Surname Corrigan - Meaning and Origin

Discovering the Hidden Strands: An Insight into the Corrigan Heritage Through a DNA Lens

A captivating account of how an iGENEA DNA test reshaped my understanding of my Corrigan ancestry. From a simplistic Irish background, this journey unraveled layers of unexpected insights into Viking and Norman lineages that has since influenced my self-understanding.

V. Corrigan

Corrigan: What does the surname Corrigan mean?

The last name Corrigan is an Irish surname that originated from the Gaelic name 'Ó Corragáin' meaning 'descendant of Corragán'. The name Corragán is derived from a diminutive of the word 'corradh', which means 'spear'. Therefore, the surname Corrigan can mean 'descendant of the small, spear wielding one'. This name originated in the province of Connacht, predominantly in County Fermanagh and was quite common amongst Irish nobility. The Corrigans were a part of the Cenél Fearadhaigh, a segment of the larger Clann Fearghaile, with a territory extending along the eastern part of Fermanagh near Lough Erne. Despite its Irish origins, Corrigan can be found throughout the English-speaking world - a result of Irish diaspora. Over generations, the pronunciation and spelling of the surname has varied, leading to a multitude of variants including Currigan, O'Corrigan, Corocan, Courigan, and Corrican. However, the name Corrigan has been universally acknowledged as denoting Irish heritage and descent.

Corrigan: Where does the name Corrigan come from?

The last name Corrigan originates from Ireland, more specifically from Gaelic roots. It is an anglicised form of the original Irish surname Ó Corragáin, which means "descendant of Corragán." The name Corragán itself suggests a diminutive of "Corradh," inferring "spear."

Today, it is commonly found in countries such as the United States, Canada, and Great Britain due to the vast Irish diaspora. However, it remains most prevalent in its place of origin, Ireland. In the United States, the name is concentrated within the states of New York, Pennsylvania, and California, reflecting the pathways of Irish immigration during the 19th and 20th centuries. The name Corrigan has also permeated into popular culture, often used in literature, films, and television series to represent Irish heritage or characteristics.

Variations of the surname Corrigan

The surname Corrigan originates from Ireland and has several different spellings, variants, and derivative surnames. The original Gaelic form of the name was O Corragain, which is derived from the word "corrag", meaning "spear".

Spellings and variants of the surname Corrigan include Corgan, Corrigen, Corregan, Corrigan, Corrigon, Corocan, Cushen, and O’Corrigan. Spelling variations of this family name are common due to many factors such as the translation from Gaelic to English and the fact that literacy was not widespread until the last few centuries. Therefore, scribes and church officials often spelled the name as it was told to them, leading to the many variants.

There are also anglicized versions of the name such as Kerrigan, Carrigan, or Korrigan. All of these surnames stem from the same origin and share the same meaning.

Furthermore, there are other similar sounding names like Corriveau, Corbin and Corsini that are of different origins (French, English and Italian, respectively) and do not have the same etymological roots as Corrigan. It's important to note these names, though similar in sound, do not share the same ancestry with Corrigan.

Famous people with the name Corrigan

• Kevin Corrigan: An American actor known for his roles in movies such as "The Departed" and "Pineapple Express".
• Misty Dawn Corrigan: An actress known for her role in the movie "Guinevere".
• Simon Corrigan: An English chef with his own Michelin-starred restaurant in Mayfair, London.
• Mairead Corrigan: A co-founder of the Community of Peace People and a recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize.
• Michael Corrigan: An American actor recognized for his role in the film "Outsourced".
• James Corrigan: A well-known English stage, film and television actor.
• Ray Corrigan: An American actor famous for his roles in B-Western movies.
• Shannon Corrigan: An actress known for her role in the TV series 'Homeland'.
• Sean Corrigan: A British actor featured in films such as "Spectre" and "Skyfall".
• Joffrey Corrigan: A French rugby player, currently playing for Union Bordeaux Begles in the French Top 14 competition.
• Lloyd Corrigan: An American film and television actor, producer, screenwriter, and director.
• Stephen Corrigan: Canadian former professional ice hockey player, played with the Chicago Black Hawks in the NHL.
• John Corrigan: Known as Crash Corrigan, was part of the Corriganville Movie Ranch where hundreds of films and TV shows were filmed.

Other surnames

Corrigane