Kiragen History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

• Origins Available:
• Ireland

Etymology of Kiragen

There are multitude of rich histories underlying the many Irish surnames in use today. The name Kiragen 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 Kiragen family

Early History of the Kiragen family

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

Kiragen Spelling Variations

Many different spelling variations of the surname Kiragen exist in the archives researched. Ancient scribes and church officials recorded names as they were pronounced, often resulting in a single person being recorded under several different spellings. Different spellings that were found include Kerrigan, Kerigan, Keragan and others.

Early Notables of the Kiragen family

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

Migration of the Kiragen family

During the middle of the 19th century, Irish families often experienced extreme poverty and racial discrimination in their own homeland under English rule. Record numbers died of disease and starvation, and many others, deciding against such a fate, boarded ships bound for North America. The largest influx of Irish settlers occurred with Great Potato Famine of the late 1840s. Unfortunately, many of those Irish that arrived in Canada or the United States still experienced economic and racial discrimination. Although often maligned, these Irish people were essential to the rapid development of these countries because they provided the cheap labor required for the many canals, roads, railways, and other projects required for strong national infrastructures. Eventually the Irish went on to make contributions in the less backbreaking and more intellectual arenas of commerce, education, and the arts. Research early immigration and passenger lists revealed many early immigrants bearing the name Kiragen: Brian, Charles, Daniel, Edward, Hugh, John, Joseph, Michael, Patrick, Thomas and William Kerrigan all arrived in Philadelphia in 1840 and 1860.