Galligan

Galligan is a surname of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic name "Ó Gealagáin," which means "descendant of Gealagán." The Gealagán was a personal name derived from the word "geal," meaning "bright" or "white."

Origins

The Galligan surname originated in County Cavan and County Monaghan in Ireland. The Galligan family are considered to be part of the ancient Gaelic tribes of Ireland, with a history dating back centuries.

Notable Individuals

Michael Galligan - a prominent figure in Irish politics, who served as a Member of Parliament for County Cavan.

Sarah Galligan - a renowned artist known for her landscape paintings inspired by the Irish countryside.

Legacy

The Galligan surname has spread beyond Ireland to other parts of the world, particularly the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, and Australia. Many individuals bearing the Galligan name have made significant contributions in various fields, including politics, the arts, and academia.

References

  • O'Connor, Edward. The Gaelic Names of Irish Surnames. Dublin: Irish Academic Press, 2003.
  • MacLysaght, Edward. The Surnames of Ireland. Dublin: Irish Academic Press, 1985.

There are approximately 568 people named Galligan in the UK. That makes it one of Britain's least common surnames. Only around nine in a million people in Britain are named Galligan.

Origin: Celtic

Region of origin: British Isles

Country of origin: Ireland

Religion of origin: Christian

Language of origin: Gaelic

Typical given names associated with the surname

Male

  • Andrew
  • Daniel
  • Edward
  • Ian
  • James
  • John
  • Michael
  • Patrick
  • Paul
  • Peter
  • Stephen
  • Thomas

Female

  • Angela
  • Deborah
  • Elizabeth
  • Fiona
  • Jennifer
  • Julia
  • Kathleen
  • Laura
  • Margaret
  • Martha
  • Mary
  • Nicola
  • Sara
  • Sarah
  • Yvonne

Similar and related surnames

Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.

BritishSurnames.uk is a Good Stuff website.