Meehan History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms 

Origins Available: 
  Ireland 


The surname Meehan originally appeared in Gaelic as "O Miadhachain," which is derived from the word miadhach, meaning honorable. 1

Early Origins of the Meehan family

The surname Meehan was first found in County Leitrim (Irish: Liatroim) anciently the western half of the kingdom of Breifne, located in Northeastern Ireland, in Leinster province, Originally, "Ó Miadhacháin, this is the name of at least two distinct septs; it is now equally distributed throughout the four provinces." 2

Early History of the Meehan family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Meehan research. Another 92 words (7 lines of text) covering the year 1172 is included under the topic Early Meehan History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Meehan Spelling Variations

A name was often recorded during the Middle Ages under several different spelling variations during the life of its bearer because literacy was rare there was no real push to clearly define any of the languages found in the British Isles at that time. Variations found of the name Meehan include Meighan, Meehan, Meegin, Meeghen, Meegan, Meakin, Meakins, Mekins, Mehan, Mehen, Mehigan, Mehegan, O'Meighan, O'Meehan and many more.

Early Notables of the Meehan family

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

Meehan Ranking

In the United States, the name Meehan is the 2,729th most popular surname with an estimated 12,435 people with that name. 3


Meehan migration to the United States +

Death and immigration greatly reduced Ireland's population in the 19th century. For the native Irish people poverty, hunger, and racial prejudice was common. Therefore, thousands left their homeland to seek opportunity in North America. Those who survived the journey and the quarantine camps to which they arrived, were instrumental towards building the strong developing nations of the United States and the future Canada. By far, the largest influx of Irish settlers occurred with Great Potato Famine during the late 1840s. These were employed as construction or factory workers. An examination of passenger and immigration lists has shown early immigrants bearing the name Meehan:

Meehan Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Meehan migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Meehan Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Meehan migration to Australia +

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

Meehan Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Meehan 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:

Meehan Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Contemporary Notables of the name Meehan (post 1700) +
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