Surname Dignan - Meaning and Origin

Dignan: What does the surname Dignan mean?

The surname Dignan is an Irish and Scottish name derived from the Olde English personal name Digna, a combination of the words "dignus" (worthy) and "anus" (lamb). The suffix "-an" was also sometimes added to words to indicate possession, and, in this context, may signal that the Dignan name indicates direct descent from an ancestor with the given name Digna. As such, the surname Dignan is usually understood to mean "descendant of the worthy lamb".

The Dignan surname first appears in Ireland around the 11th and 12th centuries, where one of the first recorded bearers of the name was the king of Leinster, Domnall Mór Ua Dignain, mentioned in the Annals of the Four Masters in 1185.

The surname can be spelled several different ways, including Dineen, Dynan and Dignam, amongst others. It also sometimes appears as a prefix or in reverse, with the names Dignass and Anidig. In some cases, the surname Dignan is also abbreviated as Digns, Dign and Digs.

Most people with the surname Dignan in Ireland are concentrated in the provinces of Connaught and Ulster, while the majority of those bearing the name Dignan in Scotland are found in the area around east Fife and Perthshire. The Dignan name is also found worldwide, with significant numbers in the United States, Australia, Canada and England.

Dignan: Where does the name Dignan come from?

The last name Dignan is most commonly found in Ireland. While it does have a presence in other countries, it is most commonly found in Ireland's southern region. In recent years, it has become increasingly popular with Irish-Americans as well, primarily due to immigration patterns. It has been found in areas such as Texas, Kentucky, Ohio, and California, among others.

The origin of the name Dignan is unknown, but it is believed to have derived from the Gaelic word "díon" meaning "faithful" or "loyal". It is also attributed to the Irish phrase “diadh an ghein” which translates roughly to “God’s favor”.

Today, the last name Dignan is still relatively common in both Ireland and the United States. As an Irish surname, it is especially popular in the west where those of Irish descent are concentrated. However, the last name has spread throughout the United States, and is particularly common in areas where there is a large Irish-American population, such as the east coast and the Midwest.

Variations of the surname Dignan

The surname Dignan is derived from the Irish surname O'Duiginn or Duggan and is of Gaelic origin. The name translates to mean ‘Descendent of the Dark-Haired One.’ The name is most commonly found in counties Galway, Mayo, Clare and Limerick in Ireland.

Variations, spellings, and other surnames of the same origin of Dignan include:

• Deacan

• Dagen

• Doaggan

• Dugan

• Duggon

• Dyggan

• O'Duggan

• O'Dugin

• O'Duiginn

• Odigan

• Odigean.

O'Duggin is the older form of the name and is rarely found today. The forms of Dugan and Dyggan are the most common.

The forms of Deacan, Doaggan, Duggan, Duggon, Dyggan, Odigan, and Odigean may have evolved from a sincere attempt by the original name makers, or by the English authorities, to shorten and Anglicize the name in the 1700s and 1800s.

The different spellings were created by people not understanding the Irish language and attempting to transliterate it into English words.

Other variations of the name include: Dignam, Deggan, Dagen, Daggan, and Degan. All of these spellings derive from the same original surname.

The variants of the surname Dignan are deeply rooted in Irish history and culture, and the various spellings sometimes reflect regional differences in pronunciation or even an individual’s preference. Since the spelling variations are many, each branch of the family and each individual may have a different spelling of the surname.

Famous people with the name Dignan

• Zachary Dignan: American filmmaker and writer, known best for his work on the television series Get Shorty.
• Shane Dignan: American actor known for his roles in the films The Favourite and The Nun.
• Michael Dignan: Australian actor who starred in the films Red Dog and Skyfall.
• Aidan Dignan: British actor who appeared in the films X-Men: First Class and Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them.
• Patrick Dignan: Irish actor and director who starred in the television series Father Ted and Derry Girls.
• Paul Dignan: Canadian author and broadcaster, best known for his work on CBC Radio One.
• Sean Dignan: American football player and coach for the New England Patriots.
• Tim Dignan– Australian musician and songwriter, best known as the frontman of the band King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard.
• Patrick Dignan: American marketing executive, entrepreneur and author who specializes in digital marketing.
• Thomas Dignan: British racing driver who competed in the British Racing Drivers Club Formula One Championship.

Other surnames

Dignam