Surname Meighan - Meaning and Origin
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Meighan: What does the surname Meighan mean?
The surname Meighan, also spelled Meehan, originates from the Irish surname Ó Maoláin, which is derived from the Gaelic word "maol". The literal meaning of the word maol is "bald," and in Irish it usually refers to someone who was shaved bald as a marker of a religious vow. It is also sometimes used as a term of endearment for someone bald or with just a little hair.
The Meighans are believed to have descended from the powerful O'Neill clan, a powerful group of warriors in County Tyrone, Ireland. The O'Neills fought battles against the British for control of the region. In 1095, a branch of the O'Neill clan was driven out of their ancestral home in Ireland and into Scotland, becoming the MacMeighans.
The Meighan family has been associated with the Ring of Kerry region of Ireland for centuries, as well as with Cork and Galway in the province of Connaught. During the Potato Famine in the mid-19th century, some members of the Meighan family emigrated abroad, mainly to the United States, Canada, and Australia.
The surname Meighan is quite common in Ireland, and today people with this surname in the English-speaking world are of mostly Irish descent. In the US, Meighans are most numerous in New York, followed by Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and New Jersey.
Order DNA origin analysisMeighan: Where does the name Meighan come from?
Meighan is a surname that originated in Britain and Ireland. Today, families who bear this surname can be found in many parts of the world. In the United States, the surname is most commonly found in states in the South and the Midwest. In particular, Meighan is a very common surname in the states of Alabama, Georgia, Florida, and Mississippi. It is also commonly found in the states of Indiana, South Carolina, and Texas. The surname is also widespread in Canada, particularly in Ontario and British Columbia. In the United Kingdom, the Meighan surname is primarily found in the northern part of the country, especially in England’s North West region. Its prevalence is particularly high in the counties of Lancashire and Greater Manchester. Smaller pockets can also be found in Scotland and parts of Wales, particularly in the South. In other parts of Europe, the surname can be found in France, Germany, Sweden, and the Netherlands. In addition, it is also common in Australia, New Zealand, and other parts of the Commonwealth of Nations. In recent decades, an increasing number of Meighan families have also made their homes in parts of Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East.
Variations of the surname Meighan
Meighan is an ancient and unique surname of Irish origin, likely originating from the Ó Meacháin clan of Ulster. It is mostly found in County Waterford in Ireland, and is thought to derive from the Irish Gaelic phrase ‘meacháin’, meaning ‘kindly’.
Variants of the surname Meighan include: Meaghan, Meagan, MacKegan, MacKeaghan, and McKagen. Each of these spelling variations were primarily used in different regions or on different continents to differentiate between generations or families; for instance, the ‘Mac’ prefix was common in Scotland, and ‘Mc’ in Ireland.
The name has also been anglicized to Meehan and Meegans, among others, and is now found as a relatively common surname in the Irish diaspora in Britain and the USA.
Some researchers suggest that the surname may also take the form of: Menihan, Monaghan, and Morning. These are more specialized surnames, however, and are not linked to the original Meighan clan from Ireland.
Although the original spelling of the Meighan surname has not changed, more than forty variants of the name can be found in genealogical sources. The spelling variations are often directly linked to immigration, cultural differences, and literacy levels, giving researchers a unique insight into the family’s history.
Famous people with the name Meighan
- Kevin Meighan: an American actor who is best known for his comedic roles, appearing in numerous feature films, television series, and multiple voiceover roles.
- Tom Meighan: British singer and frontman of the rock band Kasabian.
- Dan Meighan: American actor who starred in numerous movies and television shows, most notably an appearance on Saturday Night Live.
- Bruce Meighan: British actor, playwright, and poet, best known for his roles in the series Blackadder and To the Manor Born.
- Priscilla Meighan: one of the first successful African American female investors in the stock market.
- Arthur Meighan: a Nebraska politician who served as the the state's Speaker of the House of Representatives and was the president of the University of Nebraska's Board of Regents.
- Frances Meighan: British actress, best known for playing Ronnie Winslow in the BBC Radio series The Radio Detectives.
- Alison Meighan: Canadian ACTRA winning actress, best known for her roles on television shows such as Catwalk and Redwall.
- William Meighan: American stunt performer and stunt coordinator, with over 25 years of experience in the film industry.
- Donald Meighan: American lyricist and composer, who wrote songs for popular films such as The Jungle Book and Up.