Surname Bohan - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'B'
Bohan: What does the surname Bohan mean?
The last name Bohan is of Irish origin and primarily originates from the Galway area. It is derived from the Gaelic name "O'Baoghain," which means "descendant of Baoghan." The term "Baoghan" itself translates to "simple" or "naïve" in English. Therefore, the surname can be interpreted as "descendant of the simple or naïve one". Historically, families with the surname Bohan were notable for their ancestral seat in Galway and their contributions to the local community and culture. Despite its geographical roots in Ireland, the surname can be found in many countries worldwide due to Irish diaspora. It's important to note that meanings of surnames can vary based on cultural, regional, and historical interpretations.
Order DNA origin analysisBohan: Where does the name Bohan come from?
The surname Bohan is of Irish origin. It is derived from the Irish Gaelic "O'Boghdhain," meaning "son of Bohan." This name is often associated with the counties of Galway and Mayo in the province of Connacht, on the west coast of Ireland, where the family held a family seat since ancient times. The Bohan family ranks among the oldest families of Ireland, dating back to the 12th century.
Today, the surname Bohan is most common in Ireland, although it can be found in various parts of the world as a result of the global Irish diaspora. This includes countries such as the United States, Australia, and Canada, where large Irish immigrant populations have resided for centuries. However, it remains most common in Ireland and is particularly associated with the west of the country. Despite its dispersion, the name is relatively rare, contributing to its strong association with Irish heritage and history.
Variations of the surname Bohan
The surname Bohan has Irish Gaelic roots, originating from the old Gaelic name O'Buadhachain, which means "victorious". As such, this surname has been phonetically written in a variety of ways throughout history, due to the complexities of translating from Gaelic to English.
The most common spellings of the name aside from Bohan include Bohane, Bohon, Bohen, and Bohen. Each of these spellings relate to the same origin, drawing upon the Gaelic roots of the name.
Variants of the name Bohan include O'Bohan, a longer form of the name indicating direct descent from the original O'Buadhachain family. This name can also be seen spelled as O'Bohane, O'Bohon, and O'Bohen.
There are also several related surnames originating from the same Gaelic roots as Bohan. These include Boyhan, Bohannon, Buaghan, and Bohane, each of which share a similar meaning and origin to Bohan.
In terms of geographical distribution, the surname Bohan is most common in Ireland, particularly in counties Galway and Roscommon. However, due to emigration, variations of the name can be found in many countries including England, Australia, Canada, and the United States.
Famous people with the name Bohan
- Corey Bohan: An Australian professional BMX rider and a reality television personality, known for his appearances in The Hills.
- Mike Bohan: An Australian rules footballer.
- Jim Bohan: A professional American football player who played defensive tackle.
- Derek Bohan: An American former swimmer who competed in the 1964 Summer Olympics.
- Hank Bohan: A professional American football player who played as a guard.
- Carolyn Bohan: A well-known Irish politician, Bohan served as a Dublin City Councilor.