First found in county Clare, Mac Crábháin – son of Crábháin (religious) is an old surname also found in county’s Louth and Monaghan. There are two distinct septs that make up the family McGrath.
The first sept is that from county Clare, who migrated south to county Waterford circa 1400 and who were the hereditary poets to the O’Briens, Kings of all Ireland. The second sept was from county Donegal, where they were claimants to the ancient monestary lands in the area.
The first recorded spelling of the family name is that of John McGraith, which is dated circa 1391, author of “Caithreim Toirdhealbhaigh” or “Triumph To Turlough” a historical account that depicts the wars between the Irish Ui O’Briain and the Anglo-Norman de Clares.