Kiragan History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

• Origins Available:
• Ireland

Etymology of Kiragan

There are multitude of rich histories underlying the many Irish surnames in use today. The name Kiragan originally appeared in Gaelic as Ó Ciaragain, which is derived from the word "ciar," which means "black" or "dark brown." 1

Early Origins of the Kiragan family

Early History of the Kiragan family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Kiragan research. Another 79 words (6 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Kiragan History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Kiragan Spelling Variations

In the Middle Ages, a name was often recorded under several different spelling variations during the life of its bearer. Literacy was rare at that time and none of the languages to be found in the British Isles had achieved any great semblance of standardization. Variations of the name Kiragan found include Kerrigan, Kerigan, Keragan and others.

Early Notables of the Kiragan family

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

Migration of the Kiragan family

Irish families began to migrate to North America in the late 18th century in the hopes of gaining their own plot of land. The majority of these early immigrant families were relatively well off because the transatlantic passage was costly. As a result the decision to immigrate was carefully made. Those immigrants that arrived in the late 1840s differed because their decision to leave was in direct response to the Great Potato Famine. Many of the families that crossed the Atlantic during this decade were destitute, either having spent all they had on the fare or even starting with nothing, but being sponsored by a philanthropic society. Whenever, these Irish families came to North America, they were made great contributions to the developing nations of the United States and what would come to be known as Canada: the earlier settlers as land clearing homesteaders, and the later immigrants as the muscle that would build the industries and routes of transportation so critical to a powerful nation. Research into the passenger and immigration lists has shown many early and significant Irish immigrants bearing the name Kiragan: Brian, Charles, Daniel, Edward, Hugh, John, Joseph, Michael, Patrick, Thomas and William Kerrigan all arrived in Philadelphia in 1840 and 1860.