Surname McEoghainn - Meaning and Origin

McEoghainn: What does the surname McEoghainn mean?

The last name McEoghainn is an Irish name, derived from the Gaelic “Mac Eachthighearna.” The name means “son of the herenagh,” which is an ecclesiastical office in the Irish Church that dates back to the early centuries of the Christian era. The herenaghs were tasked with looking after the funeral arrangements of the early Christians in Ireland, in addition to being the religious representatives of their respective territories. As such, the McEoghainn surname is symbolic of the family's old ties to the Church.

The McEoghainns were among the earliest Dubhgall, or ‘dark foreigners’, to settle in Ireland; Dubhgall being the term used to refer to the known invading forces from the 4th century onwards. From the 5th century onwards, these people had become important members of Irish society, and the McEoghainns were also of noble descent.

In the present day, the McEoghainns are descended from the original weavers of the Ulster Province who were based in the town of Kilrea in Northern Ireland. They are also descended from the Earl of Antrim, meaning they share a long and proud lineage stretching back hundreds of years.

The McEoghainn name is symbolic of a proud and ancient heritage and carries with it a strong connection to the Irish Church. It is a reminder of the importance of the ancient herenaghs, and of the early Dubhgall settlers’ impact on the history of Ireland. Today, the McEoghainns are an important part of the modern Irish identity, and their history and heritage remain strong in the hearts and minds of its people.

McEoghainn: Where does the name McEoghainn come from?

The last name McEoghainn is primarily found today in Ireland, and is a form of the traditional Irish name Mac Eochagain. Irish by origin, it is derived from the ancient Gaelic name Ó Eochagáin, which translates to “grandson or descendant of Eochagán”.

The McEoghainn surname is also common in the United States and Canada, where it has been passed down through generations of Irish emigrants. It may be found especially in places like New York City and Boston, which have large Irish expatriate populations.

The name is spelled many different ways in English, from MacEochagain to McEochagain to McEaghan, but all variants are based on the same original Gaelic surname. In Irish, Eochagáin can also be spelled as Eochagan and Eogháin.

McEoghainn has been historically associated with the Uí Fiachrach dynasty, a powerful Irish kingdom that flourished during the Early Medieval period. The dynasty traces its name back to high king Fiachra mac Eochagain. Today, members of the McEoghainn family often take pride in this historic connection to their ancestors.

Variations of the surname McEoghainn

McEoghainn is an Irish surname derived from the Gaelic Mac Eochagain meaning “descendant of Eochagáin”, a Gaelic personal name originating from the phrase “eacho gaoithis” which can be translated “each of the winds”. Other variants of the surname include: McEoghain, Mac Eochagain, MacEochagain, MacEoghain, MacKeogh, MacKeough, MacKeoghan, MacKaghain, MacKeahan, MacKeighe, MacKeaugh, MacKeoghane, McKeaugh, McKeogh, McKeoghan, McKeahan, McKeigh, McKeoghane and McEaghan.

A common spelling variation of the surname is MacKeogh or MacKeough and this surname is especially predominant in Co Tyrone, where many other variants are still in use today.

McKeogh, MacKaghain and MacKeoghane are found mainly in the rural parts of north Limerick, in Clare and in Kerry. MacEoghain, McEoghain and McKeough are most numerous in Donegal, Leitrim, Sligo and Longford.

The surname McEoghainn is a variant of a number of Irish surnames which have similar roots. The MacKeogh, MacKaghain and MacKeoghane surnames all refer to the same Irish family name that has become established in different areas over the centuries, reflecting the path of Irish emigrants over the centuries.

Famous people with the name McEoghainn

• Liam McEoghainn: Irish actor, director, producer, and writer best known for writing, directing and producing the award-winning short films 'The Final Straw' and 'The Minders'.
• Emma McEoghainn: Scottish actress, director, and voice artist. She is best known for her roles in the television series 'Outlander' and 'The Witches of East End'.
• Barry McEoghainn: Professional snooker player from Scotland.
• Eoghan McEoghainn: Irish Gaelic Football player and coach. He played for Mayo GAA and currently coaches Sligo GAA.
• Padraig McEoghainn: Irish Fianna Fáil politician and former Teachta Dála (TD) for Limerick East.
• Donal McEoghainn: Irish sports journalist and presenter. He was a sports reporter on RTÉ News for RTE Radio One and RTE Television for more than 20 years.
• Fionnuala McEoghainn: Irish-born actress best known for her role as Dr. Breen in the BBC Television sitcom series, Red Dwarf.
• Seán McEoghainn: Professional golfer from Ireland. He competed mainly on the Challenge Tour from 2008-2012.
• Grainne McEoghainn: Irish actress, best known for her roles in the television series 'Vikings', 'Sils Maria' and 'The Tudors'.
• Una McEoghainn: Irish singer-songwriter. She is best known for her cover version of 'Where Have All the Flowers Gone?' which was featured in the Oscar-nominated Irish horror film 'The Devil's Doorway'.

Other surnames

McEoghainMcEoghan