Surname Keighron - Meaning and Origin

Keighron: What does the surname Keighron mean?

Keighron is an Irish surname derived from the Gaelic "O Cadhrain". The root of this name is "Cadh", meaning "battle", and "ran", meaning "ancient". The most likely interpretation is "ancient warrior". It is believed that the root of the name could also come from the old Irish name Cadhrain, which means "wild courage".

The name has been found variously spelled as "Keighran" and "Kerrigan". In Ireland, this could also be interpreted as "what little is left" or "the last remaining". The name Keighron may also be associated with the town of Keeran in County Leitrim, located in the northern part of Ireland.

The history of the Keighron surname is one that can be traced back to the 12th Century when the O'Kerrigan family lived in the Sligo/Roscommon area of Ireland. The O'Keoghran family held a powerful position in the Connacht province of Ireland during the 16th century and several members of the family served as high ranking officials in government before being usurped by the English.

The name maintained its popularity over the centuries and spread to other parts of Europe, in particular to Scotland where it remains commonly used today. The name Keighron continues to be popular among the Irish and is associated with strength and courage.

Keighron: Where does the name Keighron come from?

The last name Keighron can be found in the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia and Canada. In the United States, Keighron is most commonly found in Pennsylvania, Ohio, New York, California, and Wisconsin. The name Keighron is of Irish origin and is an anglicized version of the Gaelic name 'Ó Caochain' or 'Ó Cadhain'. Its literal translation from the Irish language is 'from the rocky place'.

The Keighron surname is particularly common in northern Ireland. In most cases, the name Keighron is found in relatively high concentrations in counties along the northern coast, such as Donegal, Tyrone, Derry and Antrim. Despite the greatest concentrations of the last name in this region, there have been a significant number of Keighrons to emigrate to the United States and other parts of the world over the centuries.

The Keighron family was initially a branch of the O’Neill bloodline in Ulster province, connected to the noble lineage of Niall of the Nine Hostages. This lineage maintained a strong presence in Ireland throughout the Middle Ages, though their presence in mainland Britain was largely limited to Scottish highlands.

Today, the Keighron name is still common throughout the United States and Ireland. In the United States, there is an estimated 7,000 people with the surname, with the greatest concentration in Pennsylvania, Ohio and New York. According to Ancestry.com’s database, there are currently over 4,000 people named Keighron in Ireland, with the highest concentrations in Donegal, Tyrone, Derry, and Antrim.

Variations of the surname Keighron

The surname Keighron is an anglicised version of the Irish/Gaelic name Mac Eochadha. The Irish Gaelic spelling of the Mac Eochadha is Mac Aodha (or M'Keogh) from the given Irish name Aodh, which means ‘fire’.

The surname Keighron is also commonly spelled as Keneher, Kenher, Keagan, Keaghan, Keghran, Keightran, and Keenan.

The Mac Aodha surname has also become M'Keogh and has been anglicised to form variants Keogh, Kehoe,Keohane, and Kane.

This surname has also developed international variants including Keggen, Keyghan,MacEahan, MacEeehane, Macgharen,Macghon, and Mac,,gaun in America.

In Scotland the surname is sometimes written as M’Keichan, McKeough, McKeown and McAllister.

In England, the name has been found written as McGaughan, MacGowan,MacGaughan, McKeon, MacGinnis, MacKinnon, MacKinley and MacKinnon.

Finally, the name has been found in Germany as M’Keggon, and in France as Maître.

Overall, the surname Keighron is an anglicised variation of the Irish/Gaelic name Mac Eochadha, which has been quite widely distributed throughout the world with barely any variations in spelling remaining constant.

Famous people with the name Keighron

• Spring Keighron: Spring Keighron is a celebrated British actress, best known for her roles in films such as 'The Object of My Affection' and 'The Duchess'.
• Jamie Keighron: Jamie Keighron is a professional basketball player with the Tulsa 66ers in the NBA Development League.
• Courtney Keighron: Courtney Keighron is a British writer and director, best known for her films such as 'The Life of an Actress' and 'Celluloid'.
• Matt Keighron: Matt Keighron is a British actor, best known for his roles in 'Detective Inspector Blake' and 'Grange Hill'.
• Chantell Keighron: Chantell Keighron is a British singer and songwriter, best known for her popular single 'Remember Me'.
• Rob Keighron: Rob Keighron is a British artist, best known for his work as a sculptor.
• Louis Keighron: Louis Keighron is a British racing driver, best known for his competitive efforts in the UK Formula 4 Series.
• Julie Keighron: Julie Keighron is a British chef, best known for her work on the TV programme 'Breakfast Club'.
• Simon Keighron: Simon Keighron is a British sports journalist and broadcaster, best known for his work on Sky Sports News.
• Stephen Keighron: Stephen Keighron is a British actor and writer, best known for his roles in 'News Radio' and 'Noobz'.

Other surnames

Keighry