Arthur, William (1857) An Etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian Names. New York: Sheldon, Blakeman. Public Domain.
VAUGHAN
As described in historical dictionaries
An Etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian Names (1857)
(origin: Welsh.) The same as Bychan or Vychan, little, small in stature.
Patronymica Britannica (1860)
VAUGHAN. Welsh vychan, little in stature ; answering to Petit, Basset, Little, &c. A personal name of great antiquity. In the more eminent families, the Ap was disused in the XVI. and XVII. centuries. The Vaughans of Burlton Hall, co. Salop, deduce themselves from the renowned Tudor Trevor, tlie common patriarch of so many noble and gentle families in the priucipalit}'. Tlie Vaughans of Penmaen spring from Seissyllt, lord of Blathavaru, in the XIV. century, through Jcukin Vychan, Esquire of the body to King Henry VII., Avhose son Jolm, adopted the settled name of Vychan or Vaughan. The Vaughans of Court Field, co. Monmouth, were of good antiquity before the adoption of the settled surname, in the XVI. cent. B.L.G.
Lower, Mark A (1860) Patronymica Britannica: a dictionary of the family names of the United Kingdom. London: J.R. Smith. Public Domain.
Surname type: Nickname
Origin: English
Region of origin: British Isles
Country of origin: England
Religion of origin: Christian
Language of origin: English