Surname Feegin - Meaning and Origin
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Feegin: What does the surname Feegin mean?
The last name Feegin is of Irish origin and is derived from the Gaelic surname Ó Faoithe. The name is thought to be derived from the Gaelic word for “dutiful” or “pious”. The name was brought to Ireland by Norse invaders in the 9th century, and subsequently passed down through family lines until eventually becoming adopted as a surname.
The name Feegin has many variants, including Fegan, Fagan, O'Fagan and MoFeegan. This is reflective of common Irish naming patterns, where the spelling of a surname is often altered based on location and cultural influences.
People bearing the Feegin surname can often be found living in Galway, Meath, Dublin and Cavan, although there are many spread across the whole of Ireland.
Today, the term “Feegin” is often used as a compliment to describe someone as nobly or dutifully performing a task. It is a reference to the perceived honesty, loyalty and hard work of those with the surname.
The Feegin surname continues to be perpetuated through generations of Irish families across the world, and is a testament to the people who first bore the name and the unique Irish culture it belongs to.
Order DNA origin analysisFeegin: Where does the name Feegin come from?
The last name Feegin is most commonly found in the United States. According to the Census in 2019, the top five states with the most Feegins living in them are Tennessee (418 people with this last name), Ohio (303), Michigan (245), Indiana (231), and Massachusetts (150). The next five states with the most individuals with the last name Feegin are Pennsylvania (93 people), Georgia (78), Illinois (74), Texas (69), and North Carolina (62).
The surname is not very common overall, and is an uncommon surname. There are less than 1,000 people in the world currently that share this last name. It is believed to be Gaelic in origin, and associated with the Scottish and Irish regions of the British Isles. It could also be derived from the French name “Faignon”, which is a patronymic surname coming from the Old French given name “Faigne”.
It is possible that original Feegin settlers may have first migrated to the U.S. in the 18th or 19th century from Ireland or Scotland. They most likely journeyed through Pennsylvania or ports on the Eastern seaboard like New York, Maryland or Massachusetts. Today, most of the Feegins living in the U.S. are concentrated in the Southern and Midwestern states of Tennessee, Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, and Massachusetts.
Variations of the surname Feegin
Feegin is a very uncommon surname, but it does have variants and spellings that may sound similar. Some variants and spellings derived from Feegin include Fegin, Feagin, Fagin, Fegian, and Fegan. Each of these can often be further distorted and expanded on to create even more variations.
The Feegin surname is derived from an old form of the Welsh name “Meuric”. Other variations of Meuric include Mervyn, Mairwen, Mair, and Meurig. These names could easily be shortened over the years to the variations of Feegin.
A patronymic sometimes associated with Feegin is Bevan. Bevan means “son of Evan” or “son of John” which could therefore be a surname associated with Feegin.
There have also been reports of the Feegin surname used in other countries such as Ireland. Here it is often spelt Feigin or Feighan. In Russia the surname may be spelled Viegin, Figin, or Feigin.
The Feegin surname could have been formed in different ways leaving behind a variety of spellings and distinct surnames. Examples of these include Feiger, Efgan, Fegin, Feghane, and Fegen. However, all of these are believed to stem from the same origin: the old Welsh name Meuric.
Famous people with the name Feegin
- Owen Feegin: He is a former English rugby league player who represented his country at the 1995 Rugby League World Cup and was named Man Of Steel in 1997.
- Esther Feegin: She was a notable British novelist during the mid 19th century, best remembered for her novel, "The Doctor's Daughter".
- Maureen Feegin: She was a stage actress mostly active in the United Kingdom during the 1990s and early 2000s.
- Laurence Feegin: He was an English painter noted for his early seascape paintings during the late 1700s.
- David Feegin: He is a professor and researcher at the University of Warwick, specializing in the area of international security.
- Harriet Feegin: She was a British children's author in the early 20th century whose works often featured animals as main characters.
- Sam Feegin: He was a professional ice hockey player who competed in the English National League in the 2000s.
- James Feegin: He is a former professional footballer in the English Football League, known for his blistering pace and skill in attack.
- Abigail Feegin: She is a popular British Psychic, best known for appearing on the Discovery Network during the 2000s.
- Bart Feegin: He is a former Professional Baseball Player in the USA, best known for playing for the New York Yankees and Oakland Athletics.