McNeah

McNeah is a surname of Irish origin. It is an anglicized form of the Gaelic Ó Meadhra, meaning "descendant of Meadhra." The personal name Meadhra itself is believed to derive from the Irish word for "mad" or "intoxicated," though its exact etymology is uncertain. The sept of Ó Meadhra was historically prominent in the region of County Tipperary in Munster. Like many Irish surnames, McNeah has seen variations in spelling over centuries due to the anglicization process.

The distribution of the McNeah surname in Ireland and among the Irish diaspora can be traced through historical records and modern demographic data. While not one of the most common surnames, it is present in various counties across Ireland, particularly in the west and south. Emigration from Ireland has led to the presence of individuals with the McNeah surname in countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom. Genealogists and historians sometimes research the surname to understand the migration patterns and family histories associated with it. The surname's presence in different geographical locations reflects the broader history of Irish settlement worldwide.