Surname Coghlan - Meaning and Origin

Coghlan: What does the surname Coghlan mean?

The surname Coghlan is of Irish origin, and is derived from the Gaelic word "cuglann" which means a corner of land or a small hill. It was most often used as a toponymic surname, a name derived from the geographic location where a person lived, or in some cases, was born.

The Coghlans were and still are found mainly in the eastern regions of Ireland, with the majority of the family being located in and around County Kerry. The Coghlans are thought to have descended from the Ua Cuinn sept, an ancient Connacht noble family. Their presence in the area dates back to the 13th century and they were a respected family noted for their loyalty to the Fitzgerald dynasty.

The Coghlans were also warriors and soldiers, as well as farmers and merchants. As the family grew, they began to spread across Ireland, as well as to other countries around the world.

Today, the surname Coghlan is still prominent in many countries throughout the world, including the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. It is associated with many successful individuals, including the first president of Ireland, Seán T. O'Kelly, who was of Coghlan origin.

Coghlan: Where does the name Coghlan come from?

The surname Coghlan is most commonly found in Ireland, with its greatest concentration in the province of Munster. Historical records tell us that the Coghlan family were of Norman origin and were granted lands in Ireland during the Middle Ages. Today, the Coghlan surname is still relatively common in Ireland and can be found throughout the country.

The surname Coghlan can also be found across the world in the United States, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom, among other countries. Oftentimes, these families have been living in these countries for generations, with their ancestors having immigrated many years ago to start new lives in their adopted countries.

The Coghlan surname is still in use today, and its bearers can still be found in the countries of their ancestors, as well as in places much further away. If you are related to someone with the Coghlan surname, chances are you are not alone in the world today.

Variations of the surname Coghlan

The surname Coghlan has several variants, spellings and surnames that all stem from the same origin. The most common variant of Coghlan is Coughlan, which may also be spelled as Coughlin. There are also other variants of this surname such as Coglan, Coggan, Caplin, Cahill, Cogley, Caulfield, and Coughill.

Coghlan is of Irish origin and is a surname best associated with the Anglo-Norman invasion of Ireland in 1169. It is derived from the pre-existing Irish surname Mac Caughlaoich, which means “son of Caughlach”. Caughlach is a personal name that dates back to the ancient Celtic era, and it means “battle” or “warrior”. From this, the surname Coghlan literally means “son of a battle” or “son of a warrior”.

The surname Coghlan can also be found in different variations of both spelling and surnames, especially as some people anglicized their name. During the eighteenth century, some Coghlan’s changed their surname to Caufield, Cahill, Coggan, Cogley and Caplin, while others changed it to Coughill.

Other surnames that are closely related to the origin of the Coghlan surname are Congal, Conall, Congan, Conway, Coonan, Conglan, Congoon and Connely. These are all derived from the root surname of Coghlan and may have different spellings, but all have the same origin.

Although the spelling and other surnames associated with Coghlan may differ, all of them originated from the ancient Irish Selty name Mac Caughlaoich, which can be translated to “son of Caughlach”. As the surname Coghlan is of Irish origin, it is often found in the Irish counties of Tipperary, Cork and Sligo, as well as in many other countries around the world.

Famous people with the name Coghlan

• Jaime Coghlan: Chilean football midfielder
• Adam Coghlan: British actor
• Rory Coghlan: Irish rowing athlete
• Peter Coghlan: former British businessman and head of MacMillan Publishers
• Bob Coghlan: former executive of the British Airway Board
• Elizabeth Coghlan: British actress
• Patrick Coghlan: Irish actor
• Jerome Coghlan: former English-Spanish footballer
• Christine Coghlan: English singer-songwriter
• Father Charles Coghlan: former Australian Catholic priest

Other surnames

Coghlane