Surname Duignam - Meaning and Origin

Duignam: What does the surname Duignam mean?

The surname Duignam is of Irish origin. It is derived from the Gaelic Mac Duignan, which is composed of two parts; mac, meaning son, and Duignan, a personal name found frequently in Irish annals.

The name is derived from a personal name, Dubhagain, which comes from the Gaelic for 'black foreigner'. This name was used to describe a person from an unknown foreign country or of unknown origin. The original Deignan chiefs were erenaghs of the parish of Turlough in the Barony of Carra in County Mayo.

The main sept of the Duignan name originated from the Moylinney lands of Co. Mayo and also from the parish of Kilmore in Co. Wexford. Other branches of the name are found in various parts of the country, particularly in counties Mayo, Wicklow, Kilkenny and Galway.

The Duignam surname is associated with a person who is responsible, fastidious, honest and independent. People of this name tend to be reliable and willing to work hard in order to achieve their goals. They are also known to be committed to their family and friends and can be trusted in times of crisis. They are also known for their warmth and caring nature, which makes them great friends and loyal companions.

Overall, the surname Duignam is associated with strong family ties, loyalty and responsibility. Those with this surname are known to be reliable, hardworking and highly committed to those around them.

Duignam: Where does the name Duignam come from?

The last name Duignam is thought to have originated in the Irish region of County Mayo in the 13th century. The surname is still quite common in Ireland today, particularly in the north-western counties of Mayo, Sligo, Leitrim and Roscommon. It is also found in scattered pockets throughout the rest of Ireland. Duignam is a relatively rare name outside of Ireland and the United Kingdom. Those with the last name may have Anglo-Irish roots, descended from British who settled in Ireland during the 1600s and 1700s.

The name is found most frequently in the United States, where nearly 8,600 Americans had the last name in 2020. It is thought that the first Duignams in the States probably arrived in the 19th century, after fleeing Ireland and its economic woes caused by the country's Great Famine. Today, most Americans who bear the Duignam name live in nearby states like Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York and New Jersey.

Duignam is also found in smaller numbers in Canada, Australia and South Africa. The majority of Canadians with the last name are concentrated in Ontario and British Columbia, suggesting a possible British colonial influence, while those in Australia are likely descendants of Irish immigrants.

In conclusion, the last name Duignam is most common in Ireland, with scattered pockets throughout the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Australia and South Africa.

Variations of the surname Duignam

The surname Duignam is an Irish surname derived from the Gaelic O Dubhagain, meaning descendant of Dubhagain. It is a patronymic surname, rising in popularity in the mid-19th century. Variants of this name include Duingan, Deugan, Duigenan, Doogan, Duggan, and Doogan.

The most common variant is Duggan, which is either a phonetic spelling of the original Irish or an Anglicised version of Dubhagain. It is often recorded with a variety of alternative spellings, including Dougan, Doogan, and Duigan.

Another variant of this surname is Deugan, which is a common spelling of the Irish original, O Dubhagain. It is the most accurate spelling of the surname, in terms of both pronunciation and meaning. The variant Doogan is also a common spelling, which is likely to have evolved from the phonetic spelling of O Dubhagain due to dialectic influence.

Moreover, Duigenan is an anglicised version of the surname, originating from O Dubhagain. This variant is most commonly found in County Wicklow and is derived from the Irish O Dochartaigh, meaning “descendant of Dochartaigh”.

The Duignam surname has also been used as a surname in a number of other countries, most notably Scotland, England and Wales. In Scotland the surname is commonly spelled as Duignan and Duigan, while in England it is most commonly spelled as Deugen and Deugenam. In Wales variants include Dysgwn and Dysgwm.

Famous people with the name Duignam

• Tom Duignam: Irish jockey who won the 1978 Irish Grand National.
• Stephen Duignam: Irish footballer who played for Bohemians FC.
• Michael Duignam: Irish actor who played in films such as “A Date with Miss Fortune” and “The Brothers McMullen”.
• Joseph Duignam: Irish artist and professor of art who taught at the National College of Art and Design in Dublin.
• David Duignam: English actor who has appeared in small roles in movies such as “The Iron Lady” and “Penelope”.
• John Duignam: Former Irish soccer player who played for Galway United FC.
• Anna Duignam: Actress who has starred in TV shows such as “Tin Star” and “Primeval”.
• Shelia Duignam: Irish nurse and midwife who has served as the Chief Nursing Officer of the Health Service Executive.
• Reverend John Duignam: Irish priest who served as the Bishop of Killala from 1998-2007.
• Jim Duignam: Irish footballer who played for Shamrock Rovers FC.

Other surnames

Duignan