Surname Beaghan - Meaning and Origin

Beaghan: What does the surname Beaghan mean?

The last name Beaghan is an Irish name of Gaelic origin. It is derived from the Gaelic phrase 'o' Bheachain', which translates to 'descendant of Bheachain'. In some areas of Ireland, 'Bheachain' is also referred to as 'Beaghan'.

Beaghan is a combination of the prefix 'O', which indicates 'descendant of' and the personal name Bheachain. This name is thought to either come from the old Irish personal name element Becc, which means small and gentle, or from the Irish word Beac, which means little.

Beaghan is a fairly common surname in Ireland, especially in the region of Connacht, where it is believed to have originated. It is also fairly common in Northern Ireland, particularly in County Antrim.

The Beaghan clan is historically associated with the province of Ulster. It is believed that the Beaghan family in Ulster is descended from the Ó Baoighill family, who were erenaghs (hereditary spiritual stewards) of the abbey of Donore. Many members of the Beaghan clan served as policeman and supporters of the Irish independence movement.

The Beaghan surname is still quite common in Ireland today. It is also found in Irish-American communities, where descendants of the Irish diaspora have kept the traditional spelling of the name.

Beaghan: Where does the name Beaghan come from?

The last name Beaghan is most common in Ireland today. It is a fairly rare surname throughout the rest of the world, but it can be found in Ireland, the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, and Australia.

The last name Beaghan is most associated with the Irish Gaelic Ó Beagáin. This surname is thought to have originated in the province of Connaught in Ireland. It is derived from the Gaelic words "beag," which means "little", and "án," which translates to "one".

In Ireland, the last name Beaghan is most widespread in the west of the country, particularly in County Galway. It is here that the name is most popular and has been for hundreds of years. However, there are now Beaghan families located in most of the Irish provinces. It is quite possible to find two or more variations of the Beaghan surname depending on which part of Ireland you explore.

In other countries, the last name Beghan can be found but is much rarer than in Ireland. There are Beaghan families located in cities around the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, and Australia, though in much smaller numbers than in Ireland.

Variations of the surname Beaghan

The Beaghan surname has many variants and spellings, all of which can be traced back to the same Irish origin. The most common variants include Beggan, Beagon, Beegun, Beagan, Begas, Beggan, Beighan, Beahan, Beahan Beighan, Beealan, Beagle, Beeggan, Beagan, Beaghen, and Beghane. Other variants include Beggane, Beighon, Behegan, Beichan, Beighne, Be multiplication, Beacgan, Beechen, Beeghen, and Beechan.

The variations in the Beaghan name can be traced to the original Gaelic form, O' Beagáin. In addition to being a form of one surname, the variants represent many different clans with the same origin. There are at least twelve distinct clans or septs throughout Ireland that share the same surname. These septs take their names from various ancient figures, including Begas, Beaga, and Beagan.

Other forms of the Beaghan surname are due to regional dialects in Ireland, as well as migration to other countries. Variants of the name are found in certain areas in the United States, including Maryland, New York, Virginia, and Pennsylvania. Clans who moved to Scotland left their mark there as well, with variants like Beggan, Spooner, and Donner.

Given the many branches of the Beaghan family, one might assume there is no distinctive spelling or clan associated with the name. However, the numerous spellings of the name signify the multiple origins with one common ground – the Irish origin of the Beaghan surname.

Famous people with the name Beaghan

• Tommy Beaghan: Professional footballer who played for the likes of Grimsby Town and Bradford City.
• Dara Beaghan: Irish singer-songwriter who has released two EP's and performs regularly in her home of Galway.
• Helen Beaghan: British author best known for her novel The Schoolgirl Tree.
• William Beaghan: Archbishop of York from 1945 to 1948.
• Matthew Beaghan: Canadian film and television actor who has most recently been seen in the Disney Channel movie, Descendants 2.
• Tom Beaghan: British cricketer who played a single game for Glamorgan in 1954.
• Harry Beaghan: British tennis player who won the Boys' Singles title at the 1913 Wimbledon Championships.
• Seán Beaghan: Irish Gaelic footballer who played for the Cork GAA team from 1973 to 1983.
• Paddy Beaghan: Member of the Irish parliament from 2002 to 2007.
• Joe Beaghan: American jazz trumpeter and composer who has collaborated with the likes of Dizzy Gillespie, Cab Calloway, and Ray Charles.

Other surnames

Beaghen