The surname Keegan, with its variations Keagan and Kegan, is of Irish origin. It is derived from the Gaelic name Mac Aodhagáin, meaning 'son of Aodhagán'. The name Aodhagán is a diminutive of Aodh, which means 'fire' in Gaelic. Therefore, the surname Keegan can be loosely translated as 'son of the fiery one' or 'son of the little fire'.
The Keegan surname is most commonly found in Ireland, where it has a long history. According to data, Ireland has the third highest incidence of the Keegan surname, with 4,254 individuals bearing the name. The surname is particularly prevalent in counties such as Dublin, Kildare, and Wicklow.
Many Keegan families in Ireland can trace their roots back to ancient Gaelic clans, such as the O'Keegan clan. These clans were part of the rich tapestry of Irish history and played important roles in shaping the country's culture and traditions.
As Irish immigrants began to settle in the United States in the 19th and 20th centuries, they brought their surnames with them. The Keegan surname is now one of the most common Irish surnames in America, with 14,017 individuals carrying the name. It can be found across the country, from New York to California.
Many Keegan families in the United States take pride in their Irish heritage and may still maintain connections to their ancestral homeland. St. Patrick's Day is often a time for Keegan families to celebrate their Irish roots.
While the Keegan surname is most strongly associated with Ireland and the United States, it is also found in other countries around the world. The United Kingdom, particularly England and Scotland, has a significant number of individuals with the Keegan surname, with 4,470 and 565 incidences respectively.
Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa also have notable populations of Keegans, with 2,562, 487, and 892 incidences respectively. The surname has even made its way to countries such as Argentina, Canada, and Kenya, albeit in smaller numbers.
Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals with the surname Keegan. Kevin Keegan, a former English footballer and manager, is perhaps one of the most well-known. He had a successful playing career with clubs such as Liverpool and Hamburg, as well as managing the England national team.
In the world of entertainment, Michael Keegan-Key is a prominent actor and comedian known for his work on the sketch comedy show "Key & Peele". His comedic talents have earned him numerous awards and accolades.
The Keegan surname has a rich history and has spread far beyond its Irish roots. From Ireland to the United States and beyond, Keegan families continue to celebrate their heritage and make their mark on the world.
Globalization has meant that surnames spread far beyond their nation of origin, such that it is possible to get African surnames in Europe or Indian surnames in Oceania. The same occurs when it comes to Keegan, which as you can corroborate, it may be stated that it's a surname which can be present in most of the nations regarding the world. In the same way you will find countries by which truly the density of people with the surname Keegan is more than far away.
The chance of examining for a world map about which countries hold more Keegan on earth, assists us a great deal. By placing ourselves in the map, on a concrete nation, we are able to see the concrete amount of people utilizing the surname Keegan, to have in this way the precise information of the many Keegan that you can currently get in that nation. All of this additionally helps us to understand not just where the surname Keegan originates from, but also in what manner individuals who're originally part of the family members that bears the surname Keegan have relocated and relocated. Just as, it is possible to see in which places they will have settled and grown up, which explains why if Keegan is our surname, it appears interesting to which other nations associated with the globe it is possible this one of our ancestors once moved to.