Surname Kihegan - Meaning and Origin
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Kihegan: What does the surname Kihegan mean?
Kihegan is a Native American surname of the Cree people. Historically, the name was used to refer to people from the extreme west of mainland North America, which often included territory now located in Canada. The exact meaning of the name is unknown, but it is believed to be based on an Anishinaabe word, which means “god of thunder”. The name could also be related to another Anishinaabe word, “Kiinwewe”, which means “man who acts bravely”.
Today, the last name Kihegan is still found among members of the Cree people. It is primarily located in areas of Canada such as Ontario and Manitoba, but it can also be found among the Cree people in the United States. It is still a relatively uncommon surname, but as indigenous cultures become more visible and respected, it is likely that more people will claim it as their own.
While the exact origin and meaning of the last name Kihegan might be impossible to determine, it is certainly a powerful and meaningful name that is connected to the great heritage and resilience of the Cree people. As more and more Cree people proudly carry the name Kihegan, they no doubt also proudly carry the spirit of their ancestors, representing strength and courage in the face of adversity.
Order DNA origin analysisKihegan: Where does the name Kihegan come from?
The last name Kihegan is primarily found among tribal members of the Kihegan Nation, an indigenous nation located in Oklahoma.
The Kihegan Nation is an inter-tribal nation established in 1870. They belong to the Native American Church of Oklahoma, a branch of the Native American Church. The Kihegan Nation is comprised of several different descendant tribes, including the Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Muscogee Creek, Seminole, and Shawnee.
Kihegans are mainly concentrated in Oklahoma and Texas. In Oklahoma, particularly, their communities can be found in the following counties: Seminole, Oklahoma; Creek, Oklahoma; Beckham, Oklahoma; and Hughes, Oklahoma. In Texas, they are located in the counties of Red River, Lamar, Fannin, Cooke, and Denton.
The majority of Kihegans practice traditional Kihegan culture, including language and spiritual beliefs. Many of their language and spiritual practices have been revitalized and preserved by the Kihegan Nation. This includes the Kihegan Language Revitalization Project and the Kihegan Leadership Institute. Additionally, Kihegan members often participate in pow-wows and cultural activities to pass down their history and culture to the generations that follow.
Overall, the Kihegan name is commonly found among tribe members in Oklahoma and Texas. It continues to be preserved and passed down through the generations to keep Kihegan culture alive and vibrant.
Variations of the surname Kihegan
The surname Kihegan has several different variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. These include Kigean, Kiheen, Kiergan, Kyhegan, Kiheganne, Kigegan, Kyheene, Kyrcum, and Kyergan.
Kigean is a variant spelling of Kihegan, which is derived from an Irish Anglicized form of a Gaelic personal name of uncertain origin. This translation of the surname may refer to “a follower of Saint Tighearnach” or “lord”—Tighearnach is an Irish Gaelic Saint, or “lord”, likely related to an ancient Celtic deity—or it may just come from another, older Gaelic personal name altogether.
Kiheen is another variant spelling of the surname, which is possibly related to the Irish Gaelic name O’Hiadhain meaning “descendant of Hiadhain”, the Gaelic fascination for poetic flight and assonantal langue. The name Hiadhain likely derives from the Proto-Celtic “hiatos”, meaning “vision” or “sight”.
Kiergan and Kyhegan are similar variants of the surname that likely derive from a variation of the Gaelic name o’Aodhagain, which in turn translates to “descendant of Aodhagain”, a personal name likely related to the Proto-Celtic “oïd”, meaning “snow”.
Kiheganne and Kigegan may be derived from the Welsh surname, Kiggen, which is derived from the personal name Cyhrcein. Mimicking the Irish Anglicized forms, this Welsh translation of the surname could have variously interpreted are “a follower of Cyhrcein” or “lord”.
Kyheene, which is pronounced similarly to Kihegan, is a surname that likely derives from a diminutive form of Old English “caca”, which could possibly mean “cook” or, more likely “cake”.
Kyrcum is another variant surname of the same origin, which is likely derived from the Old Norse Kykrane, meaning “crane”.
Kyergan is a surname variant of Kihegan, which is derived from the Irish Anglicized form of Gaelic personal name O’hAoibhagain, translating to “descendant of Aoibhagain” or “descendant of a pleasant person”.
Overall, the surname Kihegan is derived from various sources including the Irish and Welsh translations of Gaelic personal names, Old Norse, and Old English. All of these surnames and their variants have a common origin, and they all refer to either a Celtic deity, a follower of a saint, a “pleasant person”, or referring to an animal or food item.
Famous people with the name Kihegan
- Gail Kihegan: Professional Artist (painter).
- Kevin Kihegan: Radio personality.
- Jon Kihegan: Australian musician known for his country and rock music.
- Liz Kihegan: Former Australian professional surfer.
- Harry Kihegan: Ex-rugby player who represented the New South Wales Waratahs.
- Rob Kihegan: Professional golfer.
- John Kihegan: National Football League player.
- Ray Kihegan: English cricketer.
- Kristina Kihegan: Actress and singer best known for her role in the musical On the Town.
- Stuart Kihegan: Former Australian rules football player.
- Patrick Kihegan: Activist and public figure best known for his work with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.
- Steve Kihegan: Comedian and writer.
- Tony Kihegan: Australian actor who appeared in films and television series such as McLeod's Daughters and Home and Away.
- Emily Kihegan: Former fashion model and CEO of the Australian brand Buddah Shark.
- Stephen Kihegan: Australian television and film actor known for his roles in such shows as The Bill and Underbelly.