Surname McCaughin - Meaning and Origin
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McCaughin: What does the surname McCaughin mean?
The surname McCaughin originates from Ireland. It's an anglicized form of the Gaelic "Mac Cochlain", which means "son of Cochlan". The name Cochlan itself is a diminutive form of the personal name "Cochal", meaning "cape" or "hood". Therefore, McCaughin may signify "the son of the one wearing a hood or cape". Like many Irish names, the original spelling has gone through numerous variations over the centuries and can be found in different versions such as Cochlan, Coghlan, McCoughlan, and others. Due to migration and diaspora, this surname is found both in Ireland and internationally, predominantly in English-speaking countries. The prefix 'Mac' or 'Mc' usually indicates "son of" in Celtic languages, contributing to a vast array of surnames in these cultures.
Order DNA origin analysisMcCaughin: Where does the name McCaughin come from?
The surname McCaughin is of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic name "Mac Eachain," meaning "son of Eachan." Eachan is an old personal name, a diminutive of "Each," which signifies a steed, or a horse. Therefore, the surname McCaughin can implicitly be taken to suggest "son of the horseman." Considering its Gaelic origin, it is likely that the name has its roots in the northern regions of Ireland.
Many Irish surnames were anglicized during the middle of the 19th century, which could explain varying spellings like McCaughan, MacEachan, and more. Tracking its prevalence today is a bit challenging due to the different spellings and possible further changes over the years.
However, it is logical to assume that the name McCaughin, like many other Irish surnames, would be common in areas where Irish emigrants have settled, such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Northern Ireland, being the original geographical origin, would likely also have a significant number of people carrying the McCaughin surname.
Variations of the surname McCaughin
The surname McCaughin is of Irish origin and can have several variants, often derived from the original Gaelic Mac Cochlain or Mac Eachain. Variants of the surname may include McCahon, McCaughan, McEachin, McEachan, MacCahan, and McCahan, to name a few. Variations in spelling often occurred due to transliteration of the name from Gaelic into English, or due to regional accents and pronunciation during census and immigration record collections.
Additionally, some branches of the families may have Anglicized or simplified their surname over time or upon emigration to English-speaking countries, leading to further variants. McCaughan and McCahon, for example, are common in Northern Ireland, while McEachin and McEachan are seen more often in Scotland.
There may also be minor changes in spelling due to clerical errors, such as McHaughin, McCoughen, McCaughen, or McCawin. The variability can be significant due to the name's phonetic nature and the lack of standardized spelling in earlier record-keeping systems. As with all name research, consider all possible variants when tracing genealogical connections.
Despite the numerous variant spellings, each iteration is rooted in the original Gaelic names, indicating a shared lineage or geographical origin.
Famous people with the name McCaughin
- Chauncey McCaughin: American Footballer and member of the Florida Sports Hall of Fame.
- Nick McCaughin: Professional baseball player who has also played for the Seattle Mariners and Cleveland Indians.
- Aaron McCaughin: Canadian Football League punter.
- Paul McCaughin: American actor who has appeared in films such as Slapshot and House of 1000 Corpses.
- Kyle McCaughin: Professional NHL hockey player from Quebec.
- Kelly McCaughin: Voice actress and radio host of the podcast “Itterations” as well as her own radio show ‘The Voices of Kelly”.
- Martin McCaughin: Irish Gaelic footballer.
- Collin McCaughin: Actor, writer, director and producer who has appeared in films such as Saw and Hostel II.
- Erin McCaughin: Sieger Runner Up for Beauty Queen USA 2020.
- Jason McCaughin: Former NFL player who holds the record for the most interceptions in a career with 33.