Surname Keahan - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'K'
Keahan: What does the surname Keahan mean?
The last name Keahan is an Irish surname. It is derived from the Gaelic O Cadhain, a personal name meaning "warrior." Historically, the Keahan name was held by members of the O'Cadhain sept of the Uí Fiachraigh dynasty. Located near the town of Ballyhaunis, in County Mayo, this ancient family was widely established and renown for their warlike behavior in defense of their clan and their territory.
During the Plantation of Ulster, the O'Cadhans were forced to flee to Connacht, seeking refuge in territories held by the O'Connors of Mayo. Many of the O'Cadhans changed their name to the anglicized spelling of "Keahan" in an effort to assimilate.
Today, the Keahan name is very commonly held throughout the Irish-speaking region of Connacht. People with the name are proud of their heritage, and take joy in preserving the stories and legends of their ancient ancestors. The Keahan name represents strength, courage, and, above all, a commitment to family and community that persists throughout the generations.
Order DNA origin analysisKeahan: Where does the name Keahan come from?
The last name Keahan is currently most commonly found in Ireland. It can be mostly found in the counties of Kerry and Cork.
The surname originated within the ancient Gaelic septs of Leinster, traditionally associated with County Carlow or County Wexford. While the origin of the last name is uncertain, it is thought to have come about through a number of different sources. One popular theory suggests that it is derived from MacKeaigíne, which means “son of Keaigíne”. Others believe that it was derived from a nickname or a location.
The name has been associated with numerous notable figures throughout history, including Matthew Keaghan, a noted Irish politician, former Member of Parliament for Wexford in the 19th century, and former Lord Mayor of Dublin.
Keahan is also found in parts of England, North America, Australia and New Zealand, as well as many other places around the world. As with many other Irish names, it has found its way overseas over the centuries following the diaspora. It is especially common amongst those with Irish ancestry.
Variations of the surname Keahan
The surname Keahan is an anglicized form of the Gaelic surname O Cathain, which is derived from the personal name Cathain. It is derived from the Latin word “cattān” and the Greek word “kattōn”, which both mean “warrior”.
The variants and spellings of the surname Keaham (or Keaghan, Kahen and Cahen) are all thought to originate from the same source. Other anglicized forms include O'Keehan, Keighan, O'Cahan, O'Kahan, and O'Kaghan. In Scotland, the variant spelling of O'Keheen can also be found.
In Ireland, the surname is a variant of O'Keehan. This variant is more commonly found in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. In America, the surname is most commonly found under its original spelling of O'Keehan or Keaghan, but it can also be found in many variant forms such as Kahan, Keahan, Kahane, Cahane and Cahill.
In England, the surname is usually found under the spellings Keohan, Kahen, Keaghan and Cahen. It is also somewhat common to find spelling variants of the surname in Germany, such as Koehnen and Keihan.
Overall, the variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Keahan are O Cathain, O'Keehan, Keighan, O'Cahan, O'Kahan, O'Kaghan, O'Keheen, Kahan, Kahane, Cahane, Cahill, Keohan, Kahen, Koehnen and Keihan.
Famous people with the name Keahan
- James Keahan: Head Golf Professional at Cog Hill Golf & Country Club in Lemont, IL, and Dean of the PGA Golf Coaches Program
- George Keahan: Award-winning saxophonist, composer, and arranger from New York City
- Chris Keahan: Producer/Songwriter, based in the United Kingdom
- Vivian Keahan: Lead Actress in several Broadway productions
- Hollywood Keahan: American singer-songwriter/musician
- Courtney Keahan: Former professional figure skater
- Clancy Keahan: Award-winning Realtor from Roanoke, VA
- Jack Keahan: American actor, most recently seen in Stranger Things
- Mark Keahan: Voiceover Artist and Radio Presenter
- Jose Keahan: Professional Soccer Player from Mexico