Deghan History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

• Origins Available:
• Ireland

Etymology of Deghan

The Irish name Deghan 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 Deghan family

Early History of the Deghan family

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

Deghan Spelling Variations

In the Middle Ages many people were recorded under different spellings each time their name was written down. Research on the Deghan family name revealed numerous spelling variations, including Behan, Beehan, Beaghan, O'Behan, Beehan, Beagan, O'Beaghan, O'Behen, Behen and many more.

Early Notables of the Deghan family

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

Migration of the Deghan family

The 18th century saw the slow yet steady emigration of Irish families to British North America and the United States. Those early Irish settlers that left their homeland were typically moderately well off: they were enticed by the promise of a sizable plot of land. However, by the 1840s, this pattern of immigration was gone: immigrants to North America were seeking refuge from the starvation and disease that the Great Potato Famine of that decade brought. The great numbers of Irish that arrived to the United States and the soon to be Canada were instrumental in their quick development as powerful industrial nations. An examination of early immigration and passenger lists uncovered many early immigrants bearing the name Deghan: 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.