Surname Deighan - Meaning and Origin

Deighan: What does the surname Deighan mean?

The last name Deighan is an Irish and Scottish surname originating from the Gaelic form of the name "Ó Dubhagáin". It is an anglicised version of the original surname which translates as "descendant of Dubhagáin", with "Dubhagáin" being a personal name derived from a Gaelic word for "black/dark haired".

The Deighan surname is found in various parts of the world, including Ireland, Scotland, England and the United States. It is also occasionally found translated as Daggan.

In Irish history, the O’Dubhagáin Clan was one of the most powerful clans in the province of Connacht. Led by their chieftain MacFirbis, the clan dominated south Connacht during the 13th century and was among the most powerful and influential families of the 14th century. The Deighan family was unusual in keeping its form of the surname for centuries, while other families used anglicised variations.

In Scotland, the Deighan surname is found mainly in regions associated with the clan MacLellan, such as Ayr, Dumfriesshire and Wigtownshire. It is also believed that many of the Deighans found in Ireland may have immigrated there from these areas in Scotland.

Today, there are many bearers of the name Deighan throughout the world. This surname has also been celebrated in literature, as many famous works of literature, such as Edmund Spenser's "The Faerie Queene," feature characters with the surname Deighan.

Deighan: Where does the name Deighan come from?

The last name Deighan is most commonly found in counties in Ireland and the UK. It is an anglicized version of the Irish surname Ó Deaghaín, which originated in County Mayo. It is also found in the United States, particularly in the Midwest and West. In the US, it is more frequently spelled Deighan.

Analysis of the US Social Security Administration’s name database as of 2019 shows that the surname is distributed across the states, with larger percentages found in West Virginia, Arkansas, Missouri, Pennsylvania, and Delaware. In more recent years, the surname has become more common on the East Coast, particularly in New York and New Jersey.

The Irish Deighan family name in Ireland is divided into two branches – the most dominant of which is O’Dea and the other is McKay. It is believed that the two families are connected through marriage and share a common ancestor.

In an analysis of historical records, Deighan was most common in the counties of Mayo, Cavan, Longford, Derry, and Galway. The name is not particularly common in the rest of Ireland and the UK, likely because of migration in search of better job and living conditions in the US.

In the US, Deighan has been adopted by people of Irish, English, and Welsh ancestry. It is also found in Australia, where it was brought by Irish immigrants in the 19th century.

Variations of the surname Deighan

The surname Deighan is of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic surname O'Deighan. This surname is also commonly spelled Deegan, O'Deegan, O'Deagan, Deagan, as well as Dygan and Dayshaun.

In the Irish language, the name is Ó Docháin. It is an anglicized form of the ancient Irish first name "Dochán" or “Dochú” which means “harmless” or “blameless”. It was passed down through generations as both a given name and a surname.

The spelling "O'Deegan" is likely a variant of the original spelling of "O'Deighan". This variant is mostly used in the Irish counties of Cork, Kerry, Clare, Waterford and Limerick. This spelling could also be an Anglicised form of the Irish-Gaelic "Ó Dubhagáin," meaning "descendant of Dubhagan," an ancient Gaelic personal name.

The variant "Deagan" is a variation in the spelling of the name. It is a result of the various ways in which surnames were anglicised and changed during the 19th and 20th century.

The surname "Dygan" is another variant which may have arisen as a result of a misinterpretation of the original spelling or an incorrect transcription of the original name. The variant "Dayshaun" could have been an attempt to make the name more 'Americanized' or 'modernized.'

Regardless of the spelling variations, the surname Deighan is an ancient Irish name that was derived from the men of old who shared the same first name.

Famous people with the name Deighan

• Ryan Deighan: Irish professional footballer
• Stephen Deighan: U.S. Army veteran
• Michael J. Deighan: former Deputy Inspector General of New York State
• JohnIE Deighan: Scottish footballer
• Martin Deighan: English cricketer
• Paddy Deighan: American uniformed officer
• Jamie Deighan: Midfielder for Scottish football club
• Tom Deighan: Irish goalkeeper
• Patrick Deighan: former deputy director of EPA's Risk Management Program
• Josh Deighan: Actor, filmmaker, voice actor, and musician
• Kevin Deighan: British Royal Air Force Officer
• Kayleigh Deighan: Australian professional model

Other surnames

Deighton