Feahan History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Ireland

The surname Feahan is derived from the Gaelic "O Faodhagain," which in turn comes from the Latin word "paganus," which refers to a "villager" or "peasant."

Early Origins of the Feahan family

The surname Feahan was first found in County Tyrone (Irish:Tír Eoghain), the ancient territory of the O'Neills, now in the Province of Ulster, central Northern Ireland, where they settled in early times.

Early History of the Feahan family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Feahan research. Another 150 words (11 lines of text) covering the years 1250, 1423, 1638, 1663 and 1718 are included under the topic Early Feahan History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Feahan Spelling Variations

In the days before Gaelic or English gained any significant semblance of standardization, the scribes who created documents simply recorded names as they sounded. Consequently, in the Middle Ages many people were recorded under different spellings each time their name was written down. Research on the Feahan family name revealed numerous spelling variations, including Fagan, Faggan, Fagin, Feagan, Fegan, Feighan, Fieghan and many more.

Early Notables of the Feahan family

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

Feahan migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Feahan Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Patrick Feahan, aged 25, a ploughman, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Chile" in 1874

The Feahan Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Deo partriaeque fidelis
Motto Translation: Faithful to God and my country.