Surname MacEttigan - Meaning and Origin
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MacEttigan: What does the surname MacEttigan mean?
The surname MacEttigan is an anglicized form of the Irish name Mac Aoidhagain. This surname originated with the Gaelic Sept of Ui Aodhaigain who were based in the Connacht Province in western Ireland. The literal translation of Mac Aoidhagain is Son of Aoidhagán, derived from the personal name Aoidhagán which means "fire-born".
The origin of the MacEttigans is found mainly in Counties Mayo and Sligo in western Ireland. It is also found in the border districts of Leitrim, Donegal, and Roscommon. The ancient homeland of the MacEttigans was in the Ray of Aidhche, a district of County Mayo around the town of Cong which was the birthplace of Turlogh MacEttigan, an celebrated Irish patriot who was killed in the Rebellion of 1798.
In the 17th century, members of the MacEttigan family were some of the early settlers of the Carolina colony in America. During the 19th century, many MacEttigans fled the potato famine to start a new life in the United States.
The MacEttigans are part of what is known as the "Connemara Clan," a group of several Irish families whose ancestors originated in County Galway. As members of the clan, the MacEttigans shared close ties with other families and were known for their solidarity.
Today, people from the MacEttigan family are scattered all around the world. Known for their strength of character and loyalty, the MacEttigans are proud of their Irish heritage and are committed to carrying on their unique traditions.
Order DNA origin analysisMacEttigan: Where does the name MacEttigan come from?
The last name MacEttigan is mainly found in the Irish diaspora, with the highest concentrations in England, the United States, Canada and Australia.
In England, MacEttigan is most common in Lancashire, Yorkshire, Cheshire and Merseyside with concentrations in Warrington, Bolton, Doncaster and South Glasgow.
In the United States, MacEttigan is most commonly found in counties along the eastern seaboard, including Pennsylvania, Virginia, New Jersey and Massachusetts. There are also large concentrations in California, with some pockets in Ontario, Canada. In all of these states, there are Irish-American communities and organizations that support the Irish culture and celebrate their heritage.
MacEttigans can also be found in Australia, particularly in the Perth, Sydney and Melbourne areas. These cities are popular destinations for Irish migrants looking for a new life and these communities have kept their Irish heritage and identity intact.
MacEttigan is an old Irish surname that is still carried by many around the world. It is a distinct reminder of the long history of Irish immigration and the strong ties that the Irish community has maintained. The legacy of MacEttigan continues to live on today.
Variations of the surname MacEttigan
MacEttigan is an Irish surname of Mac Giolla Eiteagáin variant, where the prefix ‘Mac’ indicates 'son of', and Giolla Eiteagáin translates as ‘servant of Eiteagán’.
Variants of the surname are most commonly MacGettigan or MacGettighan, with similar spellings such as Magettighan, Magettigan, Magettighin, Magettighon, Magettighun, McGettigan, McGettighan and McGettygan.
It can also appear as Gettigan, Gettighan, Gettighin, Gettighon, Gettygan and Giolla Eiteagáin. An Anglicized version is MacEtegan.
Other surnames of a similar origin which can be descended from include McHeetaghan, McCannettigan, Cannettigan and Rooney-Gettigan.
It is suggested that MacEttigan bearers are descended from the Ui Cremthainn sept of Connacht, while those with the surname McHeetaghan, McCannettigan, Cannettigan and Rooney-Gettigan can be traced to the Dalton tribe of the county of Mayo.
MacEttigan is mostly found in Ulster, Connacht and Mayo, while McHeetaghan, McCannettigan, Cannettigan and Rooney-Gettigan are associated with County Mayo. There are also locations in Donegal which bear the name such as Creagheatagan.
Famous people with the name MacEttigan
- Siobhan MacEttigan: Siobhan is a Canadian musician, having released multiple albums in the alternative folk rock genre.
- Midge MacEttigan: Midge is a British actress, known for her work on the ITV drama Emmerdale and the BBC series Silent Witness.
- Conor MacEttigan: Conor is an Irish comedian and actor, best known for his series of YouTube shorts in which he pokes fun at Irish culture.
- Michael MacEttigan: Michael is an American entrepreneur and angel investor, having invested in numerous technology start-ups over the past decade.
- Seamus MacEttigan: Seamus is an Irish politician, currently serving as Sinn Féin's deputy leader.
- Brendan MacEttigan: Brendan is an Australian racing driver, having raced in the World Touring Car Championship and the Australian V8 Supercars Championship.
- Dave MacEttigan: Dave is a British singer-songwriter, with multiple albums released under his own name and with the band Coldplay.
- Aina MacEttigan: Aina is an Icelandic artist, known for her abstract paintings and sculptures.
- Sean MacEttigan: Sean is a Canadian-born filmmaker, currently working on an upcoming Netflix documentary about the opioid crisis in Canada.
- Declan MacEttigan: Declan is an Irish chef, with multiple Michelin star restaurants and television appearances to his name.