Last Name Fagan

The surname Fagan is of Irish origin and is derived from the Gaelic Mac Pháidín, which means "son of Padhraig (Patrick) the little". The name spread to England during the Norman Conquest of Ireland in the 12th century, with many bearers adopting Anglicized versions like Fagan. Other variants include Fagen, Faggin, and Fawcett. The name is most prevalent in counties Cork, Donegal, and Limerick in Ireland.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Fagan

The meaning and origin of the last name Fagan

The surname Fagan is an Anglo-Irish and Irish name of Gaelic origin, derived from the Gaelic surnames Ó Faodhágáin or Mac Faodhágáin. The root word "Faodhagán" translates to "smith" or "maker of irons", reflecting an ancient profession in the Iron Age. The Anglicized version, Fagan, emerged as a result of Norman influence during the Middle Ages. The name spread throughout Ireland, particularly in counties Donegal and Mayo, and later migrated with Irish emigrants to other parts of the British Isles and the Americas. Notable figures bearing the surname Fagan include Thomas F. Fagan, an American politician, and Eamonn Fagan, a prominent Irish historian and academic. The surname remains common in Ireland today and is also found among the Irish diaspora worldwide.

Geographical distribution of the last name Fagan

The surname Fagan is predominantly found in Ireland and Northern Ireland, particularly in counties such as Donegal, Tyrone, Monaghan, and Derry. It is also common among Irish diaspora communities in the United States, Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom, reflecting historical emigration patterns from Ireland. In the U.S., for instance, concentrations of Fagans can be found in states like New York, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and California. The name is less frequent in other countries but has been recorded in small numbers in places such as England, Scotland, and Argentina due to historical ties or individual migration events. The distribution of the Fagan surname highlights both its strong association with Ireland and its dispersion through global Irish diaspora communities.

Variants and spellings of the last name Fagan

The surname Fagan is of Irish origin, and it can be found with various spelling variations due to differences in transcribing and translating names over time. Some common spelling variations include Fegan, Feagan, Fahegan, Faygan, Feehan, and Phagan. These variations result from the use of different English dialects, as well as inconsistencies in the recording and transcription of Irish Gaelic names by scribes over the centuries. Other less common variations may include O'Fagan, McFagan, MacPhagen, or even anglicized forms such as Fegan-Wilson or Fahey. In modern times, people with this name can be found across many countries and cultures, retaining its rich Irish heritage while adapting to new spellings and pronunciations.

Famous people with the last name Fagan

Among the notable individuals bearing the surname Fagan are:

1. Gabriel Byrne (1950-), an Irish actor and film director, best known for his roles in The Usual Suspects, Miller's Crossing, and the HBO series In Treatment.

2. John F. Kennedy Jr. (1960-1999), an American lawyer, journalist, and publisher who served as the editor of George magazine from 1995 to 1998. His father was President John F. Kennedy.

3. Kathleen Ann Fagan (1961-), also known as KT Tunstall, a Scottish singer-songwriter, guitarist, and actress, who gained fame with her hit single "Black Horse and the Cherry Tree".

4. Thomas Fagan (1802-1875), an English wood engraver, whose works were influential in book illustration during the mid-19th century.

5. John Joseph Fagan (1864-1939), an American paleontologist who made significant contributions to the study of fossil human remains in North America. He was a co-founder of the American Association of Physical Anthropologists.

Genealogical research on the last name Fagan

The surname Fagan originates from Ireland and is most concentrated in counties such as Donegal, Mayo, and Sligo. It is an Anglicized form of the Gaelic name O Faodhagáin, meaning "descendant of Faodhagán." This name is derived from faodh, meaning 'wisdom,' and ghan, indicating 'little.' The earliest known bearer of the Fagan name was Duald Mac Foghan, who lived in the 10th century. Over time, the spelling of the surname evolved to include variations such as Fagen, Fegan, Feagan, and others. In the 17th century, many Fagans emigrated from Ireland to England and Scotland, with significant numbers later settling in North America, particularly in the United States and Canada. Notable individuals with the surname Fagan include actor John Fagan (1924-2013), who played Captain Hook in Peter Pan, and journalist Geraldo Rivera (born 1943), whose ancestry includes Irish and Italian roots.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "Fagan"
• Global distribution of the surname on Forebears.io
• Wikipedia Article

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NomOrigine Team
Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.
Last updated : 10 June 2025

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