Muireadhach mac Samhradháin, was the first person to bear the surname McGovern and was chief of the McGovern Clan and Baron or Lord of Tullyhaw barony, County Cavan from c.1115 - 1148.
His ancestry was Samhradhán mac Conchobhar mac Fearghal mac Flann mac Aonghus mac Conchobhar mac Tadhg Tir mac Ruarc mac Íomhaor mac Cosgrach mac Dúnghal mac Oireachtach mac Eochaidh (Teallach n-Eachach or Tullyhaw is named after the latter).[1]
Poem 2, stanza 8, by Giolla Pádraig mac Naimhin, written c.1290-1298, in the Book of Magauran describes Muireadhach as stern-faced Muireadhach who sent his warriors patrolling each ford.[2]
Muireadhach was probably born in Moneensauran townland, Glangevlin, County Cavan, where his father Samhradhán lived. There are three medieval ringforts in the townland, one of which was probably his residence.[3] It is thus the cradle of the McGovern clan, where the first McGovern was born.
His son was Giolla na Naomh mac Muireadhach Mág Samhradháin, head of the lineage from c.1160-1200