Surname Feehin - Meaning and Origin
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Feehin: What does the surname Feehin mean?
The last name Feehin is an Irish surname deriving from the Gaelic Ó Fiodhna. It is translated to mean 'descendant of Fiodhnacht'. Fiodhnacht was an early Irish god of battle, kingship and harvest, so the surname Feehin is associated with strength, courage and energy. There are several variants of this name, including Feehily, Feely, Foyne and Fionn.
The Feehin's are mainly found in County Clare, Ireland. Records show the name has been in existence since at least the 13th century, making it quite an old Irish surname. It is also quite rare compared to many other Irish surnames.
The origins of the Feehin name can be traced to Fionn Mac Cumhail, who was a legendary leader of the Fiannaí in Irish mythology. Fionn Mac Cumhail was renowned for many things, such as his wisdom, courage and insight. His brave exploits mean that unsuspecting onlookers are often surprised by the strength of character embodied by members of the Feehin family.
The name Feehin is one that still carries prestige and power, even today. This is because of its long and varied history and its link with Fionn Mac Cumhail. Members of the Feehin family are often held in high regard in their local communities, due to their ancestor’s links with bravery, strength, and honour.
Order DNA origin analysisFeehin: Where does the name Feehin come from?
The Feehin surname is an old Irish name and is mainly found the province of Connacht in the West of Ireland today. It is known as a variant spelling of the Irish O’Feehin and the name can be translated to mean “descendant of Aodhán” which was originally a personal name meaning “little fire”. The name is also found throughout America and England, with many emmigrating to these countries in the 1800s.
In America, the Feehin surname is most commonly found in Pennsylvania, where 19th century immigrants often settled. The US Census suggests that the name was also present in other states such as New York, North Carolina and Massachusetts.
In England, according to the 1881 British Census, the name was found mainly in areas such as Cheshire, Derbyshire, Lancashire and Yorkshire.
The surname is still relatively common in Ireland today and its modern spellings are Feehan or Feenan. The highest concentration of the name can be found in Galway, Mayo and Leitrim in the west of the country, but it is also present in many other counties across the country too.
Throughout the world, the Feehin name is a reminder of the Irish emmigration story and the generations who left the homeland to start new lives.
Variations of the surname Feehin
The Feehin surname is a variant of the ancient Irish Gaelic surname Ó Faoithín, which translates to “descendant of Faoithín”. It is a patronymic surname, which means it is derived from the father’s given name or forename. Faoithín, or Faotaine, is an old Irish masculine first name of uncertain origin but may be related to faobhar, the Irish word for “a place of shelter”.
The variants and spellings of this surname include Feehan, Fehan, Fiehan, Fahan, Fahane, Fehehan, Faheeney, Fehane, Fehene, Feheeney, O’Feehan, Feehane, Faheeny, Feeney, Feeney, O’Feehane, and O’Fahane.
The surname Faoithín may have been Anglicised in some cases as similarly sounding Feehin, Fennan and Fernon.
Other surnames derived from the same Gaelic origin include Fahy, O’Feeney, Fegan, Fehilly, O’Fainne, O’Findan, O’Fnoonan, O’Fionordain, O’Finneran, Feely, Fiannan, Finlay, and Fionudain.
Famous people with the name Feehin
- John Feehin: John is an Australian sports star. He holds several records in Athletics, for his achievements in Men's High Jumping as well as being the only Australian to conduct a sub-four-minute Mile.
- Robert Feehin: Robert is a musician from Ireland. He is highly respected in the Irish traditional music scene, having been nominated for multiple Irish Music Awards and winning many of them, in particular the prestigious Gradam award in 2017.
- Karen Feehin: Karen is an Australian artist. She has been featured in major exhibitions around the world, including the Warren Manning Prize in Australia, the Variable Dimensions Exhibition in London and the NOVA Biennale in Italy.
- Terence Feehin: Terence is an Irish politician and businessman. He is a former Minister for Enterprise and Innovation, and a current member of the Senate of Ireland, as well as chairman of the board of a major energy company.
- Patrick Feehin: Patrick is an American sports coach. He is best known for his time as head coach of the Denver Broncos, where he won back-to-back Super Bowls before moving on to become the head coach of the Ohio State Buckeyes.