Surname MacKeegan - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'M'
MacKeegan: What does the surname MacKeegan mean?
The last name MacKeegan is of Irish origin, specifically derived from the Gaelic language. The name is a combination of the prefix 'Mac', meaning 'son of', and 'Keegan', a personalized given name. As a whole, MacKeegan could be understood to mean 'son of Keegan'. The name Keegan itself is derived from the Irish name 'Mac Aodhagáin', where 'Aodh' means 'fire', symbolizing brightness or sorrow. Therefore, MacKeegan could indirectly be translated as 'son of the bright or sorrowful one'. It's important to note that not every surname has a specific, widely accepted meaning as these names are often influenced by multitude of convening factors including profession, geographical location, personal characteristics, or significant events. Personal names often evolve over centuries, changing in spelling and pronunciation, hence it may be difficult to ascertain a singular or definitive meaning.
Order DNA origin analysisMacKeegan: Where does the name MacKeegan come from?
The last name MacKeegan is of Irish origin. The surname is derived from the Gaelic Mac Eochagáin and O’Eochagáin, translating to ‘son of Eochagán,’ a personal name meaning 'young horse.' MacKeegan likely represents a regional variation, or the result of Anglicization, a process through which Gaelic names were converted into more easily pronounceable forms for English-speakers.
Like many Irish surnames, MacKeegan’s origins can be traced back to a historical clan, correlating to a specific geographical region in Ireland. Specifically, the name MacKeegan is believed to have first emerged in County Mayo, in the western part of the country.
In terms of its distribution today, individuals bearing the MacKeegan surname can be found in various parts of the world, due to the widespread diaspora of Irish people throughout history. It's still found in Ireland, but also in Britain, the United States, Canada, Australia, and other countries. However, despite its global presence, MacKeegan is not a common last name. It remains relatively rare, making it a unique aspect of one's identity.
Variations of the surname MacKeegan
The surname MacKeegan is of Irish origin. It was originally spelled as MacEgan in Gaelic. The prefix 'Mac' typically means 'son of', which suggests that the initial bearer of the surname was the 'son of Egan'. The variant spellings for this name could include MacEgan, MacKeagan, and MacKeagen, among others.
The surname has undergone various spelling changes over the years due to a multitude of reasons such as translation and pronunciation issues. This was common in a time when spelling wasn't standardized. Therefore, the same person's name could be spelled in different ways in various documents.
Other versions of the name which likely share the same origin include McKegan, Keegan, Egan, Kegan, and McEgan. The O'Egan, O'Keegan, and O'Kegan surnames are also related, 'O' meaning 'grandson of' or 'descendant of' in Irish names. Furthermore, it's important to understand that the presence or absence of a prefix such as 'Mac' or 'O' can vary, and the surname can appear with either a single or double 'g'.
It may also be useful to visit a professional genealogist or conduct personal research to trace the lineage of the MacKeegan and its variant surnames more accurately.
Famous people with the name MacKeegan
- Summer McKeegan: American stuntwoman and actress known for her stunt work on films such as Men in Black 3, Safe House, and Spider-Man: Homecoming
- Kathleen McKeegan: former professional golfer who was inducted into the Iowa Golf Hall of Fame
- Maureen McKeegan: Irish actor and activist, known for her role in the mini-series Strumpet City
- Jay McKeegan: American former professional ice hockey player
- Kaytlyn McKeegan: American basketball coach and former professional basketball player
- Rowen McKeegan: former Major League Baseball player
- John McKeegan: Irish actor and director, best known for his roles in TV series such as Taggart, and his films including Force 10 from Navarone
- Nick McKeegan: British contemporary figurative painter
- John Anthony McKeegan: American landscape painter
- Bridie McKeegan: Irish-Australian artist known for her abstract and landscape paintings