Surname Geoghan - Meaning and Origin

Geoghan: What does the surname Geoghan mean?

The last name Geoghan has Irish origins, and can have several meanings. One possible definition is derived from the Irish word ‘Giomach’ , often linked with the clan name ‘Mac Giomach’ ,meaning “son of the fierce one”. Additionally, it is often believed to have derived from the anglicised version of the name ‘Girraghann’ . This was the name of a local family who lived in the district of Effernay, in Donegal, Ireland.

The Geoghan name is also sometimes associated with other Gaelic names such as Mac Geoghegan, Mac Gochown, Mac Guchown, Mac Goginn and Mag Aochain. Ultimately, the name is associated with fierce warriors and sometimes appears with the title ‘Mac’ or ‘O’ added at the beginning, making it all the more unique.

Although hard to trace back to a clear origin, it is understood that the Geoghan name has endured throughout different parts of Ireland for hundreds of years and is still used to this day. The surname is found in areas such as Dublin, Donegal and Tyrone, and other parts of Ireland too.

Geoghan: Where does the name Geoghan come from?

The last name Geoghan is not especially common in modern times. It is likely derived from an old Irish Gaelic surname, Mag Eochagain, which means "son of Eochagain". It was found mainly in County Cork in Ireland and County Armagh in Northern Ireland. In recent times, the name has spread to the other parts of Ireland, the UK, Australia, and the United States.

In the USA, the Geoghan name is mainly concentrated in the states of Massachusetts, New York, and Pennsylvania, with a few other states having small concentrations. It is believed the name was brought to America in the mid 19th century during the Irish potato famine. While the name Geoghan is not particularly prominent in the USA, it has been spotted by genealogists in Ohio, Maryland, Colorado, Michigan, Texas, and California.

The name is also present in Australia, with records showing a Geoghan family emigrating in the 1860’s from County Cork in Ireland. The majority of individuals with this name in Australia are descended from this original immigrant family, and reside mainly in the states of Victoria and New South Wales.

More recently, the name has spread to other parts of the world, including South Africa, Canada, and even India. Individuals associated with the Geoghan name today are likely descended from Irish emigrants who spread the name during the 18th and 19th centuries. While not especially common today, the name has certainly spread throughout the world.

Variations of the surname Geoghan

The surname Geoghan is a Gaelic name for which there are many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. The name is derived from the Irish Gaelic "Mac an Ghabhann" which translates as 'son of the smith'. This is one of the most common Irish surnames. Variations of this name include Mac Geoghegan, MacGeegan, MacGiggan, MacGibbon, MacGehen, MacGahagan, MacGahan, Gogan, Gehan, and Gghan.

The Geoghegan name derives from an ancestor with the title ‘mac’ meaning son and 'an Ghabhann' meaning ‘son of the Smith’. This would have been an occupational surname of someone who was a blacksmith. The spelling variations are the result of an incorrect standardization in records over time. Today other forms of the surname include Geaghan and Geoghegan.

The MacGeoghegan's were one of the great Gaelic families. They are descended from the ancient rulers of western Ireland and trace their descent from the MacEgan family. The Geoghagan’s originated in Fermanagh in the sixteenth century. They were part of the Maguire family who ruled the Fermanagh from the 12th century to 1607.

The surname Geoghan is found throughout Ireland and is particularly common in its most traditional counties, particularly Fermanagh, Longford, Offaly, and Westmeath. It is a well-known surname in parts of America, particularly amongst the Irish diaspora, where it is predominantly concentrated in Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, and Massachusetts.

Famous people with the name Geoghan

• Father John Geoghan: Former Priest, convicted of numerous child sexual abuse charges.
• Margaret Geoghan: British Actress.
• John Geoghan: American attorney and business executive.
• Robert Geoghan: British actor and director.
• Steve Geoghan: Irish hurler and football player.
• Thomas Geoghan: American architect and inventor.
• Paul Geoghan: American journalist and business executive.
• Josiah Geoghan: British soldier in the late 18th century.
• Daniel Geoghan: American theater director and dramatist.
• Patrick Geoghan: Irish writer and dramatist.
• Simon Geoghan: British Army officer in the early 1800s.
• John Geoghan Jr.: American theater critic and playwright.
• Brian Geoghan: British air force pilot during World War II.
• Ryan Geoghan: American basketball player from the 1990s.
• Liam Geoghan: Irish soccer player and manager.
• Tim Geoghan: Canadian actor and filmmaker.
• William Geoghan: British Army colonel during the Crimean War.

Other surnames

GeoghGeoghegan