Surname Beggan - Meaning and Origin

Beggan: What does the surname Beggan mean?

The surname Beggan is of Irish origin and is derived from the Gaelic word "beagán," which means "little" or "small." It is often thought to have been a nickname used to denote a small, short, or little person. The surname was historically concentrated in the region of Monaghan in the northern part of the Republic of Ireland. Like many Irish surnames, a large number of people with the Beggan name emigrated to the United States, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom due to the Great Famine in Ireland in the 19th century. Today, individuals with the Beggan surname can be found around the globe, though it remains most common in Ireland.

Beggan: Where does the name Beggan come from?

The last name Beggan is primarily of Irish origin. It is an Anglicized form of the Gaelic name "O Beagain," which translates to "descendant of Beagan." Beagan itself is a personal name derived from the word "beag," meaning small or little. The name implies that the first person with this name might have been small, either in stature or in age.

The Beggan surname is most common in Ireland, especially in the regions of Ulster and Connacht, owing to its Gaelic roots. Historically, some of the notable lands owned by this family are located in County Fermanagh. However, due to Irish immigration over the centuries, this surname is not confined to Ireland alone. It has scattered around the world, particularly in the United States, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom due to the large number of Irish immigrants in these countries. However, even in these countries, individuals with the Beggan surname constitute a small percentage of the population.

Variations of the surname Beggan

The surname Beggan, mostly found in Ireland, has several alternative spellings and variants, given its Gaelic origin. Some of the most common alternate spellings include Beagan, Beegan, Beaghen, Beggane, Beggen, Biggan, Beggin, and Began. These spelling differences often arose due to errors in transcription, changes in dialect, or the anglicization of the name over time.

The most direct origin of the surname is the Gaelic Ó Beagáin, meaning "descendant of Beagán" with Beagán coming from a diminutive of "beag", meaning "small" or "little”.

This Irish surname also has geographic variants due to migration over time. For instance, in Scotland, individuals named Beggan may have the surname Biggin as a result of Anglicization.

The surname Beggan, with its variants, is less common and not to be confused with similar surnames such as Begley, Beggs, or Bogan.

Keep in mind that while these variants, spellings, and evolutionary surnames provide some direction in genealogical research, these may not encompass all variations due to the dynamic and evolving nature of surnames throughout history.

Famous people with the name Beggan

• Sean Beggan: An Irish Footballer who had a prolific career in Monaghan, he has played for the Monaghan county team at different levels, in both Gaelic football and hurling.
• Neil Beggan: He is a well-known Gaelic footballer from Ireland. He currently plays for the Scotstown club and the Monaghan county team where his performances have earned him widespread recognition.
• Eugene Beggan: An Irish musician, singer, and songwriter. He is best known for his album, ‘Almost Beautiful’ which has gained him critical acclaim.
• Lisa Beggan: Lisa is the co-founder of renowned fitness brand, Strong Nation. Strong Nation is known internationally for their unique style of fitness incorporating music and strength training. Please note, while all these individuals have made significant contributions in their respective fields, they may not be considered "famous" in the mainstream sense globally. Their fame may be attached to a specific region, such as Ireland, or to a specific niche, like Gaelic football or fitness.

Other surnames

Beggane