Gavigan
Gavagan is an Irish surname that traces its origins to different local chieftains depending upon the research performed.
Etymology
[edit]- From County Mayo, Ireland, a local Irish chieftain called "Gabhadhan", the old Gaelic might have been something like, when the grammatical séimhiú is represented by the letter "h", "Ó Gáibhtheacháin".[1][2] This might be translated to signify "the Anxious One".
- From "Mag Eachagáin" (son of Eachagán, in turn a diminutive of the personal name Eachadh).[1][2]
- From the southern O'Neill or (as written in Irish) Uí Néill clan of Geoghegan,[3] "Gabhachan" from north Leinster and Ulster, cattle grazers on pasture lands. "Gabha" might signify or mean a blacksmith.
The motto upon the Gavigan family coat of arms may be translated to mean Always ready to serve my king and country.
Notable people with the name
[edit]- Joseph A. Gavagan (1892–1968), American politician
- Martin Gavigan, Irish former Gaelic footballer
- Michelle Gavagan (born 1990), environmentalist and beauty queen from the Philippines
- Peter Gavigan (1897–1977), Scottish footballer
- Annette McGavigan (1957–1971), casualty of the Troubles
- Ruth McGavigan (born 1976), Scottish mountain biker
- Jim Gaffigan (born 1966), American comedian
References
[edit]- ^ a b Hanks, Patrick; Coates, Richard; McClure, Peter (17 November 2016). The Oxford Dictionary of Family Names in Britain and Ireland. Oxford University Press. p. 1026. ISBN 9780192527479.
- ^ a b Hanks, Patrick (8 May 2003). Dictionary of American Family Names. Oxford University Press. p. 23. ISBN 9780199771691.
- ^ MacLysaght, Edward (19 April 1985). The Surnames of Ireland. Irish Academic Press. ISBN 9781911024644.