Surname Owgan - Meaning and Origin
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Owgan: What does the surname Owgan mean?
The last name Owgan is an Irish surname derived from the old Gaelic name 'Ua Mágáin', which itself is derived from the personal name, Magan. This name is thought to mean 'son of the fierce one'. The Owgan spelling is an anglicized version of this surname. Historically, there were two ancient clans, both of which are believed to have used this surname; one of them was located in County Galway and the other in County Limerick.
Throughout Irish history, the surname Owgan was popular among several clans, and the members of which served as chiefs and heads of families. These clans were known to be part of the Uí Maine kingdom (modern-day County Galway), which was a prominent family in the region, and the O'Hogans of Carbury in County Limerick. Distinguished bearers of this surname include Malachy O'Hogan, who served as the Bishop of Elphin from 1472 to 1499, as well as Patrick O'Hogan, the Lord Mayor of Dublin between 1650 and 1651.
Today, the surname Owgan can be found in its original spelling, as well as in several anglicized versions including Hogan, O'Hogan, O'Hoggan, Hoggan, and Hogin, among others. It is also commonly used as a first name in many parts of the world, such as the United States, Australia, Canada, and Ireland.
Order DNA origin analysisOwgan: Where does the name Owgan come from?
The last name Owgan is most commonly found in parts of India, Turkey, and Afghanistan. It is particularly common in the region of Elazig, a deployment area and city in eastern Anatolia, Turkey. It is one of the oldest surviving family names in Anatolia. In India, Owgan families are found mainly in the states of West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh. They are predominantly of Sunni Muslim faith.
The origins of the Owgan surname remain unclear. Scholars have linked the family name to the Ottoman Empire, which stretched from the Middle East to Eastern Europe from the late 13th century until 1918. Some researchers believe the family name is derived from the name of a Kurdish tribal leader, Uqman, who lived during the height of the Ottoman reign.
The Owgan family has had a significant impact on the culture and history of the regions in which they reside today. Notable Owgan people include the 18th century poet Abdul-Ghani al-Owgani, the 19th century poet Ahmad-e Owgani, and the contemporary Kurdish politician Barham Ahmed Salih.
The family name Owgan may also be linked to the Afghan surname Uqman. The kan suffix at the end of Oqman is thought to indicate the family is of Turkic origin. The Uzbeks, a Turkic people related to the Ottomans, moved into what is now Uzbekistan and Afghanistan early in the 16th century. The Afghan people continue to practice many of the customs from the Ottoman period.
Variations of the surname Owgan
The surname Owgan has many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. Some of the common variants include: Awggan, Awegan, Awgen, Awgun, Oggon, Uggon, Uwegun, Uwegyn, Wwegean and Uwgan. These spelling variants can be attributed to various dialects and regions that shaped the language of the area and the spelling of surnames.
Owgan is sometimes spelled as Awgan, Oggen, Ogen and Ogang. This is due to the Anglicization of the surname. Another variant, Oggan, is also used in some places. These spelling variants are caused by a shift in English language of the surname from spoken dialects to written language. All of these spellings are variations of the original surname Owgan.
The surnames Owgan, Awggan, Awegan, Awgen, Awgun, Oggon, Uggon, Uwegun, Uwegyn, Wwegean and Uwgan are all related. They all derive from the same origin, which is a combination of the Old Welsh language and the Old English dialect. The original form of the surname was the Old Welsh Oggun, which then transitioned to the Old English Wwegan, and finally became the modern form of Owgan.
Different regions have adopted different spellings of the surname, which can be attributed to the various adaptations of the language that occurred over the centuries. Despite the various spellings, they all originate from the same ancestor, Oggun, and bear the same meaning.
Famous people with the name Owgan
- Andy Owgan: internationally renowned actor who gained prominence in independent films, and is best known for roles in the Joe Prune series of comedies.
- Jean Owgan: renowned jazz musician and singer known for her experimental approach to popular music.
- Kevin Owgan: former professional American football player, who played for several teams in the NFL, most notably the Baltimore Ravens.
- William Owgan: highly successful business magnate and CEO of scenic hotel chain Resorts International.
- Amanda Owgan: critically acclaimed author, best known for her award-winning novel, "The Heart is a Lonely Hunter."
- Michael Owgan: notable philanthropist and civic leader, who has held posts with several charitable organizations, including the United Way.
- Eli Owgan: Emmy-nominated television producer, known for his work on popular medical drama series House M.D.
- Matthew Owgan: award-winning film director, famed for his iconic coming-of-age films, such as "Dazed and Confused" and "Real World."
- David Owgan: experimental glove designer and entrepreneur, credited with the invention of the first ever waterproof winter glove.
- Sam Owgan: record producer and music engineer, known for his work with renowned hip-hop artists including Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg.