Surname Fagan - Meaning and Origin

Fagan: What does the surname Fagan mean?

Fagan is an Irish surname of Gaelic origin. It comes from the old Gaelic name “O’Faodhagain,” which is a diminutive of the word ‘faodhach’ meaning ‘raven’. Over time, the “O” prefix was frequently dropped, especially during the era of enforced Anglicization in Ireland, resulting in the surname Fagan. The raven historically has connotations of wisdom, cunning, and battle in Irish mythology, therefore, the name could imply these characteristics in its bearers. This surname is primarily associated with counties Dublin, Meath, and Cavan in Ireland. Variations of the surname include Fegan, Faggan, Fagin, and more. Its popularity can also be found across the Atlantic, following large-scale Irish immigration during the famine of the mid-19th century.

Fagan: Where does the name Fagan come from?

The last name Fagan is of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic "O Faodhagain." The name means "descendant of Faodhagan," with Faodhagan itself meaning "a little, harmful" or possibly "a little, unpleasant." However, another interpretation suggests that the name could be derived from "foggin," which means "clear" or "fair."

Fagan became anglicized when written records began to be kept in English, following the Norman invasion in Ireland. Along with many other Irish family names, it went through a process of "anglicization" for several centuries, resulting in a variety of different spellings. A few examples are Fagan, Faggan, Fegan, and Fagen.

Today, the surname Fagan is still pretty widespread in Ireland, particularly in the Leinster province, but can also be found in English-speaking countries worldwide due to the Irish diaspora. However, the surname is particularly common in the United States, Australia, Canada, and England. It is estimated that there are over 22,000 bearers of the surname Fagan living in the United States.

Variations of the surname Fagan

The surname Fagan originates from Ireland, derived from the Gaelic Ó Fágáin meaning "descendant of Fagán". The name Fagán signifies "little ardent one." Variants of the surname Fagan include Fegan, Fagen, Feagan, Feegan, Feighan, Fagen, Faggan and O'Fagan.

Like many surnames, different spellings emerged due to different dialects and regional accents. These alternate spellings often occurred when scribes wrote names phonetically, leading to inconsistencies over time.

In addition, anglicization of Irish names during the 17th and 18th centuries resulted in further variations. For example, Fagan could be anglicized as Fewhiggins, Figgens or Foggin.

Several surnames across cultures could have a similar root or meaning. For example, the Welsh name Vaughan, meaning ‘small’, could be a linguistic equivalent.

However, it's essential to mind that two families with the same or similar surnames might not necessarily share common ancestors due to multiple instances of name formations across different cultures and languages. Therefore, genealogical confirmation is always recommended.

Famous people with the name Fagan

• Francesco Fagan: An Italian architect known for his work in Rome during the late Renaissance period.
• Antonio Fagan: A former professional football player who played in the National Football League (NFL).
• Larry Fagan: An American pop-rock musician and former member of the band 'Nervous Eaters'.
• Myreon LeShun "Lucky" Fagan: An American professional boxer.
• Jaime Fagan: A retired football player from Ireland who played for clubs like Bohemians and Dublin City.
• Laura Fagan: An Australian Paralympic athlete, she is known for her performances in alpine skiing.
• Ron Fagan: An Australian former rugby league footballer who notably played for South Sydney Rabbitohs.
• Howie Fagan: An American former basketball coach who was the head coach of the University of California, Los Angeles.
• Garret Fagan: A noted historian who specialized in ancient Rome.
• Mike Fagan: An American professional bowler with five PBA Tour titles under his belt.
• Robert Fagan: An Irish painter, diplomat, and archaeologist in Italy.
• Prudence Fagan: A Jamaican actress who is best known for her performance in the movie 'One Love'.
• James O. Fagan: An Irish-American prominent labor activist.
• Guy Fagan: A British film editor known for his work on movies like 'The Wild Geese'.

Other surnames

Fagans