Surname Carrigan - Meaning and Origin
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Carrigan: What does the surname Carrigan mean?
The last name Carrigan is of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic name "O Corragain,"meaning "descendant of Corragain". The term "Corragain" refers to a spear or a small pointed object, suggesting a person who is sharp, pointed, and alert. It originated in County Fermanagh in Northern Ireland, where the family held a family seat from ancient times. Carrigan is thus an anglicized form of this Gaelic surname. People with the Carrigan surname are believed to be descendants of the Irish clan O'Corragain. Like many Irish families, members of the O'Corragain clan were widely dispersed as a result of political upheavals, famine, and economic reasons, resulting in the Carrigan surname being found not only in Ireland but extensively throughout the English-speaking world today.
Order DNA origin analysisCarrigan: Where does the name Carrigan come from?
The surname Carrigan is of Irish origin, deriving from the Gaelic "Ó Corragáin," meaning "descendant of Corragán" or "grandson of Corragán." The name Corragán itself is a diminutive of the personal name "Corr," meaning "spear." This patronymic surname belongs to a sept that was part of the larger Ui Maine tribal grouping in eastern Connacht in Ireland.
Today, the Carrigan surname retains its greatest prevalence in Ireland, notably in the Leinster region, where the family held a family seat since ancient times. However, due to Irish diaspora, the surname is also now common in other parts of the world. Following waves of Irish emigration, it can frequently be found in the United States, Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom.
Variations of the surname Carrigan
The surname Carrigan originates from Irish Gaelic, specifically from the name Ó Corragáin signifying descendent of Corragán. Variants and spellings can include inconsistently anglicized forms such as Corrigan, Currigan, Kerrigan, Carraghan, and Carrighan. The prefix “O” is sometimes added before the name, reflecting the original Irish format (O'Carrigan or O'Corrigan). Distinct phonetic variants andmisspelt versions, can also exist in other languages or regions due to local influences, transcription errors, or personal choices. Additionally, families might have altered their surnames over time for a variety of reasons, leading to further versions. Surnames of the same origin could be based on the root name Corragán, or analogous Irish surnames denoting family relationships and/or characteristics. Despite the wide potential range of spellings, the most common versions are likely to be Carrigan and Corrigan. This name is also found in the regions surrounding Ireland, such as Scotland and Wales, and anywhere Irish people have emigrated, like the US, Australia, and Canada. In each location, distinct versions of the name might exist.
Famous people with the name Carrigan
- Barbara Carrigan: An American actress known for her role in the movie "Green Card."
- Barbara Carrigan: She was one of the pioneers of women's journalism in Britain.
- Dan Carrigan: an American TV journalist for ABC27 news.
- Erin Carrigan: A stage actress and teacher known for performances with the Everyman Theater Group.
- Virginia Carrigan: A media and marketing executive with experience in creating global brands.
- Kim Carrigan: An Australian TV presenter, radio broadcaster, and journalist.
- Niamh Carrigan: An Irish actress and playwright known for her work in the Dublin theater scene.
- Neil Carrigan: An American football player who played for the Seattle Seahawks in the NFL.
- Terry Carrigan: An Australian rules footballer who played for Collingwood Football Club in the Victorian Football League (VFL).
- Christina Carrigan: A British actress known for her roles in popular TV shows such as "Doctors" and "EastEnders."
- Pat Carrigan: An Australian professional rugby league footballer.
- Bill Carrigan: An American professional baseball player and manager in Major League Baseball (MLB).
- Chris Carrigan: An American soccer player who played for several teams in Major League Soccer (MLS).
- Gene Carrigan: A former wrestler and coach, known for his career in the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA). Please note, some of these names may be more well-known within specific regions or industries.