Surname Keigan - Meaning and Origin
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Keigan: What does the surname Keigan mean?
The last name Keigan is believed to be of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic name Mac Aodhagáin. The name Mac Aodhagáin translates to "son of Aodh," with "Aodh" being a personal name meaning "fire" and commonly referring to the pagan god of the underworld. Over time, Mac Aodhagáin evolved into Egan, Keegan, and variants like Keigan. Therefore, the last name Keigan essentially signifies descent from a person named Aodh, inferring attributes associated with fire, passion, and possibly the underworld. However, individual interpretations can vary. It's important to remember that surnames' meanings can become obscure or change over centuries, and they often bear less personal relevance today than in the past.
Order DNA origin analysisKeigan: Where does the name Keigan come from?
The surname Keigan is of Irish origin. It evolved from the Gaelic name Mac Aodhagáin, which means 'son of Aodh' or 'son of Hugh'. The original bearer of this surname was likely a descendant or follower of a man named Aodh.
While the surname can be found around the world today due to migration and the dispersion of the Irish diaspora, it is particularly common in countries with a significant Irish influence or history, such as the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Nonetheless, it remains relatively uncommon.
In Ireland itself, the surname retains its presence especially in the region of the original Gaelic sept of the family, which is noted to have been in County Tipperary. Due to the various anglicized spellings over centuries, such as Egan, Keegan, and Keigan, the exact distribution of the surname in modern times can be somewhat challenging to trace. However, it is safe to say that this surname resonates with an Irish identity wherever it is found.
Variations of the surname Keigan
The surname Keigan may have potential spelling variants and interpretations, although it is relatively unique. Variations could include Kegan, Keagan, Kiegan, Keegin, Keagen, and Cegan. The prefixes "Mc" or "O'" may be added to these variants as in McKeigan or O'Keigan, following the tradition of Irish and Scottish surnames.
Additionally, it's essential to consider phonetic variants, particularly from non-English speaking countries. So, foreign sounding expressions of the surname may include Kigan, Kygan, or even Cigan.
The surname Keigan can be linked to the Irish Gaelic name "Egan," which is an Anglicized form of the Gaelic "Mac Aodhagáin," translated to "son of Aodhagán." Therefore, other surnames linked to the same Gaelic roots (Aodhagán or Egan) can also be considered variants. This includes the surnames Eagen, Egan, and Megon, among others.
It's worth mentioning that ensuring the correct variant requires genealogical research due to the extensive variety and possible evolution of surnames across different regions and generations.
Famous people with the name Keigan
- Alan Keigan: a professor of Law at The University of Aberdeen in Scotland.
- John Keigan: a professional soccer player from Scotland.
- Maeve Keigan: Irish model and Miss Ireland finalist.
- Mark Keigan: an actor and director from Ireland.
- Robert Keigan: a former professional ice hockey player from Canada.
- Elizabeth Keigan: a stage actress and model from Scotland.
- Charles Keigan: a British aviation historian and author.
- Tom Keigan: an Australian professional rugby league footballer.
- Brendan Keigan: a professional rugby union player from New Zealand.
- Michael Keigan: an Australian Paralympic swimmer.
- Nigel Keigan: an English film director and cinematographer.
- Dermott Keigan: an Irish Gaelic football player from Galway.
- James Keigan: a professional soccer player from Scotland.
- Donald Keigan: a Scottish footballer from the Glasgow School of Art.