Surname MacCohan - Meaning and Origin

MacCohan: What does the surname MacCohan mean?

The surname MacCohan is an Irish surname derived from the Gaelic personal name Cogach, which means “warrior” or “hero.” It is predominately found in counties Westmeath, Galway, and Mayo in the province of Connacht. The name is also found in the Scotland Highlands. It is a variant of the name Mac Coughan, which can be found in some historical records from the 12th century.

The MacCohan family were part of the one of the very few remaining clans of stocking weavers in Ireland. In the 16th and 17th centuries, they were well-known as traders of several different fabrics, linen and woollens, and their products were a competitive presence in the local markets.

The MacCohan family also enjoyed a strong presence in the military. In the pre-Protestant reign of Elizabeth I, the MacCohan family was granted rights to their land and in 1672, the clan leader was recognized as a Captain of horse.

Historically, the MacCohan surname carries with it the legacy of a family of brave warriors and industrious entrepreneurs. With the fierce determination of its bearer, the MacCohan family is a living example of how a surname can be an integral factor in historic accomplishments.

MacCohan: Where does the name MacCohan come from?

The surname MacCohan is most commonly found in Ireland and Scotland. However, due to emigration by members of the clan, it can also be found in other parts of the world including North America and Australia.

In Ireland, the MacCohan surname is found mainly in the counties of Galway, Cavan, and Donegal. In Scotland, there is a concentration of the surname in the Highland region. It is possible that the name may have been anglicised when families emigrated to other countries, and this could make is difficult to trace the name's origin.

In North America, it is found mainly in the United States and Canada, particularly in the Northeastern part of the United States. In the United Kingdom, there is a concentration of the surname in Southern and Eastern areas, such as London and southeastern England. The towns of Belfast in Northern Ireland, and Glasgow in Scotland, are known to have a significant population of the MacCohan surname.

The website "Irish Origins" states that the origin of the MacCohan name derives from the Irish Mac Eochaidh (son of Eochaidh), an old Gaelic sept which has been found dispersed in mostly western counties. The site goes on to say that Mac Eochaidh may be a derivation of the ancient Norse-Gaelic name Ohon, which may mean "dove bird".

The MacCohans have a long and illustrious history linked with Irish and Scottish culture, and it is still a widely-used surname today.

Variations of the surname MacCohan

The surname MacCohan has several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. It is derived from the deep Gaelic roots of the surname Mac Eocháin.

Common variants of MacCohan include MacCahan, MacKeenan, MacKaineen, MacKeen, and MacEoghan. All of these versions are derived from the same Gaelic roots, which can be traced back to a valid Irish family of the same name.

MacEocháin is an Irish surname derived from the Gaelic personal name Eocha, which is an ancient statuary (sacred stone). The stone was situated in the northeast of Ireland and was believed to confer blessings upon the MacEocháin family. This is why the family adopted the surname.

Different spellings of MacEocháin can be found, depending on region and the time of record, including MacEocháinn, MacEocháinne, MacEóchan, MacEóchanne, MacEghan, and MacGehan, etc.

Also related to MacEocháin are surnames such as MacKechnie, MacKechna, MacKechnin, MacGheehan, MacKehena, MacEiden, and MacKeon.

Overall, MacCohan is a unique and ancient surname with many variations and spellings, all of which are related to its deep Gaelic roots. It is important to note that all of these surnames have the same origin, so if you are researching your family history, it is important to consider all of the variants listed.

Famous people with the name MacCohan

• Bruce MacCohan: Hollywood actor and producer
• Sean MacCohan: YouTube celebrity and video game streamer
• Andrew MacCohan: Former NFL player
• Ross MacCohan: Canadian businessman and entrepreneur
• Nigel MacCohan: British politician
• Aidan MacCohan: Ireland rugby team member
• John MacCohan: Oscar-nominated film score composer
• Patrick MacCohan: Psychotherapist and life coach
• Lorna MacCohan: English children’s book author
• Marianne MacCohan: Irish sculptor and photographer

Other surnames

MacCohen