Surname Boghan - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'B'
Boghan: What does the surname Boghan mean?
The last name Boghan is of Irish origin, first appearing in the 13th century in Donegal. It is derived from the Gaelic Ó Bogan, meaning a descendant of Bogan. Bogan was a personal name derived from the Gaelic word bóg, meaning "soft, gentle."
The Boghan name is unique to County Donegal in Ireland, with the majority of those bearing the name living in the Inishowen area of the county. It has also been used in Scotland since the 1700s.
The Boghans were part of the Clan O'Dogherty, a far reaching and powerful clan who were a force to be reckoned with in Donegal for centuries. The influential O'Dogherty family were descended from Conor, the great King of Ulster in the 2nd century.
Today, Boghan is a popular surname in Ireland, and it is also found in Scotland and the U.S. Boghans are well known for their loyalty and their devotion to their family and their friends. They are also renowned for their ability to be charismatic and persuasive, and many famous people have the Boghan name.
In essence, Boghan is about loyalty, resilience, and power. It is a distinctive name that shows strength in any situation and a sense of commitment amongst one's family and friends. It is therefore no surprise that Boghan is a popular last name in Ireland and beyond.
Order DNA origin analysisBoghan: Where does the name Boghan come from?
The last name Boghan is most commonly found in Ireland and parts of the United Kingdom. It is derived from the Irish Gaelic "O'Bochain," meaning "descendent of Baochan," a byname likely derived from a personal or a nickname meaning "victor" or similar.
In Ireland, the surname began to be used quite widely by the 11th century. It was found mainly in counties Cork, Limerick, Galway, and Offaly, though there have been families found in other areas too. It is also believed to have been introduced to Scotland in some form during the 15th century, most commonly near the borders of England near North and East Yorkshire.
The last name Boghan is recorded mostly throughout England, Wales, Scotland, and Ireland. It is not a common surname in the United States, but there are some examples of it in other countries such as Canada, Australia, France, and Germany.
Today, the name "Boghan" is still primarily found in Ireland and the United Kingdom, with it appearing more in parts of Ireland than in the UK and in other countries. However, there have been substantial Boghan families living in America since the 19th century, making the name a little easier to find there today.
Variations of the surname Boghan
The Boghan surname has a few different variants, spellings, and surnames that share the same origin. The most common variants of the surname are Bughan, Bughann, Baughan, Boughan, Bougen, and Boagen. In some cases, these surnames have also been Anglicized to Becan or Beckon.
The Boghan surname can be traced back to the Irish Gaelic O'Bogain, which derives from the Old Gaelic word "bog" meaning soft or tender. The original name bearer was likely a reference to someone who was gentle, meek, pleasant, or kind-hearted.
The surname Boghan is typically found in Ulster, the northern-most region of Ireland. The original bearers of the Boghan surname likely moved to Ulster during the 17th century Plantations, when settlers from England and Scotland were granted English and Scottish land in the area.
The Boghan surname also appears in some parts of Scotland, where it was likely brought by settlers coming from Ulster. Spelling variants of the Boghan surname can also be found in various parts of the United States, including Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Indiana.
Overall, the Boghan surname is not especially common, and its variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin are even rarer. However, the surname can still be found in a few different parts of the world, including Ireland, Scotland, and the United States.
Famous people with the name Boghan
- Nawal Benghabrit-Remaoun: She is an Algerian-French lawyer specialized in human rights related to Islam, special advisor to the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
- Layne Boghan: professional soccer player
- Eden Boghan: public speaker and social media personality
- Maha Benghabrit-Remaoun: French scientist researching the fields of religion, gender and race
- Laura Benghabrit-Remaoun: doctoral student of Comparative Literature and Cultural Studies at the University of California, Riverside
- Aaron Boghan: professional longboarder
- Neil Boghan: advertising executive
- Guorr Boghan: Canadian actor and voice artist
- Pat Boghan: British painter
- Alastair Boghan: Australian chef and restaurateur