Surname MacGaughane - Meaning and Origin

MacGaughane: What does the surname MacGaughane mean?

The surname MacGaughane is of Irish origin. It is derived from the Gaelic personal name "Eachdonn," which translates to steed or horse (each) and brown or dun (donn). The prefix Mac means "son of." Therefore, MacGaughane might perhaps mean "Son of the horse lord" or "Son of the dun horse." Such names were often bestowed based on distinctive physical traits or significant life events. Over the centuries, due to the lack of standardized spelling and language evolution, the name has been represented in various forms such as MacEgan, Egan, MacEgan, Eagan, Eagen, Egan, Eggen, Eakin, and many others. Like many surnames that originate from family or clan structures, they often signify certain aspects of familial heritage, profession, or status. Please note that the interpretation of the meaning may vary and the above is one of the possible interpretations.

MacGaughane: Where does the name MacGaughane come from?

The surname MacGaughane is of Irish origin. It's derived from the Gaelic name Mag Eacháin meaning "son of Eachán". Eachán is a personal Irish name derived from "each" meaning "a horse". This name has been Anglicized to various forms such as MacEachen, MacGeoghagan, Geoghegan, and Gaughan, including MacGaughane.

The surname is not very common today, even in Ireland, due to its unique and ancient roots. Most families with this surname have either anglicized the name or it has been changed over generations due to varied pronunciation or spelling. Today, tracing the surname can be challenging due to its rarity, but it can sporadically be found amongst families of Irish descent in the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, and Australia, among others. As with most Irish surnames, it is likely to be found in greater concentrations in areas that saw substantial Irish immigration in the 19th and 20th centuries.

Variations of the surname MacGaughane

The surname MacGaughane is of Gaelic origin and there are numerous variations on the spelling due to the different ways Gaelic names have been Anglicized over the years. Variants include McGaughan, McGaughen, McGahan, McGaugh, MacGahan, MacGaugh, MacGaughey, McGeough, McGeogh, and MacGough.

Additionally, the 'Mac' prefix may be replaced with 'Mc', and the 'G' may also be replaced with a 'C'. Hence, variants like McCaughane, McGeoughan, and McCaughan may also be valid.

This surname could also be spelt as Magaughan, Magahon, MacGaughin, or McGeoughin, depending upon the local dialect and pronunciation.

Furthermore, it may sometimes be simplified to Gaughan or Gahan in some parts, especially outside Ireland where Irish names were often misunderstood, misspelled, or simplified.

In terms of surnames of the same origin, other Irish surnames starting with 'Mac' or 'Mc' (meaning 'son of') and containing the 'Gah' or 'Gau' root might be considered to have a similar origin, though they may not be strictly the same family name. These could include names like MacGahan, MacGavin or McGaughey.

Famous people with the name MacGaughane

• Jack MacGaughan: Influential British television director and producer, known for his work on shows such as Doctor Who, Top Gear, and Ashes to Ashes.
• Kenneth MacGaughan: Revolutionary Irish Republican who was a founder member of Sinn Féin and participated in both the 1916 Easter Rising and the 1919–21 War of Independence.
• John J. MacGaughan: American politician and a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives from Connecticut's 4th congressional district from 1951 to 1957.
• Seumas MacGaughan: Scottish footballeer who competed in the 1948 Summer Olympics as part of the Great Britain XIII and played professionally for Motherwell.
• David MacGaughan: Scottish professional golfer who won the 1927 Amateur Championship and competed in both the Ryder Cup and World Cup of golf.
• Alastair MacGaughan: Former British civil servant and political advisor to former Prime Minister Tony Blair.
• Rob MacGaughan: Canadian hockey player who competed in the 1984 Winter Olympics for the Canada national team
• Leithen MacGaughan: American actor and producer known for his roles in Park Benches, Bill Huckabee: American Dream, and Night Owls.
• John MacGaughan: American business executive who served as senior vice president at Ask.com, COO at Lyris, and CEO at Cloverleaf Networks, Inc.
• Anna MacGaughan: British pyschotherapist who served as docent and Senior Lecturer at the Tavistock Institute of Medical Psychology and Chairman of the Association of Child Psychotherapists.

Other surnames

MacGaughan