MacManus is an Irish surname. It is an anglicized form of the Gaelic Mac Maghnuis, meaning "son of Magnus."
Etymology
The surname is derived from the Old Irish patronymic Mac Maghnuis. The components are:
- Mac: A Gaelic prefix meaning "son of."
- Maghnuis: A personal name of Norse-Gaelic origin. It stems from the Old Norse Magnús, which in turn is derived from the Latin magnus, meaning "great." The name Magnus was introduced to Ireland and Scotland by Norse settlers and invaders during the medieval period.
Historically, the MacManus clan was a prominent family, particularly associated with County Fermanagh in Ulster, Ireland.
Distribution
The surname MacManus is predominantly found in Ireland, especially in the province of Ulster. Due to significant historical emigration, the name is also common among the Irish diaspora in countries such as the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia.
Notable People
Several individuals with the surname MacManus have achieved prominence in various fields:
- Séamus MacManus (1869–1960), an Irish author, poet, and dramatist, celebrated for his collections of Irish folklore and short stories.
- Frank MacManus (1881–1965), an Irish politician who served as a Teachta Dála (TD) for Kerry.
- James MacManus (born 1947), a British journalist and author, known for his work as a foreign correspondent and editor for various publications.
- Declan Patrick MacManus (born 1954), more widely known by his stage name Elvis Costello, an English musician, singer, songwriter, and record producer. He is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in popular music.
- Pat MacManus (born 1948), an Irish politician who served as a Teachta Dála (TD) for Dublin South-West.
- Ron MacManus (born 1932), an American former professional baseball player who played in Major League Baseball.