Surname Keehan - Meaning and Origin
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Keehan: What does the surname Keehan mean?
The last name Keehan has roots in two different cultures. In Irish culture, the name is derived from the Gaelic surname 'Mac Aodhagain,' which is made up of the elements 'mac' (meaning 'son of') and 'Aodhagain' (meaning 'fire.' This surname was attributed to families in the Connacht region of Ireland who were descended from Aodhagan, a brother of the legendary High King Brian Boru.
In Jewish culture, the surname Keehan is derived from the Hebrew 'Kohan,' meaning either 'priest' or 'descendant of Kohanim.' This was traditionally a title of honor referring to individuals from a Jewish priestly family.
Whichever origin it may have, the name Keehan traditionally holds an air of honor and nobility. It speaks to the respect and admiration that certain families have enjoyed throughout the centuries. The bearer of the name is likely to have a strong sense of pride and legacy, and the past generations of success that have come before.
Order DNA origin analysisKeehan: Where does the name Keehan come from?
The last name Keehan is most commonly found today in the United States. According to the U.S. Census Bureau there were 837 Keehan households in the United States in 2017. The most populous states for the last name Keehan are Massachusetts, New York and California. The majority of Keehan households are located in the Northeastern United States and on the West Coast.
The last name Keehan is probably of Irish origin. It is likely a variant of the more common last name, Keohane. In the Irish language, “Keohane” may mean “descendant of Eoghain”; “Eoghain” being a personal name derived from the Old Irish word “eóghan” which means “born of the yew tree”. Therefore, there is reason to believe that the last name Keehan originated from Ireland.
Throughout the 20th and 21st centuries, the number of Keehan households have remained steady in the United States. The United States Census Bureau states the latest population of people with the last name Keehan totaled 837 in 2017. The total number of households with the last name Keehan in the United States was 253 in 1997. The amount of households with the last name Keehan has increased to 837 in 2017.
Overall, the last name Keehan is most commonly found in the United States today and is likely of Irish origin. The number of households with the last name Keehan has been increasing over time, with 837 households in the U.S currently.
Variations of the surname Keehan
Keehan is a surname of Irish origin, and is commonly seen in various variants, spellings, and forms. These variations of the surname Keehan all come from the same origins and some of the more common forms of the name are Kahan, Keahan, Keahane, Kehan, Keegone, Keogan, and Keoghan.
Kahan is a variation originally from the Irish surname Ó Catháin, meaning 'descendant of Cathaoir'. Along similar lines, Keahan, Keahane, or Kehan can be variants of the name coming from the Irish surname Ó Catháin, meaning ‘descendant of Catháin’.
Keogan and Keoghan are likely variants of the surname from the Irish surname Mac Eochagáin, meaning 'son of Eochagán'. Similarly, Keegone can be a variant of Mac Eochagáin or from the Irish surname Ó Ceagáin, meaning 'descendant of Ceagán'.
In Ireland, many settlers seeking a new life in the 19th and 20th centuries Anglicized their native Gaelic names, resulting in a wide array of alternative spellings and surname variants. The different spellings were also adopted in other countries as emigrants moved abroad. All of these surnames share the same origin, though the occasional surname variant may have slightly different origins.
Famous people with the name Keehan
- Bridget Keehan: British author
- Chris Keehan: American professional wrestler
- Emile Keehan: American boxer
- Jenny Keehan: British entrepreneur
- Kathleen Keehan: American Paralympic snowshoer
- Ryan Keehan: Irish hurler
- Amanda Keehan: English footballer
- Caleb Keehan: American politician
- Deirdre Keehan: American music producer
- Erica Keehan: American model and rising star
- Isabella Keehan: British jewellery designer
- Mark Keehan: British theatre director
- Seán Keehan: Irish organist
- Zachary Keehan: American soccer player
- Ashley Keehan: Australian equestrian athlete
- Dave Keehan: British mountaineer and artist
- Gabriel Keehan: American visual effects artist
- Jody Keehan: Canadian snowboarder
- Melissa Keehan: Irish novelist
- Ricky Keehan: Irish soccer manager