Surname Cohagan - Meaning and Origin

Cohagan: What does the surname Cohagan mean?

The surname Cohagan is of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic name "O Cathain". The prefix "O" means ‘descendant of', while "Cathain" is a personal name meaning ‘battle' or 'fighter'. Therefore, the last name Cohagan can be interpreted to mean ‘descendant of the battle fighter’. It's common in Irish culture for surnames to reflect the profession or characteristics of the ancestor. The name has several spelling variations due to the Anglicization process and regional dialects, including Coogan, Cogan, and Goggin. Like many other Irish surnames, Cohagan can be found among Irish diaspora communities around the world, particularly in the USA, Canada, and Australia.

Cohagan: Where does the name Cohagan come from?

The surname Cohagan is of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic name "O'Cadhagáin", which translates to "descendant of Cadhagán". The personal name "Cadhagán" means "little battle," suggesting a warrior-like ancestry. This name was first found among the tribes in Connacht, an ancient province in the west of Ireland.

Migration has led to the spread of this surname around the world. However, like many Irish surnames, Cohagan is not particularly common on a global scale. Today, the largest populations bearing the Cohagan surname are found in the United States. This can be attributed to the waves of immigration experienced during the 19th and early 20th centuries, particularly after the Irish Potato Famine. Like many Irish immigrants, those carrying the Cohagan name sought better economic opportunities and religious freedom. Other areas with a significant number of Cohagans include Canada and Australia, other common destinations for Irish diaspora throughout history. Despite this, the surname Cohagan retains its strongest associations with its Irish roots.

Variations of the surname Cohagan

The surname Cohagan is of Irish origin, but also has potential Scottish links. Variations of the name might include Cohagon, Cohan, Coogan and Cohagen.

This surname evolved from the Gaelic name "O'Cochagain", originally meaning "son of Cochagan". Variations often occur due to the phonetic translations from Gaelic to English, leading to a diverse spellings.

In terms of surnames of the same origin, there are similarities with the name Hogan which comes from "O'Hagain", another Irish Gaelic surname that means "young". Furthermore, the Irish surnames Cogan and Gogan, from "MacCogadhain", meaning "son of the spear" also share a Gaelic origin. Cohan, Coen, and Cohen may have either Irish or Jewish origins.

It's important to note that name origins and meanings can be complex and multi-faceted. There's also a potential Scottish link as the surname is prevalent in north-east Scotland, where it might have different origins and meanings, or be a version of an entirely different Gaelic name altogether.

Famous people with the name Cohagan

There are no well-known or famous people with the last name Cohagan that can be found in public records or celebrity databases as of now. The name does not appear to be well represented in the domains often associated with fame such as film, music, literature, politics, or sports. Regardless, this does not imply that there are no accomplished or notable individuals with the last name Cohagan in their respective fields or local communities. Sometimes, people with significant contributions to society are simply less publicized or recognized; they may be more notable in professional settings such as academia, business, or technical industries. It is also possible that the spelling of the last name has been translated or altered over the years, making it more difficult to track notable individuals. Lastly, there could be notable individuals with the last name Cohagan who have not achieved widespread international recognition, but may be locally or regionally known.

Other surnames

Cohagen