Surname Egan - Meaning and Origin
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Tracing Back the Fire: A Fascinating Journey into the Egan Lineage with iGENEA DNA Test
With iGENEA DNA test results in hand, I embarked on an intriguing journey to trace back my lineage through centuries. This exploration revealed that my surname, Egan, originates from early Gaelic tribes in Ireland and carries a distinctive historical lineage uniquely associated with law, literature, and fiery vigor.
N. Egan
read moreEgan: What does the surname Egan mean?
The surname Egan is of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic "Mac Aodhagáin." The name translates to 'son of Aodhagán', a personal name meaning "little fire," where 'Aodh' means 'fire' and the diminutive suffix 'án' creates 'little fire.' The Egan family were a learned clan, known for their contributions to law and letters; they were essentially hereditary lawyers and scholars to several important families and clans in ancient Ireland. The name is widespread throughout Ireland, particularly in County Tipperary, though bearers of the name can be found worldwide due to the dispersal of Irish people through emigration. Today, Egan is a popular surname in Ireland and among people of Irish descent around the globe.
Order DNA origin analysisEgan: Where does the name Egan come from?
The last name Egan is of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic term "Mac Aodhagáin," which means "son of Aodhagán." Aodhagán, in turn, is a diminutive form of the name Aodh, meaning "fire" and referring to the pagan god of the underworld. The Egan family, historically, were hereditary lawyers or 'Brehons' to the O’Connors of Connacht.
Today, the Egan surname is most common in Ireland, particularly in the counties of Tipperary and Offaly. However, due to large-scale Irish emigration during the 19th and 20th centuries, the name is also fairly common in various parts of the world where Irish diaspora settled. This includes the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand. With globalization and the continued movement of people worldwide, the name Egan has further dispersed globally. Despite its dispersion, it still remains a distinctly Irish name.
Variations of the surname Egan
The surname Egan is of Irish origin, deriving from the Gaelic name "Mac Aodhagáin," which means "son of Aodh" or the "son of fire." The name has historically existed in several forms due to regional variations and anglicization. Variants and alternate spellings of Egan include Eagan, Eagen, Egin, Eagon, Keegan, MacEgan, MacEagan, and Eagon. Some surnames with similar origins are MacKeegan, O'egan, and Eigan. Modernized or anglicized versions also exist such as Egans or Eaghan.
It should be noted that the inclusion of prefixes such as 'Mac' (meaning 'son of') or 'O' (meaning 'grandson of' or 'descendent of') are common in Irish surnames. The names MacAodhagáin and O'Aodhagáin, for example, would denote familial relationships and may have varied into the modern surname Egan over time and through changes in language and spelling conventions.
In addition, numerous families unrelated to the Egans may have adopted similar surnames due to their meaning or popularity, thus creating a myriad of variants with distinct origins.
Famous people with the name Egan
- Kian Egan: An Irish musician, best known as a member of the boy band Westlife.
- Jennifer Egan: A Pulitzer Prize-winning author famous for her novel "A Visit from the Goon Squad".
- Greg Egan: An Australian science fiction author known for his hard sci-fi novels like "Permutation City".
- Richard Egan: An American businessman who co-founded data storage company EMC Corporation.
- Walter Egan: American rock musician, recognized for his hit single "Magnet and Steel".
- Susan Egan: American actress, voice actress, and singer known for originating the role of Belle in the Broadway adaptation of "Beauty and the Beast".
- Roger Egan: An American politician who served as the 18th Governor of Oregon.
- Sean Egan: An Irish singer-songwriter and musician, best known as one of the members of the rock band Hotpress.
- Nicole Egan: Celebrated investigative journalist and author.
- Michael Egan III: An American actor known for his accusations against Hollywood executives.
- Clare Egan: American biathlete who has competed in the Winter Olympics.
- John Egan: An Irish professional footballer who plays as a centre back for the Premier League club Sheffield United and the Republic of Ireland national team.