From Mac Conmara, ‘son of the hound of the sea’ — hereditary marshals to the kings of Thomond.
The Mcnamara certificate.
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Gaelic Origin · Root meaning ‘son of the sea hound’
McNamara comes from Mac Conmara, built from cú (‘hound’, in the sense of ‘warrior’) and muir (‘sea’). The family rose as chiefs of Uí Chaisín in east Clare and served as hereditary marshals to the O'Brien kings of Thomond, commanding their forces and, by tradition, holding the right to inaugurate each new O'Brien king.
A name built for the sea that made itself on land — as the power behind another family's throne, for generations.
Irish form: Mac Conmara
