Surname MacCoogan - Meaning and Origin
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MacCoogan: What does the surname MacCoogan mean?
The last name MacCoogan is an anglicized version of an ancient Irish surname. It is an anglicization of the the Celtic surname Mac Uiginn (MacKeen/MacEgan), which originated as a patronymic name meaning “son of Uiginn.” Uiginn is an ancient Irish personal name meaning “sharp-minded” or “nimble-witted.”
This last name is especially common in the counties of Leitrim and Mayo in Ireland, and is recorded throughout North America and the United Kingdom. For example, in the United States, the highest number of records of the surname McCoogan are found in the states of New York, Ohio and Massachusetts.
The surname originates from two distinct sources, one a branch of the equally ancient MacCeitheirn clan of Ulster, the other from an offshoot of the Northwestern Irish MacEgans located in the Connacht province of Ireland. In the Middle Ages, many clans and families were involved in Ireland's politics and complex social ordering.
The MacCoogans can trace their lineage to the hereditary Irish chiefs who ruled much of the North of Ireland until the Anglo-Norman invasion of the 12th century. Throughout their long and complex history, the MacCoogan surname has been cherished by those who bear it, with many notable individuals choosing to bear the name proudly.
Many modern-day MacCoogans may continue to proudly embrace their ancient family heritage, with the last name serving as a reminder of their ancestral roots in the Leitrim and Mayo counties of Ireland.
Order DNA origin analysisMacCoogan: Where does the name MacCoogan come from?
The last name MacCoogan is relatively uncommon today, although more prevalent in certain geographical locations. It likely originated in Ireland and quickly spread throughout the British Isles and Europe, eventually becoming most prevalent in the UK.
People with the MacCoogan surname can be found mainly in Scotland, Northern Ireland, England, and Wales, although there are some examples of it in other parts of mainland Europe, the US, and Canada, too. It’s fair to say, however, that the majority of people with this last name come from the British Isles.
Its origin is not known for certain, but many believe that it is derived from the Irish Mac Ochagáin, meaning ‘Son of Ochagáin’, and thus related to the Munster O'Coghain clan. In this case, the MacCoogan was likely a personal name, possibly derived from ‘och’, meaning ‘young warrior’.
The spelling of the name has changed over time, as evidenced by records from as far back as the 13th century. Despite these changes, MacCoogan remains an evocative Irish surname, with its occupants responsible for a long and distinguished history.
Variations of the surname MacCoogan
The surname MacCoogan is derived from the Irish name Mac Cuagáin. It is also spelled MacCogan, McCogan, MacCugan, McCoggan, and MacCuggan, among other variants.
At one time, the surname was commonly found in counties along the Antrim coast. In Scotland, the surname MacCogan is a variant of McGowan.
The Gaelic spelling of the name is MacCuagáin. This is made up of two elements. The first, Mac, is an Irish and Scottish word for 'son', and the second, Cuagáin, is an old Irish word believed to mean 'helpful'. Alternatively, it could mean 'bent nose' or 'hooked nose' from the Gaelic word cú orbn meaning 'hook-nosed'.
In the late 19th century, the name also began to appear in some English databases, usually as MacCogan or McCogan. The surname MacCugan was mostly found in the counties of Mayo and Roscommon.
The surnames MacCugan and MacCogan were sometimes used interchangeably in Irish and Scottish records. They first appeared in the records of Ireland and Scotland in counties Tyrone, Antrim, Donegal, and Monaghan.
Given the many variants spanning two countries, it can be difficult to determine which variant is the original form of the MacCoogan surname. However, it is likely that the surname initially derived from the Irish and Scottish variations of MacCuagáin.
Famous people with the name MacCoogan
- Steve Coogan: An English actor, comedian, and writer who contributes mainly to British comedic television.
- Donal MacCoughlan: An Irish actor who has had a long and successful career in theatre, film and television.
- Colm MacCooger: An Irish television actor who is best known for his roles in RTE drama A Word of Warning and ITV drama Moving On.
- James McCoogan: Professional angler who competes in the Bassmaster Elite Series.
- Alexander McCoogan: A Scottish actor and presenter who hosted the Scottish children’s television series How to Get Away With It and the Television credits in Scotland.
- Aiden McCoogan- An Irish professional rugby union player for the Connacht Rugby Team in the Pro14.
- Ian McCoogan- A New Zealand cricketer who played one first-class matches for Central Districts between 1989 and 1991.
- Angus MacCoogan- An Australian soccer player who played for clubs in the now defunct National Soccer League (NSL).
- Shane MacCoogan- An Australian businessman and former professional road bicycle racer.