Surname MacKaghan - Meaning and Origin
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MacKaghan: What does the surname MacKaghan mean?
The last name MacKaghan is of Irish origin and it is a variant of the surname MacCahan. This surname is a patronymic name derived from the personal name Cathan. The prefix 'Mac' in Irish surnames means 'son of', so MacKaghan can be interpreted as 'son of Cathan'. The personal name 'Cathan' comes from the Gaelic elements "cath" which means 'battle' and "an" a diminutive suffix. So, the name Cathan could roughly be translated to mean 'little warrior' or 'little fighter' in English. Therefore, the surname MacKaghan could carry the connotation of 'son of the little warrior'. Like most surnames, the exact meaning can vary based on family history and regional variations.
Order DNA origin analysisMacKaghan: Where does the name MacKaghan come from?
The surname MacKaghan is of Irish origin. The name is derived from the Gaelic "Mac Eacháin," which translates to "son of Eachán." Eachán is a personal name composed of the elements "each," meaning a horse, and "-án," a diminutive suffix. It can be translated as "little horse."
Like many Irish surnames, it was anglicized, resulting in several spelling variations such as Kehoe, McKeogh, and MacKeogh, among others. Hence, tracing its distribution can be quite challenging. The MacKaghan version is quite rare.
Today, due to the Irish Diaspora's historical events such as the Great Famine in the 19th century, Irish surnames are spread worldwide, particularly in English-speaking countries. These countries include the United States, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom. In Ireland itself, surnames of Gaelic origin like MacKaghan remain common. It's hard to pinpoint precisely where the MacKaghan name is most common today due to its rarity and variations in spelling.
Variations of the surname MacKaghan
The surname MacKaghan has a few different variants, spellings, and surnames of similar origin. This surname has Scottish and Irish heritage and is also related to the highlands of Scotland where the name was first created.
Variations can include surnames like McCaghan, McKhaghan, McKeagan, McKagan, McKegan, and MacKegan. Slightly similar-sounding surnames such as MacKeigan and McKaig might also be included. These variants may be due to the fusion of the Scots-Gaelic prefix 'Mac' (meaning 'son of') with different personal names, typically the father's first name.
Changes and different spellings of the surname could be due to immigration and translation over centuries. Each different spelling that appears over time and across regions can often represent a family's branch or group that has branched from the original MacKaghan family. These variations can also result from cultural adaptations and phonetic translations.
As with all surnames, it is possible there are other less known or less common variants not listed here. It is always best to trace your individual family history for the most accurate information.
Famous people with the name MacKaghan
- Siobhan MacKaghan: English documentary filmmaker and television presenter.
- Andrew Mackaghan: Australian politician and former army officer.
- Katherine Mackaghan: British-American actress.
- Mary MacKaghan: Scottish artist associated with the Colourists group.
- Roseanne Mackaghan: Irish actor, writer, and producer.
- Patrick MacKaghan: Canadian actor, singer, and musician.
- John MacKaghan: American actor who appeared in many television shows and films.
- David MacKaghan: English actor, comedian, and filmmaker.
- Peter MacKaghan: American singer-songwriter and music producer.
- Winston Mackaghan: Welsh-born Australian performer and comedian.
- Christopher MacKaghan: Irish actor, writer, and director.
- Katherine MacKaghan: Australian actress, singer, and songwriter.
- Hannah MacKaghan: Canadian-born film and television actress.
- Patrick MacKaghan: Australian actor, director, and producer.
- Tamsin MacKaghan: British actor, model, and artist.
- Herbert MacKaghan: Scottish comedian and presenter on the BBC.
- Gwen MacKaghan: Irish poet and writer.
- Marjorie MacKaghan: British fashion model, clothing designer, and businesswoman.
- Julia MacKaghan: English television host and radio presenter.
- Bryan MacKaghan: Scottish poet and novelist.