Beegan History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

• Origins Available:
• Ireland

Etymology of Beegan

The Irish name Beegan 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 Beegan family

Early History of the Beegan family

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

Beegan 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 Beegan 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 Beegan family

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

Migration of the Beegan 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 Beegan: 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.