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Surname Etymology and Meaning of MCNAMARA

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Name meanings and etymologies are often disputed. The information here is compiled from freely available sources, and no claims whatsoever are made for accuracy, either historical or etymological.

(origin: Celtic.) From Mac, son, and cu-marra or or con-marra, "the hero of the sea." Con-marra was descended from Cas, King of Thomond, from whom came McConmara, or Macnamara. This family were anciently hereditary lords in the County of Clare.

Source: An Etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian Names With an Essay on their Derivation and Import (1857).

Irish: Anglicized form of Gaelic Mac Conmara, a patronymic from Cú Mhara, a personal name composed of the elements cú ‘hound’ + muir ‘sea’.

Source: Dictionary of American Family Names (2003)