Surname Dargan - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'D'
Dargan: What does the surname Dargan mean?
The last name Dargan is of Irish origin and is an anglicised version of the Gaelic O'Deargain or MacDeargain. It is derived from the ancient Celtic words "deargán", which translates to "kite". This suggests that the earliest bearers of the name were likely people who lived in close proximity to a marsh or wetland, which could have been a kite's habitat.
The surname Dargan is most commonly associated with counties in the province of Munster in the south of Ireland, especially Cork and Kerry. It was consistently popular in these areas, and in particular, its frequency increased in the 19th century.
The Dargan name is sometimes confused with the surnames Dorgan and Dorigen. The Dorgan name is also believed to derive from Irish Gaeilge, and is thought to be a surname of Norman origin. The Dorgan spelling is typically found in counties in the province of Leinster in the east of Ireland.
The Dorigen surname is of French origin, derived from the name De Orges. This French name was believed to have been brought to Ireland by settlers who arrived in the 12th century.
Regardless of the origin of the surname, the Dargan name is believed to have been in Ireland since antiquity and has since been an important part of Irish history. It is a reminder of the complex history of the Irish people.
Order DNA origin analysisDargan: Where does the name Dargan come from?
The last name Dargan is a surname originating in Ireland and is particularly common among Irish Americans today. The name is derived from the Irish Ó Deargáin, which means “son of the red one”. Although Dargan has its roots in Ireland, the name gained popularity in America during the 19th century, when a wave of immigrants left Ireland after the potato famine.
Today, the surname Dargan can be found in many parts of the United States, particularly in states with a high Irish-American population. Texas is home to a large concentration of people with the last name Dargan, while Massachusetts and New Jersey also have notable Dargan populations.
Due to the association with Irish immigrants, Dargan is commonly associated with the Catholic faith. Furthermore, the last name is also quite common among African Americans. Given the history of racial discrimination against black immigrants, particularly in the United States, it is likely that the surname was adopted when an individual wanted to “pass” as an Irish or other white person in order to avoid persecution.
Outside of the United States, the last name Dargan can also be found in Australia and Canada. Overall, the name is still a popular surname today, especially in the United States.
Variations of the surname Dargan
The surname Dargan originates from the Irish language and is derived from the word ‘Dorchán’ which means ‘dark’. This surname has had several spelling variations since it first emerged, including Dergan, Dirgan, Dorgan, Dargin, and Dargan. Variants of the surname include Dergane, Dergann, Dergeen, Dirgane, Dirgann, Dirgeen, Dorgane, Dorgann, Dorgeen, Dargine, Darginn, Darginne, Darginee, Dargineen, and Dargyne.
Another prominent source of variants of the surname can be found within the Ulster Irish dialect, where it emerged as a patronymic surname, derived from the Gaelic phrase ‘mac an dorcháin’ which translates to ‘son of darkness’. Modern variants of this form of the surname include MacAndorcan, MacAnaird, MacAndorsan, MacAngorsen, MacDergan, and MacDorgan among others.
There is also a Scottish origin to the surname, where it is a habitational surname derived from the place ‘Dargen’ near Aberlady in East Lothian. Variants from this origin include Dargin and Dargen, which has been documented as early as 1296 when William de Dargen is recorded in East Lothian.
In conclusion, the surname Dargan is authorised to have several variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. Variants of the surname have evolved over the centuries, from both Irish and Scottish origins, producing multiple spellings and surnames of the same origin.
Famous people with the name Dargan
- Eduardo Dargan: a Brazilian handball player who is known for scoring the game-winning goal in the 2018-2019 Champions League Final.
- Denny Dargan: a former American professional boxer who competed from 1929 to 1941, winning the New York State middleweight title in 1934.
- Courtney Dargan: an American actress who starred in the TV series "The Mayor" and "The Good Doctor".
- Reuben Dargan: an American singer-songwriter known for his eclectic mix of R&B, soul and funk influenced music.
- Thomas Dargan: a Massachusetts politician who served as the 18th Mayor of Boston from 1846 to 1848.
- Matthew Dargan: an Irish-American stage actor who rose to fame in the late 19th century.
- John Dargan: an Irish theatre and vocal music composer, who composed popular Irish ballads from the 1800s onward.
- Michael Dargan: an American professional kickboxer and MMA fighter who competed in Strikeforce, Bellator and King of the Cage promotions.
- Paul Dargan: an Irish film producer who is best known for producing "The Wind That Shakes the Barley" and "Michael Collins".
- Steven Dargan: an Australian theatre director and actor who has worked for numerous television and theatre companies in Australia.