Show ContentsBahen History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The Irish name Bahen comes from the Gaelic name Ó Beachain, possibly derived from the word "beach," which means "bee." It was also an Anglicized version of the Gaelic personal name Beathán, from "beatha," meaning "life." 1

Early Origins of the Bahen family

The surname Bahen was first found in County Kerry (Irish:Ciarraí) part of the former County Desmond (14th-17th centuries), located in Southwestern Ireland, in Munster province, where they held a family seat from ancient times.

Early History of the Bahen family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bahen research. Another 52 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Bahen History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Bahen Spelling Variations

Because early scribes and church officials often spelled names as they sounded, a person could have many various spellings of his name.Many different spelling variations of the surname Bahen were found in the archives researched. These included Behan, Beehan, Beaghan, O'Behan, Beehan, Beagan, O'Beaghan, O'Behen, Behen and many more.

Early Notables of the Bahen family

More information is included under the topic Early Bahen Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Bahen family

A massive wave of Irish immigrants hit North America during the 19th century. Although many early Irish immigrants made a carefully planned decision to leave left Ireland for the promise of free land, by the 1840s immigrants were fleeing a famine stricken land in desperation. The condition of Ireland during the Great Potato Famine of the late 1840s can be attributed to a rapidly expanding population and English imperial policies. Those Irish families that arrived in North America were essential to its rapid social, industrial, and economic development. Passenger and immigration lists have revealed a number of early Irish immigrants bearing the name Bahen: James Behan who arrived in New York City in 1822; Henry Behan settled in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1854; Michael Beehan settled in Philadelphia in 1868.


Contemporary Notables of the name Bahen (post 1700) +

  • John Bahen (1943-2017), Australian rules footballer for the Fitzroy Football Club (1962-1967)
  • Gerald Edmund "Gerry" Bahen (1929-2012), Australian rules football player and administrator from Wembley, Western Australia


  1. MacLysaght, Edward, The Surnames of Ireland. Ireland: Irish Academic Press, sixth edition, 1985. Print. (ISBN 0-7165-2366-3)


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