Surname Fegan - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'F'
Fegan: What does the surname Fegan mean?
The last name Fegan is of Irish origin and is derived from the Gaelic term “O’Faodhagain.” This term is composed of the elements "faodhach," which means "fruitful or productive" and "an" meaning "one who." Hence, Fegan translates to “descendant of the productive one.” The Fegan family was first found in county Mayo in Ireland, where they held a family seat for many generations. Over the years, different Fegan families moved to different parts of Ireland and the world due to political and economic changes. They carried their surname along with anyone born into the lineage. This surname, like many other Irish surnames, has various spellings like Egan, Keegan, MacEgan, and more. Thus, Fegan carries a rich cultural heritage and history of the Irish people.
Order DNA origin analysisFegan: Where does the name Fegan come from?
The surname Fegan is of Irish origin and seems to have derived from the Gaelic "O Faodhagain". The prefix "O" indicates male descendants, so the name essentially translates to "descendants of Faodhagain". There are several variations of the name, including Feagan, Feighan, and Feeney, among others. In Gaelic, "Faodhagain" means "little Feidhlimidh", with the latter name itself signifying "beauty" or "ever good".
The Fegan name first surfaced in County Tyrone in Northern Ireland, but also has strong ties to County Louth. Today, the surname is most commonly found in Ireland, especially Northern Ireland, where it remains a popular and frequently encountered name. However, due to the historic Irish diaspora, the surname Fegan is also found in considerable numbers in countries such as England, Australia, Canada, and the USA, where immigrants from Ireland have settled over hundreds of years. Despite this, the name is still relatively uncommon compared to more prominent Irish surnames. The spelling of the surname can vary significantly due to historical factors such as immigration and phonetic spelling systems, leading to variation in different parts of the world.
Variations of the surname Fegan
The surname Fegan has a variety of different spellings and similar surnames, including McFegan, O’Fegan, Fagan, Faegan, Feegan, Feagan, Feigen, Phagan, McFagan, MacFegan, O'Fagan, Feighan.
The Fegan and Fagan names originally stemmed from the historic Irish surnames O'Faodhagain, MacFagain or O’Fagain. The prefix 'O' means grandchild or descendant of, and 'Mac' means son of. So, anyone with the surname Fegan or Fagan is a descendant of Faodhagain or Fagain. Faodhagin is an Irish personal name derived from the Gaelic word ‘faodh’, which means foundation or cause.
These different surnames and spellings evolved over time due to a combination of factors. For instance, many Irish names were Anglicized during the time of British rule. Also, spelling variations occurred due to inconsistent transliteration from the Gaelic language to English, and because many people could not read or write, names were recorded as they sounded leading to discrepancies in spellings.
Also, when families migrated to other regions or countries, they sometimes adapted their surnames to fit in or to make it easier for locals to pronounce or recognize. So the names could have changed a bit depending on the region or country.
Famous people with the name Fegan
- Roshon Fegan: An American actor, singer, and songwriter best known for his role in Disney Channel's "Shake It Up" and "Camp Rock."
- Sean Fegan: An Irish actor recognized for his parts in shows such as "The Alienist" and "Vikings."
- James M. Fegan: Known as a longtime famous sports reporter for "The Athletic" in Chicago.
- Sam Fegan: An Australian actor appeared in TV series "Janet King."
- Jamie Fegan: An Irish footballer who had a successful career in Ireland and Northern Ireland.
- Gabriel Fegan: An American BMX rider recognized in various BMX championships.
- Robert Fegan: An Australian Rules footballer who played with Fitzroy in the Victorian Football League (VFL). Please note that the fame of these individuals may depend on the region and their respective fields.