On the other hand my surname, O'Mahony, pronounced o-MA-huh-nee in Ireland, is an Irish corruption of the English form (o-ma-HOE-nee) of a Gaelic name (ó Mahúna, O-ma-HOO-na).

O the joys of being culturally re-interpreted...

"Neil" is usually interpreted as meaning "leader", and also appears as a surname, O'Neill, O'Neil, Neill, o Néill, etc., mostly associated with the northern Irish province of Ulster. It means "descendents of Niall", the original Niall being the 3rd century chieftain Niall of the Nine Hostages.

So, my personal name relates to an important surname. Meantime, my surname, O'Mahony,  traces its origin from a personal name, as do many Irish surnames. Mahon (Mathghumhain) was the name of an 11th century prince who ruled over tribal lands in southern-eastern Ireland. The name is an obsolete literary word to which the meaning "bear" is ascribed (I've never seen it in a dictionary). I speculate it is a nickname gained in battle (a nom de guerre, you could say, clearing your throat). Mahon was the right hand man (and son in law) of Brian Boramha (Brian Boru). From the lower reaches of the Shannon river, together they launched a campaign of war that ended Viking dominance in Ireland. In the process Boru became High King, the only undisputed one in Ireland's history, converting him into a kind of nationalist hero. He was assassinated after a battle (always good for one's reputation) in the year 1014. Mahon was granted lands in the northern midlands of Ireland, and in what is now west Cork. The former gave rise to the McMahon sept, and the latter to the O'Mahonys, (also spelt O'Mahoney) whose lands in more recent times became confined to the rugged Iveagh peninsula in west Cork.

Conclusion: my name and surname link northern and southern Irish historical figures (heroes, if you're a nationalist). Probably something not intended by my parents. But that's another story...

 see a photo of this Irish dude in his natural environment
(well, what are personal webpages for...?)