The surname McGovern (Irish: Mág Samhradháin), is of Irish origin and is found predominantly in the counties of Cavan (among the fifteen most common names), Fermanagh and Leitrim.

The Irish name is Mag Samhradháin, meaning the Son of Samhradhán, and the clan or sept takes its name from one Samhradhán who lived c. 1100 AD descended from 7th-century Eochaidh, a descendant of Brión mac Echach Muigmedóin.

Eochaidh gave his name to Teallach Eochaid, modern day Tullyhaw in Cavan.

The Samhradháin part (which may be attached to or detached from the Mag part and all its variations) can be found (the G being capitalised or not) as Samradhan, Shamhradhan, Shamhraghan, Shamradhan, Goveran, Govern, Govran, Gawran, Gawrain, Gawrene, Gawryne, Gauran, Gaurin, Gaurn, Gaurien, Gaurayn, Gaveran, Gaheran, Gahran, Gowran, Gouran, Gurn, Gurren, Guran, Guarayn.

The following is a provisional list of the chiefs of the McGovern Clan, Barons or Lords of Tullyhaw.