Surname Coggan - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'C'
Coggan: What does the surname Coggan mean?
The surname Coggan is of English origin and is believed to be a variant form of the Old Norse name Kágr, overall suggesting it could be derived from Norse or Scandinavian roots. Etymologically, it may refer to someone who is a maker of cogs or wooden measures as 'coggan' can be related to the Middle English term 'cogge', which pertains to a small boat or a cog. In some contexts, it is also thought to be a diminutive or affectionate form of the personal name Jacob, which means "supplanter". This surname is not common, making it somewhat unique among English surnames. Over time, the spelling of such surnames evolved due to illiteracy or variations in regional dialect; it is also found in records as Cogan, Cogen, and Coggin. As with many surnames, tracing the exact origin can be challenging due to the potential for movement and name changes throughout centuries. Notably, Donald Coggan was a prominent 20th-century Archbishop of Canterbury whose name popularized its recognition.
Order DNA origin analysisCoggan: Where does the name Coggan come from?
The surname Coggan is of English origin. It is believed to have derived from an Anglo-Saxon personal name, specifically a diminutive of the name 'Cogg', meaning a small boat. It may have indicated someone who owned or operated a small boat, thus leading it to become a family name. It could also have been a locational name for someone who lived by a docking area for small boats.
Today, the name Coggan is not overwhelmingly common anywhere in specific. It can be found among individuals in English-speaking countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. In the United Kingdom, it might be slightly more common due to its historical origins. However, none of these countries specifically stand out as having a particularly high prevalence of the surname. As with many surnames, its distribution is likely to be relatively scattered and influenced by patterns of migration and settlement throughout history.
Variations of the surname Coggan
The surname Coggan apparently has roots in the Anglo-Saxon culture of Britain. It is derived from the Old English personal name Coch, which was descended from the nickname 'Cocc' which may mean either 'hill' or 'cock'. This last derivation can mean either a male bird, or a male prostitute.
The name Coggan has appeared in various documents with different spellings throughout history, including Cogan, Coogan, Gogan, Goggin, and Coggins. This surname was first found in Glamorganshire as The Lords of the Manor at Cardiff Castle. The Saxon influence of English history diminished after the Battle of Hastings in 1066. The language of the courts was French for the next three centuries and the Norman ambience prevailed. Surnames of Welsh origin changed significantly with many of them being of Norman and Flemish origin.
Several branches of the family established themselves in Ireland, but the name can mostly be found in England. The variations in the name Coggan are due to the efforts of clerks to record and spell the name of Coggan despite its lack of standardisation. Therefore, research into passenger and immigration lists has revealed individuals bearing the name Coggan, or one of its variants, as they arrived in North America.
Famous people with the name Coggan
- Donald Coggan: He was an Anglican bishop who served as the 101st Archbishop of Canterbury from 1974 to 1980. He was also known for his theological works and served as a member of the House of Lords.
- Lyndon Coggan: Physician from New Zealand who was known for his work in occupational medicine.
- Nick Coggan: A Canadian cricketer who played for the national team in 1979.
- Barbara Coggan: A British sculptor whose works have been displayed in various public spaces in the UK.
- Margaret Coggan: A prominent female figure in English history known as a money-lender, businesswoman, and property developer during the Elizabethan era.
- Andrew Coggan: An exercise physiologist and coach, notable for his contributions to cycling science.
- Rosemary Coggan: She was a notable English organist and music educator.
- J.D. Coggan: An American sculptor and jewelry designer. Please note that this list contains individuals who may have been influential or notable in their specific fields but might not be widely recognized as 'famous' in the general sense.