Surname Keogan - Meaning and Origin
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Keogan: What does the surname Keogan mean?
The last name Keogan is of Irish origin. Derived from the Irish Gaelic name "Mac Eochagain," it translates as "son of Eochaidh." The name "Eochaidh" itself is rooted in the elements "each," meaning horse, and "aidh," meaning a fire or flame. Thus, the surname may suggest connotations such as "horse rider" or "horse warrior." The name has endured significant spelling alterations over time, resulting in varying representations such as Keogan, Kegan, Keegan, MacKeegan, and more. Despite these changes, the surname maintains its cultural and historical significance, bearing a rich connection to the early clans and families in Irish history.
Order DNA origin analysisKeogan: Where does the name Keogan come from?
The surname Keogan is of Irish origin, specifically derived from the Gaelic "MacEochagain". The surname has faced numerous spellings over time, including MacEoghan, MacEoin, Keegan, and others, due to the fact that many Irish names were often translated into English phonetically. The name translates to "son of Eochaidh," potentially referring to a descendent of a prominent figure bearing this name in history.
Today, the Keogan surname is most prevalent in Ireland, particularly in the province of Leinster. Counties such as Dublin, Meath and Louth have a high concentration of individuals bearing this surname. It has also spread due to emigration to places like the United States, Australia, Canada, and other countries. The Keogan name isn't extremely common, but in these areas there is a greater likelihood of encountering individuals with that name.
Variations of the surname Keogan
The exact origin of the surname Keogan is unclear, but it is generally believed to be of Irish origin and is thought to be derived from MacEochagáin, an Irish Gaelic patronymic surname, meaning "son of Eochagán".
Some spelling variations and closely related names to Keogan are Keegan, Keoghan, Keaghan, Kegan, Keagen, and Cogan. The variant "Keegan" in particular, is very popular in various English-speaking countries and is widely spread, especially in Ireland.
The surname Cogan is of Anglo-Saxon origin and it is derived from an old Celtic word "Cogan" which means "dweller by the mound". Although, this surname has no direct connection with Keogan, it could be a possible variant due to phonetic similarities.
Numerous alternate spellings have emerged as people moved to different regions and nations, and words were translated or spelled as they sounded. Sometimes, the same person's name could be spelled differently in different historical records. Keo, Keog, Keogh, Keoghe, and Keough are all further examples of variant forms which have similar pronunciations as Keogan.
In essence, surnames are often altered over time and across regions, and thus, they can be found in many different forms.
Famous people with the name Keogan
- Thomas Keogan: Irish registered architect and a leading figure in contemporary Irish architecture
- Chris Keogan: Former American professional ice hockey defenseman
- Steve Keogan: American former basketball player and sports broadcaster
- David Keogan: English former professional footballer
- John Keogan: Irish professional golfer
- Andrew Keogan: American actor, best known for his role in the movie "The Hangover Part III"
- Alexander Charles Keogan: American professional soccer player
- Sean Keogan: Football coach
- Terry Keogan: Australian professional basketball player
- Joseph Keogan: Irish former bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Meath from 1994 to 2004