Surname Gallegher - Meaning and Origin
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Gallegher: What does the surname Gallegher mean?
The surname Gallegher is of Irish origin and it is an anglicized version of the Gaelic name Ó Gallchobhair, Ó Gallchóir or Gallchóir. The meaning of this Gaelic name is very interesting, as it translates to "foreign help" or "helper of the foreigner." This surname is connected to the region of County Donegal in Ireland. It suggests that the ancestors of bearers of this surname were people who were known for offering aid or assistance to strangers or foreigners in their community. Over time, the surname has had different anglicized versions and spellings, including Gallagher, Gallaher, and Gallegher, among others. It is one of the most common surnames in Ireland. Despite its commonness in Ireland, it is also quite widespread globally due to the Irish diaspora, especially in countries like the United States, Australia, and Canada.
Order DNA origin analysisGallegher: Where does the name Gallegher come from?
The last name Gallegher is likely a variant of the surname Gallagher, originated from the Irish “O Gallchobhair”, which broadly means "descendant of the foreign helper". It is linked with County Donegal in the Northwest part of Ireland where it is notably common. The name appeared frequently in early medieval texts in Ireland. The original Gaelic form of the name is O Gallchobhair, derived from the word "gallchobhar", signifying "foreign help".
Over the centuries, due to migration and emigration, the Gallegher/Gallagher name has spread to various parts of the world. Today, the name is relatively common in English-speaking countries like the United States, Canada, Australia, and the UK. However, the name's density remains the highest in Ireland. Furthermore, a variant spelling of Gallagher is the second most common surname in Donegal. Globally, it's estimated that approximately 133,000 people bear the Gallagher surname making it the 889th most prevalent surname in the world.
Variations of the surname Gallegher
The surname Gallegher has Irish origins and there exist multiple variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin.
The most common of these is Gallagher, which is the Anglicised form of the Gaelic "O Gallchobhair" or "O Gallchobhoir" meaning "foreign help."
However, spelling variations over time have led to many versions of the name. Some other variants include Gallager, Gallaher, Gallecher, Gallogher, Galligher, Gallaugher, and Galliher.
Gallagher is one of the most frequent surnames in Ireland, primarily found in the north-west of the country in County Donegal. The surname is also found in great numbers in Northern Ireland. Due to migration, the Gallagher name and its variants can be found across the globe, particularly in countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom.
In addition, many of these surname variants including Gallegher have been found in early American immigration records, demonstrating the spread of the surname and its variants across the world. Despite the many spelling variants, all versions carry the same origins and meaning.
Famous people with the name Gallegher
- Liam Gallagher: A British musician and songwriter known as the lead singer for the rock band Oasis. After the band broke up, he formed Beady Eye and pursued a successful solo career.
- Noel Gallagher: Brother to Liam Gallagher and renowned guitarist, singer and songwriter. He was the primary songwriter for Oasis until their dissolution.
- Peter Gallagher: A prominent American actor, musician, and writer. He's famous for various roles in films, TV shows, and theater, particularly in "American Beauty" and "The O.C".
- Sean Gallagher: An Irish entrepreneur and business advisor, he was also a candidate for the 2011 and 2018 Irish presidential elections.
- Rory Gallagher: An Irish blues and rock multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and bandleader, known for his vigorous and pioneering guitar skill.
- Katie Gallagher: An American fashion designer who has essentially become a staple of New York Fashion Week. Please note that the spelling of the surname varies as Gallagher and Gallegher. The most common spelling is "Gallagher". Therefore, the list includes individuals using this spelling.