Magherastephana

The barony of Magherastephana is first recorded in 1520 in the Annals of the Four Masters, as Machaire Stefanach, and in Annals of Ulster in 1530 as (an) Machaire Steabhanach. The origins of the name however are unknown. Irish scholar John O'Donovan alleged that it was named after a Steafán (Stephen) who was the son of Odhar, the progenitor of the Maguires, and a figure from the 10th century. The problem however is that the name Stephen didn't arrive into Ireland until the 12th century when the Normans brought it in with them, and in which case came in the form of Estievne, which became Gaelicised as Stiabhna, Sdíomnha, Stiana, Steimhín and Sleimhne. The modern Irish forms of Steafán and…