Surname MacGahen - Meaning and Origin
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MacGahen: What does the surname MacGahen mean?
The last name MacGahen is an Anglicised form of the Gaelic surname MacEachain, which is derived from the important Irish clan of O'Eachain or O'Hechain. The surname is composed of two elements – Mac, which means "son of", and Eachain, which is derived from the old Gaelic áedchán, meaning "horseman". Historically, the MacGahens were members of the Chandos-MacEachains, an influential clan of the Irish nobility, and the Clan lived primarily in the Midlands in central Ireland. They were renowned for their horsemanship and prowess in battle, which made them very successful in their own right.
The MacGahens were also known as galloglasses (mercenary warriors), and they provided a valuable service to many of the Irish Chiefs in the Middle Ages. The Clan's loyalty and bravery earned them great respect throughout the region, and some MacGahens even rose to positions of power, becoming local rulers or Chiefs themselves.
The MacGahens were also distinct from other clans due to their unique dress; the men wore a knee-length tunic, over which they wore a distinctive red flannel shirt. This tradition is still observed today by many Irish families of the MacGahen name, although in more subtle ways.
Despite their long and proud history, the Clan MacGahen is now largely forgotten. Records of their existence are few and far between, making them an intriguing and mysterious part of Irish history.
Order DNA origin analysisMacGahen: Where does the name MacGahen come from?
The last name MacGahen is most commonly found in Ireland today. This surname is of Irish origin, first being found in County Clare and then spreading to the surrounding areas of County Limerick and County Waterford. descendants of the original MacGahen clan can still be found living in theses locations to this day.
The Gaelic form of this surname is MacAodhagain, derived from the Gaelic word "Aodh" meaning "fire". The surname likely originated as a name referring to a person with a fiery personality or temperament. It is also thought to be associated with the MacAodhagain sept which was located near Ennis in County Clare during the 16th century.
The MacGahens were located near the Shannon river and had their own local Inn. They were also known for independence and courage, and were respected warriors in their local area.
The last name MacGahen is not exclusive to Ireland however, and can also be found in the United States, Canada, Australia, and other countries around the world. The largest numbers of this surname outside of Ireland are found in the United States, followed by Canada and Australia.
Variations of the surname MacGahen
The surname MacGahen is derived from the Gaelic Mac Eachain, which is comprised of two bonus elements, Mac meaning ‘son’ and Eachain meaning ‘horseman’ or ‘horse Lord’. Over time, this name has evolved into many variants, spellings and surnames all of similar origin.
The most commonly used variants and spellings are MacGahern, MacGeoch, MacGhagh, MacGeoghegan, MacGeoghans, MacGahagan and MacGaughan. These variants are more commonly seen in the Irish and Scottish regions.
The most widely used surnames derived from MacGahen include Geoghegan, Gaughan, Gahagan, Ghagh, Geogheghean, Geoch, and MacGahee. These names are more commonly seen in Northern Ireland and Greater Scotland.
In addition, the name MacGeoch has further branched into various other surnames which include MacCoch, MacCaugh, MacCaughan, MacKoch, Magocch and Magogch.
Other less common surnames derived from MacGahen include MacKaheen, MacLove, Maguire, Mavourneen, MacCaugrad, MacCag, Magerty, Makety, MacCowen and MacCorrison.
To sum up, the surname MacGahen has evolved over time and has resulted in many variants, spellings, and surnames of similar origin. These surnames all boast the same meaning behind them, making them of similar origin.
Famous people with the name MacGahen
- Glenn MacGahen: a Canadian country music singer-songwriter
- Scott MacGahen: a former coach in Major League Baseball
- James MacGahen: a professional Canadian football player
- Walter MacGahen: an American novelist
- William MacGahen: a British academic
- Mark MacGahen: an attorney and legal analyst
- Mary MacGahen: a Canadian politician
- Lou MacGahen: a Scottish former professional footballer
- Thomas MacGahen: a Scottish physician
- Catherine MacGahen: a Canadian screen and television actress