Surname MacKgan - Meaning and Origin
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MacKgan: What does the surname MacKgan mean?
The surname MacKgan is an Irish-Gaelic surname, originally derived from the Irish name "Mac Caughlin". It is a patronymic name which means "son of Caughlin".
Mac Caughlin was a personal name of some importance in medieval Ireland. It was often taken from the Gaelic word "ceallach", which translates to "warlike" or "bellicose". As such, the surname is likely derived from a family who had a fierce reputation or who had been victorious in battle.
The name is found not only in Ireland – where it is still in use today – but also in small pockets throughout Scotland, England and Wales. The majority of modern-day Mackgans descended from three families living around the Attymass Parish in County Mayo during the 16th century.
Mackgans among today's population may refer to themselves as a sept (branch) of the Clan MacGilligan and display its symbol, an arm in armour equipped with a sword. Each generation of the Mackgan family has shown itself to be resourceful, resilient and daring, often staying true to their original surname and Gaelic heritage.
The Mackgan surname, with all its history of warlike origins, is a testament to the strength and courage of the family throughout the centuries.
Order DNA origin analysisMacKgan: Where does the name MacKgan come from?
The last name MacKgan is commonly found in the United States, Canada, and Great Britain. In the United States, there has been an influx of MacKgan immigrants from Poland, Ireland, and England over the past century. Additionally, many branches of the family have since dispersed to other parts of the world from these points of origin. Today, the MacKgan name can be found throughout numerous parts of the United States, particularly in the Atlantic and Midwest regions, as well as a few pockets on the East and West Coasts. In Canada, the MacKgans are mainly concentrated in the central and eastern provinces, specifically Ontario and Quebec. In Great Britain, the MacKgan surname is represented mostly in Scotland and Ireland.
Generally, many individuals with the MacKgan last name can trace their roots to a particular region in the British Isles. Despite this, the MacKgan name has been spread to numerous populations throughout the world, suggesting a global level of connectivity between people of different cultures and backgrounds. Today, the MacKgan name continues to be a popular choice among many families of both the United States and abroad.
Variations of the surname MacKgan
The surname MacKgan is derived from the Gaelic word Mac Thighearnaigh which translates as ‘son of the lord’. It is one of the many surnames derived from the pre-11th century language of the old Irish.
The variant spellings of MacKgan include MacKane, MacKean, MacKeen and MacKeene. The Gaelic spellings are Mhic Thighearnaigh and Mhac Thighearnaigh.
Surnames of the same origin include MacKenzie, McCoy, McKee, MacKinnon, MacEwen, McKinnon, MacGillivray, MacKintosh, MacKerlie, MacDonald, MacLaine, MacKay, and MacNeil.
MacKgan is the anglicised version of Mhic Thighearnaigh and is one of the older Mac surnames in Ireland. In its original form it was most likely spelled as Mhic Thighearnaigh, but over time the name was adapted and the spelling changed.
In ancient times, the MacKgan family were a clan that resided in the Argyll and Bute region of northwest Scotland, and this is possibly where the MacKgans may have originated. The family eventually migrated to northern Ireland along with many other Irish clans.
As the MacKgan surname traveled the world, variations in spelling gradually evolved. The original Gaelic language and spellings have been replaced by English translations and spellings in many cases.
The variant spellings of MacKgan may be found in countries such as Scotland, Ireland, United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Despite their variations in spelling, the MacKgan surname is still an indicator of a shared root.
Famous people with the name MacKgan
- Islay MacKgan: professional boxer
- Mark MacKgan: former professional football player
- Leona MacKgan: Olympic silver medalist in artistic gymnastics
- Callum MacKgan: Hollywood actor, most known for his role in the movie “47 Meters Down
- Tom MacKgan: professional Bass guitarist
- Rory MacKgan: professional PGA golfer
- Oliver MacKgan: Emmy nominated composer for television and film
- Kelsea MacKgan: Country singer and songwriter
- Margo MacKgan: Classical pianist and singer
- Alaina MacKgan: Broadway actress and singer