Surname McEoghain - Meaning and Origin

McEoghain: What does the surname McEoghain mean?

The last name McEoghain is a patronymic surname derived from the Gaelic personal name "Eoghain." It is one of the oldest Gaelic family names in Ireland, with variants such as MacEoghain and McEoghaine. This surname has long been associated with the ancient Irish kin group known as the Uí Néill, whose rule extended over much of Ireland during the early medieval period.

The root of the name, "Eoghain," is thought to come from the Gaelic eóghain, meaning "born of the yew (tree)," suggesting a link to the once widely revered yew tree, while the prefix "Mac" indicates a literal translation of "son of." As such, the surname McEoghain can be translated to "son of the yew tree."

The ancient Uí Néill group was once one of the most powerful clans in Ireland, and many variants of the McEoghain name flourished in Irish history. Today, the surname is still found in Ireland and other parts of the British Isles. Its global population long ago became well established, with branches of the family having dispersed as far as the United States, Canada and Australia.

Generally speaking, those with the name McEoghain are believed to be hardy, determined and ambitious, qualities shared by their illustrious ancestors of the Uí Néill clan. This noble and distinguished family continues to make its mark on global history and will no doubt continue to do so for many years to come.

McEoghain: Where does the name McEoghain come from?

The last name McEoghain (often spelled McKeogh or MacKeogh) is most commonly found in Ireland today. The surname is an anglicised version of the Gaelic name, MacEochaidh. The MacEochaidh clan was originally from Ulster, and the name’s ancestral roots can be traced back to the Uí Néill dynasty.

In terms of modern populations, the numbers of McEoghain’s are focused in the Ulster region, with more than half of those with the name located in counties Donegal, Monaghan and Tyrone. It is also relatively common in other parts of Ireland, with a population of roughly 2,500 spread across the island. In addition, concentrations of the name can also be found throughout Scotland and Wales, as well as in England.

In the 20th century, emigration has brought pockets of McEoghain’s to other parts of the world including the United States, Canada and Australia. However, the greatest concentrations can still be found in Ireland, where families have carried the name for centuries.

Variations of the surname McEoghain

The surname McEoghain is most commonly seen as McEoghain, and can also be spelled MacEoghain, M’Eoghain and McKeoghain or MacKeoghain. It is ananglicised version of the Gaelic patronymic MacEochain, meaning “son of Eoch O’Gain,” where “Eoch” means “horse” or “warhorse.”

Alternate spellings and variants include MacEochain, MacEoughain, MacKeoghain, and even MacEchein. The anglicised variants of MacEochain also include MacEachin, McKeoghin, McEachin, MacKeochin, and Kehoe.

The surname McEoghain can be found predominantly throughout Ireland. It is particularly common in County Galway and County Mayo, and variants of the name can be found throughout Scotland and England.

The common surnames derived from McEoghain include McKeogh, MacKeogh, Keogh, McKeoch, MacEoch, MacEch, McEoch, McEch, McGeough, Magee, Ech, MacGeoch, Eack, Eac, and MacKeigh. Some other variants of the surname may include Keoghane, Eachi, MacEakin, McAckin, McCauchin, MacKiachan, McKeachan, and MacKeachan.

McEoghain is an ancient surname with a rich heritage that is still common to this day. It is an interesting name as the Gaelic spelling of the original name varies quite a bit, but the anglicised versions all have a few common elements. As such, the surname McEoghain is a unique and recognizable name that has a place in Irish and Scottish history.

Famous people with the name McEoghain

• Devin McEochain: American Actor, best known for his role as Eric in the Lee Daniels series Star
• Matt McEochain: Retired Professional Soccer Player, who played for some of the most renowned teams in the U.S.
• Seanna McEochain: Model and Instagram Influencer known for her work in the fashion industry
• Maeve McEochain: Professional Golfer, who has represented her home country in many tournaments
• John McEochain: American Musician, known for his solo work and as an avid collaborator
• Taytum McEochain: Canadian Pop Star, who has released several albums and toured internationally
• Kevin McEochain: Retired Professional Hockey Player, who holds the record for most goals scored in the Eastern Conference
• Lola McEochain: Actress and Singer, known for her roles in Glee and Pitch Perfect
• Stacey McEochain: Emmy Award Winning Television News Anchor, who recently retired from her long-running show
• Macala McEochain: Mental Health Advocate and inspirational speaker, who works closely with youth from all backgrounds

Other surnames

McEoghainnMcEoghan