Surname Gogan - Meaning and Origin
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Gogan: What does the surname Gogan mean?
Gogan (or Gaughan, Goghan, Goghin, Goggin, Gowing, Goyen, Goyne, and Gowan) is a surname of uncertain origin, perhaps deriving from the Gaelic for ‘little smith’. It may also be of French origin, perhaps from the region of Aunis in France (now part of Charente-Maritime), where a variation of the name is Goyon. The name Gogan may also be an Anglicisation of the Gaelic Mag Uidhir, which derived from the Old Irish name Uidhir.
Its bearers can be traced back to the pre-seventeenth century Galloway region of Scotland, where they claim descent from the Clan Lamont. The name was mostly confined to this region as its modern spelling was only settled upon in the 19th century. The Gogan family eventually spread across most parts of Scotland, and Gogans are now found around the world in places such as Australia, the United States, and Canada.
Interestingly, the name Gogan is also a form of slang used in the Irish language and means ‘foolish’ or 'mischievous'. Despite this, Gogan is primarily a surname with long roots in Irish-Gaelic history. It is a proud name, and many Gogan family’s have achieved influence and recognition in their respective countries.
Order DNA origin analysisGogan: Where does the name Gogan come from?
The last name Gogan is generally associated with South Asian populations, particularly those of Indian, Pakistani, Nepali, and Bangladeshi descent. It is one of the more common surnames in these countries, particularly in the northern and western regions. In India, the name has been around since at least the fifteenth century. The name Gogan is derived from an ancient Sanskrit term meaning "luminary or heavenly body", suggesting that the original bearers of the Gogan surname may have been wealthy or influential.
The Gogan name is also found in the UK, where it has been since the early twentieth century at least. It is mostly seen in urban areas of the country, particularly in cities such as London, Birmingham, and Manchester. Many of the Gogans who migrated to the UK during this period were from South Asian countries such as India and Pakistan.
The Gogan name can also be found in the United States, primarily in the states of New York and California. The majority of Gogans living in the US are either direct descendants of South Asian immigrants, or the descendants of second- and third-generation immigrants.
Overall, Gogan is a very common surname among South Asian populations. It is also slowly becoming more widespread in the western world, particularly in the United Kingdom and United States.
Variations of the surname Gogan
The surname Gogan has several variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. The most common form of the surname is Goggin, which is most commonly found in Ireland and the UK. The alternate forms of Gogan include Goughan, Gogin, Gaghan, Gohagan, Gaughan, Goghan, Gaughon, Gahagan, Googen, Gohagen and Gaughin.
Gogan is an Irish surname derived from the Old Gaelic word 'gobha', which means smith. It is thought to have originally referred to the family's trade, and is often found in counties like Mayo, Galway, and Roscommon.
Variations of the surname Gogan can also be found in Scotland, where it is spelled Goughan, Goughin, Gaughan and Gaughon. It can also be found in other forms such as Googhan in the US and Canada.
One of the most interesting variants is Gohagan, which is a surname derived from an old Irish Scots variant of the name. This form of Gogan is found in the old Scots-Irish settlements of North America, and is still present in large numbers today in the US and Canada.
In addition to this, Gogan is also found as a given name throughout Ireland. It is thought to be derived from the Old Gaelic word 'gabha', which means smith. As such, Gogan is often used as a given name for those whose family came from a family of blacksmiths.
In conclusion, the surname Gogan has numerous variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. The most common forms of the surname are Goggin, Goughan, Gogin, Gaghan, Gohagan, Gaughan, Goghan, Gaughon, Gahagan, Googen, Gohagen and Gaughin. Each of these has their own unique history and variations, with some being more common in certain parts of the world than others.
Famous people with the name Gogan
- Jesse Goans: professional pool player from the United States.
- Miguel Gogonea: professional soccer player from Romania.
- Jack Gogan: Irish actor and director.
- Barry Gogan: British television presenter.
- Ted Gogan: American actor best known for his roles in films such as “Kill Bill” and “The Dark Knight”.
- Mary Gogan: Chartered Occupational Psychologist in the UK, and Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society.
- Pat Goan: American artist based in California, primarily focusing on photography and video.
- Gary Goans: American playwright, director and screenwriter, known for movies such as “The Leprechaun” and “The Last Boy Scout”.
- Zac Gogan: Australian professional rugby league player.
- Paul Goan: Scottish bassist and multi-instrumentalist, known for being a member of bands such as The Prodigy and Colourbox.