Surname Corregan - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'C'
Corregan: What does the surname Corregan mean?
The surname Corregan is of Irish origin. It is thought to be derived from the Gaelic name "O'Corragain," which means "descendant of Corragain". The word “Corragain” itself is believed to come from 'corradh' meaning spear and the diminutive suffix -an. So, the whole name can roughly be interpreted as 'descendant of the little spearman' or 'son of the spearman'. However, the exact meaning often varies by region and lineage, as with many surnames. Apart from Ireland, the surname is also fairly popular in the United States and Canada due to Irish emigration to these countries. Like many Irish surnames, there are several variations in spelling such as Corrigan, Corgan, and Corrigeen.
Order DNA origin analysisCorregan: Where does the name Corregan come from?
The surname Corregan has its roots in Ireland, and it is an anglicized version of the Gaelic name Ó Corragáin. The prefix 'Ó' translates to 'descendant of' in English, and Corragáin is thought to possibly derive from 'corradh,' which means 'spear.' Hence, a tentative translation of the name would be 'descendant of the spear carrier.'
The name Corregan is not particularly common today, which suggests that families with this name likely migrated to different parts of the world and likely anglicized or changed their names in the process. Therefore, the name today is often seen in its variant forms such as Corrigan, Corragan, and Gorgan.
In terms of geographical distribution, it is primarily found in Ireland, and also in countries where Irish people have historically emigrated to, including the United States, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom. In these countries, it remains most common in areas where there are large communities of Irish descent. However, even in these locations, it's relatively uncommon when compared to other surnames of Irish origin.
Variations of the surname Corregan
The surname Corregan can be spelled in a multitude of ways, and is often linked to other similar surnames due to shared origins. These alternative spellings and related surnames frequently stem from Ireland and Scotland, reflecting a Gaelic heritage. Variations can include Corrigan, Corigan, Currigan, Korrigan, Corrigeen, Corgin, Corrigin and Currigin.
Additionally, there are other surnames that are thought to be connected with Corregan. These surnames may not share the same exact spelling but could have evolved from the same root or be influenced by regional accents and local dialects. O'Corrigan, O’Corigan, O'Corragain and Ó Corragáin, with the "O'" prefix signifying "descendant of," are examples.
A few instances of these spellings can be found in historical archives, illustrating the rich and varied history of the Corregan surname. The spelling of surnames was not standardized until the 19th century, and even then, variations persisted due to illiteracy and regional dialects. As a result, it's not uncommon to find several different spellings for the same or related surnames.
Famous people with the name Corregan
There seem to be not many globally recognized famous people with the last name 'Corregan'. However, individuals with the name have achieved success in various fields. One notable person is Billy Corrigan, who is also known as William Patrick Corrigan. He is a famous American musician, best known as the lead vocalist and guitarist of the rock band 'The Smashing Pumpkins'. Other famous people with a similar last name 'Corrigan' include Dave Corrigan, a British nature documentary maker, and Tim Corrigan, an ESPN commentator. There is also Kevin Corrigan, an American actor who has appeared in numerous TV shows and films, including ‘The Departed’. In the world of adult entertainment, there was the famous performer who went by the stage name 'Brent Corrigan'. Please note that the spelling of the last name varies.