| ![Show Contents]() Behen History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
The Irish name Behen 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 Behen familyThe surname Behen 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 Behen familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Behen research. Another 52 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Behen History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Behen Spelling VariationsBecause 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 Behen 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 Behen familyMore information is included under the topic Early Behen Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
 Behen migration to the United States | + |
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 Behen:
Behen Settlers in United States in the 18th Century- Coneradt Behen, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1732 2
- Katharine Behen, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1732 2
- Maria Christiana Behen, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1732 2
Behen Settlers in United States in the 19th Century- Thomas Behen, age 36, settled in New York City in 1822
- Daniel Behen, who landed in Maryland in 1843 2
- Thomas Behen, who settled in Philadelphia in 1846
- Denis Behen, who arrived in Allegany (Allegheny) County,Pennsylvania in 1852 2
| Behen migration to Canada | + |
Some of the first settlers of this family name were: Behen Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century- Margaret Behen, aged 30, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1834 aboard the brig "Fenwick Keating" from Liverpool, England
- Margaret Behen Junior, aged 10, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1834 aboard the brig "Fenwick Keating" from Liverpool, England
| Contemporary Notables of the name Behen (post 1700) | + |
- William C. Behen, American Democratic Party politician, Candidate for Michigan State Senate 14th District, 1936 3
- James J. Behen, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Delaware, 1936 3
- MacLysaght, Edward, The Surnames of Ireland. Ireland: Irish Academic Press, sixth edition, 1985. Print. (ISBN 0-7165-2366-3)
- Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
- The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2016, January 29) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
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Behen migration to the United States 
Behen migration to Canada 
Germany
Ireland
