MacNamara

Mac Conmara (anglicised as MacNamara or McNamara) is an Irish surname of a family of County Clare in Ireland. The MacNamara family were a Dál gCais sept and after the O'Briens one of the most powerful families in the Kingdom of Thomond as Lords of Clancullen (a title later divided into East and West families). They are related to the O'Gradys, also descended from the Uí Caisin line of the Dál gCais.

McNamara MacNamara
Mac Con Mara

Armorial of MacNamara
Parent houseDál gCais
CountryKingdom of Thomond
FounderCú Mara mac Domhnall
Titles
  • Marshal of Thomond
  • Lord of Clancullen
  • Lord of Bunratty
Cadet branchesMcInerney
MacNamara Fionn

The name began with the chieftain Cumara, of Maghadhair in county Clare. Cumara is a contracted form of Conmara – hound of the sea. His son, Domhnall, who died in 1099, adopted the surname Mac Conmara, or son of Cumara, thus becoming the very first MacNamara. The name has survived relatively unmodified as MacConmara in Irish and Mac (or Mc) Namara in English.[1]

Naming conventions

The name is a contraction of "Mac Cú Na Mara" meaning "Son of the Hound of the Sea".[2]

Male Daughter Wife (Long) Wife (Short)
Mac Conmara[3] Nic Conmara Bean Mhic Conmara Mhic Conmara

The name has wide varieties of pronunciations, the most popular being that to United States secretary of Defense, Robert McNamara. The vast majority of people with the name live in the English-speaking world and have since dropped the Irish pronunciation of the name, Mæknəmɛrå.

Background

They were an influential clan in Thomond, building numerous castles across the region indicating their power and influence, such as Knappogue Castle. Once they were married into the Irish Royale family and became lords.

Notables

Sioda Cam MacConmara rebuilt Quin Abbey where many members of this clan were subsequently laid to rest.

Donnchadh Ruadh Mac Conmara (1715–1810) was a Jacobite poet.

Sean Buidhe Mac Conmara (c. 1750-1836), more commonly known as John "Fireball" MacNamara,[4] is remembered because of his daring exploits and his flair for the dramatic which has since featured in verse and in story.[5]

Persons
Main article: List of people named MacNamara

References
  1. McNamara at Araltas, McNamara family history
  2. http://www.clarelibrary.ie/eolas/coclare/genealogy/macnamara_family.htm
  3. "Mac Conmara". Sloinne. 5 December 2015.
  4. http://www.clarelibrary.ie/eolas/coclare/people/fireballmac.htm
  5. County Clare Public Library Entry on "Fireball", " John "Fireball" MacNamara (c. 1750-1836)", County Clare Public Library, 28/05/2014


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