M'Mahon as "abbreviation" for McMahon

Question

Have seen numerous examples of M'Mahon being used in place if McMahon, especially as headers for obituaries (eg. (1) (2) (3) (4) are all examples where M'Mahon & McMahon appear to be used interchangably) 

Am curious if this was simply generally accepted newspaper style (I guess the ' in M'Mahon can sort of look like a floating ^c in M^cMahon?) or if there is some other meaning/history behind this.

My google-fu is so far striking out.  Can anyone enlighten me on this subject?

Comments

In days gone by it was not common to write the Mc names as McCrea, but as M^cCrea.  Hence the use in newspapers of the M‛Crea.  (That's a set-high reverse 9 apostrophe (aka superscript "smart" mark).)

I had trouble finding my ancestors in news reports as a result.

It is NOT an abbreviation, but a typesetting.

edited to correct typo

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that's the difference b/t you and me, I've filled all my voids w/ useless information.   I can't say it enough MP is a WW!

Answer 1

Mac/Mc/M' are all interchangeable forms for the same meaning. I've seen all three used by the same person in the same document.  While they did get a typographical twist, I've seen M'Callum on a solicitor's sign in Inverness so it isn't just typography.  I've also seen the M' form in Kirk Session Papers.

Comments

I've also had the same alternate spellings of McMahon in my NZ family, including M'Mahon in official documents, a definite pain in searchs.