Surname Harraghan - Meaning and Origin

Harraghan: What does the surname Harraghan mean?

The last name Harraghan is of Irish origin and is an anglicized version of two old Gaelic names. The first name is Ó hEaghra, which was a hereditary surname used by individuals who were descended from an ancestor of the same name. This ancestor was a member of a sept, or clan, of warriors in the region of County Cork and was associated with the kingdom of Desmond. The second name is Ó Hearghalláin, which is a derived form of the Gaelic personal name, Hearghallán. This name was given to a descendant from a leader or ruler of that same sept of warriors.

The surname Harraghan originally meant "descendant of a warrior" or "descendant of a leader" and was used by people who could trace their ancestors to the specific region of County Cork. Over time, the name was further anglicized, with more modern variants of the name including Harrigan, Harrigon, and Harrigan.

Today, the name Harraghan is still used by families who trace their Irish history back to the original sept of County Cork and its warriors. The name is also still a reminder of the strong and proud heritage of Irish people in the region and is an important part of family stories and memories that have been passed through generations.

Harraghan: Where does the name Harraghan come from?

The last name Harraghan is derived from the Irish Gaelic surname O'hEarchagain meaning "grandson of the dark one." It is most commonly found today in County Kerry in southwest Ireland, which is the ancestral home of the original Harraghans. It is also found in other tourist destinations in the Irish countryside, such as the nearby towns of Dingle, Killarney, and Tralee.

The surname is also found in the Irish diaspora, mainly in countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. In the United States, the Harraghan family name is most commonly located in Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and New York, which are all popular states for Irish immigrants. The Harraghan name is also found in other parts of the world, particularly in the United Kingdom, where the name Harrahan is more common.

Despite being a fairly uncommon name in most parts of the world, it is still a very common name in its ancestral home of southwest Ireland. The family still holds some political positions in the region and the surname is proudly displayed in businesses, pubs and restaurants in the area.

Variations of the surname Harraghan

The surname Harraghan is a form of surnames derived from the Gaelic O'hEireagain. Variations of the surname can include Hargan, Harrigan, Hargin, Herrigan, O'Harrigan, O'Hearaghan, O'Harran, Haregan and Hearaghan. It is believed that the Harraghan variation of the surname was created in the early 18th century when an ancestor of the family emigrated to Scotland from Ireland.

The earliest recorded presence of the Harraghan name can be found in the Annals of the Four Masters. Several prominent figures of the O'hEireagain family are recorded and the Harraghans are stated to have held a castle in Inishowen, Ireland.

Alternative spellings of Harraghan can include Harrahan, Herregan, Hargeran, Harrigan, Harran, Hereghan, Heringhean and Hearhane. Different regions and countries may have produced variations in spelling based on phonetic spelling, cultural influences, and regional dialects. Variations of Harraghan can also be found in Scotland, England, and Wales.

The genealogical records for the Harraghan surname date back to the 1700s when Harraghans were found in Scotland and Ireland. A few notable members of the Harraghan family are James Harragan, a prominent figure in Australian history, and Mary Ann Harraghan, a WWI nurse in the Australian Army Nurse Corp.

In conclusion, the surname Harraghan is derived from the Gaelic O'hEireagain. Variations of the surname have different spellings, including those listed above, and each variation can have a different surname derivation. The Harraghan family has a documented history dating back to the 1700's, and have played a prominent role in multiple countries throughout history.

Famous people with the name Harraghan

• Stephanie Harraghan: Australian New Zealand actress, best known for her performances in Love My Way, Packed to the Rafters and Bad Mothers.
• Eamonn Harraghan: Irish actor, playwright, director, and theatre maker based in Dublin.
• John Harraghan: Emmy-nominated American television producer, writer and director. He has worked on shows such as The Flash and Legends of Tomorrow.
• Daniel Harraghan: Professional British actor, best known for his portrayal of Detective Inspector Gesta in Brothers & Sisters.
• Richard Harraghan: English actor, best known for his roles in Casualty and The Bill.
• Patrick Harraghan: Professional American stage and film actor, best known for his work in Spaghetti Westerns.
• Leon Harraghan: Beloved English character actor, best known for his roles in television series such as The Bill and Eastenders.
• Jerry Harraghan: Mangaka and illustrator best known for his works with Avatar: The Last Airbender comics for Dark Horse.
• Matthew Harraghan: Award-winning Canadian director and screenwriter with credits on programs like Stargate SG-1 and Ray Donovan.
• Sacha Harraghan: Australian comedian, actor and writer, best known for her roles on Outland and Neighbours.

Other surnames

Harragher