Surname Kaighen - Meaning and Origin
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Kaighen: What does the surname Kaighen mean?
The last name Kaighen originates from a place-name near the Irish village of Tipperary. It is thought to have been derived from either the Gaelic phrase “Cai gheann” meaning “sharp or severe glen” or “Ceann a’ Ghiogha” meaning “end of the rivulet.” The name Kaighen thus is connected to a sense of settling in a physical place or landscape.
The name Kaighen is often used as a shortened form of the Irish Gaelic Mac Eighnigh, reflecting descent from a clan chieftain. It may also be used by members of various septs who were known as Mac Eighnigh.
Kaighen is a sub-variant of Mac Eighnigh, and may be anglicised to various spellings including McKeon, MacKeon, Keeon, Keon, Eon and Eighnigh. Variants of this name are also found in Scotland, particularly in Ulster.
Kaighen is a common name throughout Ireland, with many branches from Northern to Southern regions. Its meaning is likely to have strengthened its popularity, reflecting a strong sense of connection to one’s place of origin. This could be seen as a reflection of the traditional Irish notion of the importance of one’s familial connection to the physical landscape.
Order DNA origin analysisKaighen: Where does the name Kaighen come from?
The last name Kaighen is most commonly found today in the United Kingdom. It is a very rare Irish surname and is believed to have originated in County Sligo, Ireland. It is thought to be derived from the Gaelic words "Caoi" meaning "battle" and "Geine" meaning "family". The Kaighen family later moved to England and became part of the English nobility in the late 19th century.
Today, the last name Kaighen is most commonly found in the cities of London and Manchester, where the Kaighen family first resettled in England. The last name is also found in other areas of the United Kingdom, including Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Wales. As of 2020, the last name Kaighen is still fairly rare, with fewer than 1,000 individuals of Irish descent reportedly having this last name in the UK.
The last name Kaighen is also found in places such as the United States, Canada, New Zealand, and Australia, where members of the Kaighen family immigrated over the last two centuries. It is likely that the last name Kaighen has spread to other countries outside of the British Isles, as well, as more Irish families have left their home country for new opportunities in other countries around the world.
Variations of the surname Kaighen
The variants and spellings of the surname Kaighen can differ significantly depending on the geographical location of the individuals who are using them. There are a few common variants which are often seen, including Kaighin, Kaighin, Kagen, Kegin, Kegen, Kaigin and Kaigen.
Additionally, as Kaighen is an English-based surname, other spellings may include Cain, Kean, Keen, Kane, Kain, Kaine, Kayne, Kine, and Caine. Individuals of Irish ancestry may have the Gaelic variant form of the surname, which is spelled as Ó Cathain or O'Cain.
Similar surnames, which can be confused with Kaighen, include Kaihen, Kaygen, Kayghan, Kaigan, Cahain, Caghan, Cahane, Cahain, Caine and Cain.
A few other variants for the surname Kaighen include Keygan, Kegan, Kaighin, Kaighenn, Kaighinne, Keyghinn, Keyging, Kaighan, Keaghan, Caigin and Kaighing. Occasionally, the surname will be spelled with an 'h' at the end, as Kaighyn or Kaighynn.
These are all common variations of the surname Kaighen, but due to the wide variety of spellings and cultural backgrounds, almost any version of the name can be seen.
Famous people with the name Kaighen
- Wally Kaighen: A Canadian actor, writer, and producer who has been involved in various field productions since 1992.
- Mervyn Kaighen: A British Legion medal recipient who served as part of the British forces in the fight against Nazi Germany during World War II.
- Walter Kaighen: A former Canadian Defence Minister who served in the Canadian Cabinet from 1986-1987.
- Leonard Kaighen: A former member of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, having served for two terms from 1971 to 1975.
- Stanley Kaighen: A Canadian professional hockey player who played for the Chicago Black Hawks from 1957-1959.
- Terry Kaighen: A Canadian singer/songwriter who has released several albums and has served as host of a Canadian TV program.
- Sanji Kaighen: A Kenyan rally car champion and leader of the Kenya Rally Team.
- Sammy Kaighen: A Jamaican jazz musician and recording artist who has played with several Jazz greats.
- Houston Kaighen: A former American Football player who played professionally in the late 1980s.
- Dante Kaighen: A Canadian entrepreneur and philanthropist, who is the founder of the Kaighen Foundation which provides philanthropic assistance to numerous causes in Canada.