Surname Dunegan - Meaning and Origin
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Dunegan: What does the surname Dunegan mean?
The last name Dunegan is an Americanized version of the Irish surname O Dubhagain. The name is derived from the Irish word “dubh”, meaning black, and “again”, meaning river. Thus, the literal translation of the name is "black river".
The name is most noted for having been brought to America by the descendants of Irish immigrants. It is believed to have first appeared in the United States around the mid-to-late nineteenth century.
The Dunegan family is very proud of its Irish roots. They have a strong commitment to their faith and identity, and take much pride in honoring their ancestors. In fact, many of the Dunegan family members who have emigrated to the United States have made a point to keep the Irish language alive, by teaching it to younger generations.
Today, the Dunegan name is used around the world, as its members can be found in both the United States and Ireland. This linguistic tradition of the family is proof of resilience and strength in their Irish heritage, as the name is passed down for generations to come.
Order DNA origin analysisDunegan: Where does the name Dunegan come from?
The last name Dunegan is most commonly found in areas around Ireland, Scotland, and the United States. In Ireland, the name Dunegan is concentrated in County Cork, with some common variants such as Dunigan and Dungan. The name was most likely of Scottish origin and may have derived from the Gaelic phrase “dun-eagail,” meaning hill ‘of the heifers.’ In the United States, the name Dunegan is found in a wide variety of states, with most of the population residing in the Midwest and Northeast regions. The states with the highest concentration of Dunegans include Indiana, Pennsylvania, Ohio, New Jersey, Illinois, California, and North Carolina. Furthermore, the surname also appears in other countries such as Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, but at much lower numbers. The name Dunegan is known for having a rich history, especially in the United States where it has been found in numerous federal censuses since the 1790s.
Variations of the surname Dunegan
The surname Dunegan is of Irish origin and is derived from the Gaelic phrase ‘Dún Geanainn’, which translates to ‘Geanann’s fort’. Variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Dunegan include Dunigan, Donigan, Duignan, Dungan, Dundgan, Doonigan, Donnegan, Donagan, Donegan, Donneghan, Donagahn, Doneghan, Dunnigan, Dunnegan, Dunagan, Dunneghan and Dunagin.
The surname is very common in Ireland with many families having descended from the original Gaelic Dun Geanainn. During the Irish migration to the United States, the surname was commonly mistranslated as ‘Dunigan’ and ‘Donegan’. There are also variations of the spelling in other countries such as ‘Duenig’ in Germany and ‘Dunegano’ in Spain.
The name Dunegan can be found in countries such as the United States, Canada, England, Wales, Scotland, Australia, and New Zealand. Most people holding the surname live in counties such as Dublin, Wexford, Cork, Mayo and Laois in Ireland.
In the United States, a few thousand families share the surname Dunegan, with the highest concentration located in New York, Illinois, and Massachusetts. A small number of Dunigan families live in Canada, the country with the second highest concentration of Dunegan families.
In conclusion, the surname Dunegan is originally derived from the Gaelic Dún Geanainn and has many other variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. This surname is common in Ireland and can also be found in many English-speaking countries, such as England, Canada, Australia and the United States.
Famous people with the name Dunegan
- Bill Dunegan: American professional golfer and member of the PGA tour in the late 1970s and early 1980s.
- Bob Dunegan: American blues guitarist, singer and songwriter who has played with acts such as Big Joe Turner and Charlie Rich as well as writing and recording his own songs.
- Janet Dunegan: Chief executive officer and founder of nonprofit organization, Swoopin, which provides community service opportunities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
- Joseph Dunegan: former Major League Baseball player who played for the Red Sox and Baltimore Orioles from 1910 to 1921.
- Alex Dunegan: American R&B/Soul singer and songwriter.
- David Dunegan: American actor best known for roles on television shows such as the Walking Dead and Criminal Minds.
- Michael Dunegan: American poet and author of numerous books including The Portable Voice and The Daughter of the Winds.
- Ronnie Dunegan: American football player who played for the Minnesota Vikings in the 1950s.
- Chris Dunegan: English musician and producer who has worked with a number of prominent bands and solo artists.
- Steve Dunegan: American former professional wrestler and Boxing promoter.