722 Global MOAN Family Members

MOAN Family History

This famous Irish surname recorded in such diverse spellings as O'Mahon, Mahon, Moan, Moen, Mowne, Mohun, Mowen, Maughan and Vaughan, has two possible derivations. The first is from the ancient Gaelic O'Mochain, apparently translating as "the son of the descendant of the early one" a reference to the first chief, whilst the second is of Norman origins, and derives from the "de Mohun" family, who accompanied Strongbow, earl of Pembroke, on his original expedition to Ireland in the year 1169. There are now two separate clans or septs, one in Connacht, the other in Munster, where to add confusion the name is usually spelt Vaughan.