Gavigan Explained

Gavagan is an Irish surname that traces its origins to different local chieftains depending upon the research performed.

Etymology

• 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).
• 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

• 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

External links

• About the name O'Neill
• Boxer Tommy Gavigan
• Southern Uí Néill

Notes and References

1. Book: Hanks, Patrick. The Oxford Dictionary of Family Names in Britain and Ireland. Coates. Richard. McClure. Peter. 2016-11-17. Oxford University Press. 9780192527479. 1026. en.
2. Book: Hanks, Patrick. Dictionary of American Family Names. 2003-05-08. Oxford University Press. 9780199771691. 23. en.
3. Book: MacLysaght, Edward. The Surnames of Ireland. 1985-04-19. Irish Academic Press. 9781911024644. en.