Surname Danagher - Meaning and Origin
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Danagher: What does the surname Danagher mean?
The surname Danagher is of Irish origin and is a derivative of the Gaelic name O’Dainncair. This name was first found in County Galway, in the west of Ireland. Historically, the ancient septs in Ireland took their name from a chief who held the position of a “tonn-cara”or “dencara” in old Irish, meaning “ship-champion” or “ship-keeper”. As such, the Danagher name is derived from an occupation – these families were responsible for the protection of the ships sailing through the region.
The Danagher sept can be found throughout Ireland today, although they are most prevalent in Ulster (Northern Ireland). The Danagher name is represented in Irish Clans and Families, where it is defined as “descendants of Dáin Cair”. During the 19th century, Reaney and Wilson declared that the name was derived from “the Irish den cair, the Irish for courage, or the hero”.
The Danaghers have a rich history in County Galway. Members of the sept were considered “literate lords”, owning considerable land estates and playing important roles in the local government and judiciary of the region. Danaghers were also owners of substantial fleets of ships and barges, which plied the waters of Galway Bay between the harbours of Galway and Lough Corrib. During World War II, one member of the Danagher sept, William Danagher, a captain in the Irish Army, achieved the prestigious Distinguished Service Order award for his bravery and tenacity in the Battle of Dunkirk.
Today, the Danagher name is one steeped in tradition, honour and courage, and its descendants continue to make their mark in fields including business, politics, the military and the arts.
Order DNA origin analysisDanagher: Where does the name Danagher come from?
The last name Danagher is found primarily in Ireland today, where there is a sizable Irish population descended from the original Danagher families.
The earliest records of the Danagher family originated in County Mayo, located on the western coast of Ireland. In 1768, the family name was recorded in the anglicized form "Dangan." From there it spread and eventually took root in other parts of Ireland, such as Dublin, Galway, and Cork.
In recent years, the Danagher surname has also spread to other parts of the world, particularly amongst the Irish diaspora. Large numbers of Irish people, including those descended from Danaghers, have emigrated to countries such as the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
In the US, records show that the Danagher surname is most concentrated in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Illinois, and California. However, it can be found all over the country in small pockets, with some even present in parts of Latin America.
In all, the last name Danagher can be found today in countries across the globe, testament to the impressive diaspora of an Irish family that started centuries ago on the western coast of Ireland.
Variations of the surname Danagher
The surname Danagher is an Anglicized version of the surname Ó Danagáin, an Irish surname of Gaelic origins. The name is composed of the Gaelic elements “dan” meaning “knowledge”, and “gar” meaning “boy” or “man”. Variations of the surname include Dannagher, Danniger, Donagher, Donaghe, Donaghey, Donaghy, Donnager, Doniger, Dowaghe, Dungar, and Dungarney.
The various permutations of Ó Danagáin stem from the Irish spelling variations, including Ó Danagáin, Ó Danghaile, Ó Donnghaile, Ó Donnghaill, Ó Donnghuile, Ó Doinngheal, Ó Donngala, Ó Donnguill, Ó Donnghail, Ó Dhongalaigh, Ó Donngaidh, Ó Danghaigh, as well as other variations.
In addition, the surname is also known to have various spellings and be used within a variety of countries, primarily within Ireland. Common spellings are Donaghy, Donaghey, Donaghay, Donah, Donahue, Donaghue, Donahoe, Donehue, Donohoe, Donoghue, Donahy, and Donogho.
The surname is also known to have multiple variations stemming from Irish spelling, which are Donagher, Donnager, Donigar, Donnigar, Donor, Donner, Donaghur and Donghur.
The surname is commonly found in counties throughout Ireland, notably Tipperary, Dublin, Galway, Cork, and Kilkenny, in addition to countries elsewhere, such as England, Scotland, Canada, and the United States.
Other surnames of similar Gaelic origins and phonetic spelling include McGongail and McDonahue.
Famous people with the name Danagher
- Mark Danagher: American business executive and co-founder of Golden Gate Capital.
- Lana Danagher: Irish politician and former member of the Seanad.
- Curt Danagher: American former professional basketball player.
- Dave Danagher: former New Zealand cricketer.
- Jack Danagher: American former professional footballer.
- Steve Danagher: Australian former politician.
- Graham Danagher: former English cricketer.
- Stan Danagher: American actor, producer, and writer.
- Peter Danagher: current president and CEO of Tabula Rasa HealthCare.
- Larry Danagher: American musician, songwriter and producer.