Fegan History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

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Ireland

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The surname Fegan 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 Fegan family

The surname Fegan 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 Fegan family

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

Fegan 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 Fegan family name revealed numerous spelling variations, including Fagan, Faggan, Fagin, Feagan, Fegan, Feighan, Fieghan and many more.

Early Notables of the Fegan family

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

Fegan Ranking

In the United States, the name Fegan is the 16,953^rd most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 1

Fegan migration to the United States +

Many Irish families left the English-controlled Ireland in the 19th century. Early immigrants were primarily after land and the opportunity of living a life entirely of their own fashioning. In the 1840s, this pattern of immigration changed as the Great Potato Famine struck Ireland. Hundreds of thousands left the diseased and starving island with little expectations but many hopes. By this time there was very little available land in the east, so many immigrants joined the movement for the western frontier lands, or settled in established urban centers. Irish immigrants not only made enormous contributions to the rapid development and population of North America, but they also brought with them a rich cultural heritage. Immigration and passenger ship lists show some important early immigrants bearing the name Fegan:

Fegan Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Jean Fegan, who arrived in Louisiana in 1718 2
Daniel Fegan, who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1773 2
Hugh Fegan, who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1773 2

Fegan Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Margaret Fegan, who landed in America in 1805 2
Ter Fegan, who landed in America in 1805 2
Terence Fegan, aged 21, who arrived in New York, NY in 1805 2
Michael Fegan, aged 27, who landed in Vermont in 1812 2
Patrick Fegan, aged 23, who arrived in New York in 1812 2
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Fegan migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Fegan Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Miss. Ann Fegan who immigrated to Canada, arriving at the Grosse Isle Quarantine Station in Quebec aboard the ship "Triton" departing from the port of Liverpool, England but died on Grosse Isle in 1847 3
Mrs. Ann Fegan, aged 30 who immigrated to Canada, arriving at the Grosse Isle Quarantine Station in Quebec aboard the ship "Roseanne" departing from the port of Cork, Ireland but died on Grosse Isle in July 1847 3
Mrs. Bridget Fegan, aged 50 who immigrated to Canada, arriving at the Grosse Isle Quarantine Station in Quebec aboard the ship "Rose" departing from the port of Liverpool, England but died on Grosse Isle in July 1847 3

Fegan migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Fegan Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. James Fegan, English convict who was convicted in Liverpool, Merseyside, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Earl Grey" on 27th July 1838, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 4
Mr. William Fegan, British convict who was convicted in Bahamas for life, transported aboard the "Barossa" on 8th December 1839, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 5
Mr. James Fegan, (b. 1797), aged 42, Irish convict who was convicted in County Meath, Ireland for 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the "Blenheim" on 19th May 1839, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 6

Fegan 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:

Fegan Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Stephen Fegan, aged 24, a shoemaker, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Catherine Stewart Forbes" in 1841
Eliza Mary Fegan, aged 29, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Catherine Stewart Forbes" in 1841
Elizabeth Caroline Fegan, aged 3 months, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Catherine Stewart Forbes" in 1841
Mr. William Fegan, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Inchinnan" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 27th May 1852 7
Mr. Lewis Fegan, (b. 1852), aged 22, British settler travelling from England aboard the ship "Varuna" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 27th May 1874 8
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Fegan (post 1700) +

Dan Fegan (d. 2018), American NBA agent
Sergeant James Fegan (1827-1886), American soldier in the U.S. Army during the American Civil War, and Indian Wars, Medal of Honor recipient
Roy Fegan (b. 1961), American actor, best known for his role as Simon Caine in the 1993 film The Meteor Man
Roshon Bernard Fegan (b. 1991), American actor, songwriter and producer
Robert J. Fegan, American Republican politician, Delegate to Republican National Convention from Kansas, 1972 9
Robert Benjamin Fegan (b. 1877), American Republican politician, Delegate to Republican National Convention from Kansas, 1932 9
Joseph C. Fegan, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from New York, 1980 9
John 'Jack' Fegan (1907-1981), Irish-born, Australian film and television actor
Owen Fegan (b. 1972), Irish creative director at New York Magazine, founding member of Irish rock band Rubyhorse
John Herbert Crangle Fegan FRCS (1868-1949), English rugby union player
... (Another 1 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

The Fegan 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.