Mathghamhain

Mathghamhain is an Irish masculine given name, with alternate spellings such as Mathgamain and Mathgamháin found in early medieval sources. The name is traditionally associated with the bear, and etymological details vary by source; it is commonly interpreted as meaning something along the lines of “bear-like” or “bear cub,” though precise derivation is not fixed in modern scholarship.

The best-known bearer of the name in historical records is Mathgamain mac Cennétig, a 10th‑century king of the Dál g Cais in Munster. He is described in annalistic and genealogical sources as consolidating power within his branch of the Dál g Cais and reigned roughly from the early 940s until his death in 976. According to tradition, he was killed by his brother Donnchad mac Cennétig, an event that sparked a dynastic struggle and set the stage for the later rise of Brian Boru.

In later usage, Mathghamhain appears mainly in historical, genealogical, and literary contexts. The name persists in modern times primarily as a revived or revived-in-spirit traditional Irish name and as part of surnames derived from the given name, such as Mac Mathghamhna, indicating “son of Mathghamhain.” Variants of the form continue to be cited in Irish language and cultural materials, reflecting its medieval origins and its role in the lineage of the Dál g Cais.