McDonough is an Irish surname. Origins and variants The surname is an Anglicized form of the Gaelic name "Mac Donnchadha", which means son of Donnchadh or son of Donough. The name itself consists of elements meaning "brown (donn)" or Donn “the dark one”, plus "battle (chatha)". Originally, two separate clans existed in Ireland, the first in Connacht, and these MacDonnchadha's were a branch of the MacDermots, the 8th Century Kings of Connacht. The second clan in Munster, whose chiefs held the Castle of Kanturk in County Cork, and who were known as the bards of Duhallow, were a branch of the MacCarthys going by McDonough. The name is now rare in Cork, with some of the original name holders, it is believed, changing their name to MacCarthy, although some with the original name still remain in Munster. One explanation for the many spelling variations is that scribes and church officials frequently spelled the name as it sounded: an imprecise method at best. Understandably then, various spellings of the surname McDonough were found in the many archives researched including MacDonough, McDonogh, and many more. Notable people with the surname Adam McDonough (born 1985), American mixed martial artist Aidan McDonough (born 1999), American ice hockey player Al McDonough, Canadian ice hockey player Alexa McDonough, Canadian politician Ann M. McDonough (1915-1995), member of the Military Intelligence Hall of Fame Ann Patrice McDonough, American figure skater Arthur Edward McDonogh, (c. 1810 – 1852), New Zealand policeman, police magistrate, militia officer and roading supervisor. Brendan McDonough, American soccer player Blair McDonough, Australian actor Bob McDonogh, American racecar driver Brian McDonough, American physician and writer Bridget McDonough, American businesswoman David McDonough, New York Assemblyman Darron McDonough, English footballer Declan McDonogh, Irish jockey who competes in Flat racing Denis McDonough, US Secretary of Veterans Affairs under President Joe Biden; White House Chief of Staff, Deputy National Security Advisor and National Security Council Chief of Staff under President Barack Obama. Eileen McDonough (1962–2012), American child actress Elizabeth MacDonough, Parliamentarian of the United States Senate Frank McDonough, British historian of 20th-century Germany Fred McDonogh, Irish politician Gabe McDonough, Canadian record producer who is the vice president music director at Leo Burnett USA George Macdonogh, British Army general officer. Giles MacDonogh (born 1955), British writer, historian and translator Glen MacDonough (1870–1924), US American writer, lyricist and librettist Gordon L. McDonough, U.S. Representative from California Guy McDonough, Australian rock musician Harry