Surname Kegin - Meaning and Origin
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Kegin: What does the surname Kegin mean?
The last name Kegin is of Irish origin, most likely derived from the Gaelic Mac Ceigain. This origin dates back to the 11th or 12th century and is thought to derive from the given name Ceig, meaning ‘watchful’ or ‘vigilant’. It is believed that the Irish clan, the O'Keigines, may have evolved from the surname Kegin, from which the clan name is thought to have come.
The Kegin name has been found in various forms all around Ireland and beyond, including Ian and Egan, as well as Keegan and many other variations. The name is most likely derived from the Gaelic Mac Ceigain or MacKeigain, which means ‘son of Ceig’. The name is still scattered throughout the country, with counties Sligo, Mayo, Galway, Kerry, and Donegal all producing concentrations of Keigins over the centuries.
The surname Kegin means 'watchful' or 'vigilant', and the name was undoubtedly borne by those who were keen-eyed and responsible to fulfil their duty to their families or clans. The name has had many variations over the centuries and is still carried by descendants of the original islanders all around the world, each of them bearing the same sense of vigilance and responsibility that was once so essential to survival on the Emerald Isle.
Order DNA origin analysisKegin: Where does the name Kegin come from?
The Kegin surname is most commonly found among individuals of German and Irish descent. Its origin lies in Old Germanic languages, where the name was spelled "Keggin". The name is an occupational surname, referring to an individual who brews beer. In German, the word "keg" means container for beer, and so this name essentially means "beer brewer".
The surname "Kegin" is most prevalently found in the US and Canada, with many members of the Kegin family residing in the American Mid-West and parts of Canada. It is also fairly common in Australia, particularly in the states of New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland. In the UK, Kegin has been adopted as a surname by people from various ethnicities, including Irish and German.
It is also occasionally found in parts of Europe, particularly in Germany, although the spelling may have changed from the traditional Kegin form. It is a little less common in other parts of the world, such as South America and Asia, though again, forms derived from the Kegin surname may be present in those regions.
The population of people with the last name Kegin is difficult to estimate precisely, though it is likely to be less than one million people worldwide.
Variations of the surname Kegin
The surname Kegin is an anglicized form of the Irish Gaelic name Ó Céigín, which is pronounced "Kay-gin." This was a patronymic name derived from the Gaelic personal name Céigín meaning "little one," referring to someone who is small in stature. Other variants, spellings, and surnames of similar origin include Ó Céigíne, Cagan, Kagan, and Kegan.
Kegin is more commonly encountered in Ulster along the counties of Donegal, Derry, and Antrim. Its derivation can be traced to a small Fitzmaurice sept by the same name who were located in Govan in County Westmeath. The surname has also been used to Anglicize the name of the Ó Gabháin, or Gavigan sept, of Connacht.
Other variant spellings include Kagan, Keagan, O'Kegin, Kegon, Kiment, Kegius, Kegken, Kekin, Keggin, Kigin, Kagin, Meigin, O'Kagan, and O'Caigin. Many of these spellings are rarely seen today, but the surnames Kagan and Kegan remain popular.
The name Kegin is found mostly in Ireland, with some individuals living in England in the 19th century. With the various spellings and variations of the name, it can be seen in countries all over the world, including the United States, Canada, Australia, Germany, Scotland, New Zealand, India, Denmark, and Belgium.
Famous people with the name Kegin
- Burt Kegin, American actor
- Chris Kegin, British actor
- Adam Kegin, German politician
- Claire Kegin, French actress
- Larry Kegin, Canadian singer
- Ted Kegin, Italian actor
- Mike Kegin, American comedian
- Ashley Kegin, British songwriter
- Brian Kegin, Australian film director
- Roger Kegin, Spanish scientist