...

, (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'', portrayed by

Jessica Biel Jessica Claire Timberlake (née Biel ; born March 3, 1982) is an American actress and model. She has received various accolades, including a Young Artist Award, and nominations for a Primetime Emmy Award and two Golden Globe Awards. Biel be ...

. * Blane McDonough, a rich boy 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. A cult classic, it is commonly identified as a " Brat Pack" film. It was directed by Howard Deutch, pro ...

'', 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'', and '' Le ...

. * 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 produced by ABC Family. The central character is a teenage boy ( Matt Dallas) who awakens naked in a forest outside Seattle, Washington, with no more knowledge or abilities than a n ...

'', 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. Born into the Coppola family, he is the recipient of List of awards and nominations received by Nicolas Cage, various ac ...

in the film ''

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

''. * 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 sam ...

, 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 an episodic psychiatric disease at the time of the c ...

'' 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