McManus Surname History

Table of Contents

The historical manuscripts tell us that there are two distinct McManus families with their origins in Ireland - one emanating from the Maguires of Fermanagh (Ulster) and the other from the O’Conors of Roscommon (Connaught).

Fermanagh

The Fermanagh family’s origins are identified as Senat, or Baile-Mic-Maghnusa, an island in Lough Erne.

We are told in the old records that the island received the fancy name ‘Belle Isle ‘from its beauty.

One of the most celebrated characters associated with this family was Cathal Óg Mac Maghnusa, chief of his clan and compiler of the Annals of Ulster.

An entry in the annals for 1488 notes his inauguration by Maguire and the nobles ofFermanagh.

Roscommon

The Roscommon family were seated in the territory known as Tir-Tuathail; today identifiable with the Parish of Kilronan which includes the main villages of Keadue, Arigna and Ballyfarnon in County Roscommon.

Maghnus Ua Conchobair

It was Maghnus Ua Conchobair of Tir Thuathail (Kilronan), son of the King of Connaugh and High King of Ireland, Tairrdelbach Ua Conchobair, whose sons dropped the use of O’Conor and took the surname MacManus, meaning son of Magnus.

So, these Kilronan McManuses are, according to the records, effectively O’Conors.

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