Surname Fehan - Meaning and Origin
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Fehan: What does the surname Fehan mean?
The last name Fehan is an anglicized version of the Gaelic name Ó Fiannachta, which is derived from the old Gaelic first name "Fiannacht." The name Fiannacht itself is a combination of two different Gaelic words, "fian" meaning a group of warriors or a chief, and "acht" meaning a quality. The surname Fehan was originally used to designate a descendant of a warrior or chief in the clan.
Fehan is the name of a prominent Irish Clan residing in Counties Kerry, Cork, and Limerick.The clan is associated with the ruling sept of the Eoganachta, one of the largest and most powerful clans in the country. The location of their home, Cnoc na Fiannacht in County Kerry, is a sign of their ancient importance.
The Fehans are traditionally identified as a noble family of leaders and warriors, as well as skilled craftsmen, fishermen, and farmers. They have a long and proud ancestral lineage, tracing back to the legendary Fianna warriors in Irish mythology. Fehan has also been the family name of several historic figures in Irish history, such as the 16th century farmer and politician John Fehan.
The Fehans are highly respected in Ireland for their steadfast commitment to the preservation of Irish culture and to their long and distinguished heritage. Today, the Fehans remain active in their community, both in Ireland and around the world, and continue to be a symbol of strength and leadership embedded in Irish history.
Order DNA origin analysisFehan: Where does the name Fehan come from?
The last name Fehan is common today mostly in Ireland, where it has been present since the medieval period. While it is not as common in other parts of the world, there are notable people with the last name Fehan around the world today.
In the United States, for example, Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Patience Drake Roggensack had the maiden name Fehan. In the UK, Northern Irish writer Joe Fehan published his first novel in 2006. In Australia, broadcaster Owen Fehan was station manager at Perth radio station (97.3 Coast FM).
The first recorded appearance of the name Fehan was in Donegal, Ireland in 1659. That same year, the Fehan family was granted arms by the Chief Herald of Ireland. Since then, the name has been associated with Clare, Mayo, Derry, Sligo and other parts of Ireland. Fehan could also be found in Hohenbocka, Bavaria in 1755. Since then, the Fehan surname has spread around the world, largely due to mass migrations.
Today, the popularity of the last name Fehan varies from country to country. According to recent data, the surname is most popular in the United States and the United Kingdom, followed by Canada and Australia. Fehan is also notably present in Italy, Germany, Norway, Sweden, and Denmark. Overall, the last name Fehan is widely prevalent in anglophone countries, but its presence can be found in many other parts of the world.
Variations of the surname Fehan
Fehan is a surname that has multiple variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. The most common variants of the name are Feighan, Fahy, and Feehan. TheFeghan spelling is also sometimes seen.
The surname is believed to have originated in County Mayo, Ireland. It is derived from the ancient Gaelic surname Ó Fíacháin, which means the descendant of Fíachán/Fiachan. It is the diminutive form of a personal name derived from the ancient Gaelic words fir (man) and cath (battle).
The Fehan surname may have originally been spelled Feyhan, Feighan, Fahey, Feahan, Feyhane, Fehane, Feehan, Feyhanne, Fehann, Fiehan, Feheen, Feham, Fahy, Fieghan, Feyghan, Faheen, and Fehean.
The Fehan surname is also found in other countries with a variety of local spelling variations. In Scotland, variations of the surname include Fehane, Faneh, Feeney, and Fene. The surname is also common in the United States and Canada, where it may be spelled Fehiggen, Fehagan, Feyhan, Fehen, Fehoney, and Fehren.
The Fehan surname is an ancient one with multiple variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. The origin of the name is believed to be Irish and ultimately derived from Ó Fíacháin, meaning the descendant of Fíachán/Fiachan. Over the years, several spelling variations of the name have emerged.
Famous people with the name Fehan
- William Fehan: Former CIA officer and consultant.
- Casey Fehan: Disc jockey and producer.
- James Fehan: Professional golfer.
- Michael Fehan: Retired American soccer defender.
- Samuel Fehan: Surgeon belonging to the Fehan medical family.
- Jacob Fehan: American actor.
- Paul Fehan: Former wrestling referee.
- Marty Fehan: Voice actor, singer, producer, and sound designer.
- Tim Fehan: Professional baseball player.
- Pat Fehan: Former American football player.
- Sean Fehan: Antique car restorer.
- Russell Fehan: Former Chief of the Seattle Fire Department.
- Michael James Fehan: Former diplomat.
- Patrick James Fehan: American historian and scholar.
- Stephen Fehan: American entrepreneur.
- Walt Fehan: Engineer, entrepreneur, and environmentalist.
- Mary Anne Fehen: U.S. Army Major General.
- Ryan Fehen: Author and Western artist.
- David Edwin Fehen: Former U.S. Ambassador and diplomat.
- Noah Fehan: American YouTuber and actor.