Surname Banigan - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'B'
Banigan: What does the surname Banigan mean?
The last name Banigan is an anglicized form of the Irish surnames Ó Banagáin, Ó Banngáin and Ó Banngabháin. These Gaelic surnames are derived from the personal name Banagán, which may come from the Old Norse ‘Banan’, meaning ‘tears’.
The Banagán sept had possession of the area around Roisín na Siúr in the barony of Clangibbon, County Cork, from rather early times. Among the first references to the name is that of Maelmorda Ó Banongoin, described as ‘ battled’ in a document written in the 12 century.
In the subsequent years the Banigan sept divided into a number of branches and gained considerable political power in the area, which was usually dispatched through the ‘Chief’, the most powerful of the septs.
The Banigans were renowned for their craft and industry, many of them taking to trades such as boat-building, smithing and weaving.
Today the Banigan would be seen as a proud family, proud of their origins and their many accomplishments. Their legacy and hard work stills visibility in their place of origin and throughout Ireland. Despite changing times and changing surname spellings, the Banigan’s will continue to be looked upon for centuries to come as a strong, noble family.
Order DNA origin analysisBanigan: Where does the name Banigan come from?
The surname Banigan is of Irish origin and is primarily found in the south of Ireland, particularly in County Cork and County Waterford. It is not as common today as in the past, however, families with the name Banigan can be found across Ireland, the UK, the United States, and other countries with Irish heritage.
The Banigan surname is derived from O Banagáin, which is an Anglicized version of Ó Bánagáin or Ó Bánagain. It comes from the Irish word banagh which means ‘little white one’.
The first known bearer of the surname Banigan was Tuathal O'Banagan in the townland of Tullagh, Parish of Castletownroche, in the year 1293 AD. The surname's prevalence in the south of Ireland around this time suggests that the Banigans settled in this region in the 13th century.
It is likely that the Banigans moved out of this part of Ireland and ventured out into other countries over the centuries. Today, the name Banigan is found around the world in countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
Although there are still families with the surname Banigan, the name is not as common as it once was. Nonetheless, those who carry the name are proud of their Irish roots and carry them forward.
Variations of the surname Banigan
Banigan is an Irish surname originating from the Gaelic Ui bhFionnagain, which means ‘descendants of Fionnagain.’ The name is typically Anglicized as Banigan or O’Banigan, although there are numerous possible variant spellings.
Banigan is most commonly found in the Ulster province of Northern Ireland. Variations of this name may include O'Banigan, Bannigan, Banegan, Banagen, Banigan, Banigen, Banegan, Bannigan, Bannigen, Banguin, Bainagin, Beanigan, Banahan, Benigan, Baningan, Benaghan, Bannagan, O'Burniga, O' Banahan, and O' Bunuigen.
In the Irish version of the name, O’Banigan is the most common spelling, usually pronounced with a soft O rather than an anglicized O’. There are also other variants of the name, such as O’Banegan or O’Bannigan, although these are less common.
Banigan is also a variant of the Welsh surname Banningan, which is from an old Anglo-Saxon name Banning. This name is derived from the Old English word ban meaning ‘an enemy or destroyer.’ Variations of this name may include Banning, Banningan, Bannan, Bannen, Bannin, Bannagan, Bannigan, and Bannigen, as well as numerous other variations.
In Scotland, Banigan is also a variant of the surname Banning, which is an anglicized form of the Gaelic Mac Bánain, which is derived from the Irish given name of Bernard. Variations of this name may include Banning, Banningham, Banningan, Banninger, Baning, Banyng, Banningen, Bannigan, Banninan, and Banniffe.
Famous people with the name Banigan
- Bill Banigan, American football player.
- Mark Banigan, former professional Australian rules footballer.
- Matt Banigan, former professional ice hockey player and coach.
- Ed Banigan, former professional American football player.
- Jack Banigan, former professional baseball player.
- Pat Banigan, former professional basketball player.
- D.J. Banigan, former professional baseball player.
- Butch Banigan, professional Canadian hockey player.
- Kevin Banigan, former professional baseball player.
- Patrick Banigan, Major League Soccer player.
- Larry Banigan, former professional American football player.
- Tom Banigan, former professional golf pro.
- Gary Banigan, former professional baseball player and coach.
- Brian Banigan, former United States national field hockey team member.
- Steve Banigan, former professional Canadian Football League player.
- Dan Banigan, former professional Canadian Football League player.
- Scott Banigan, Major League Soccer player.
- Paul Banigan, former professional baseball player.