Kirigan History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

• Origins Available:
• Ireland

Etymology of Kirigan

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

Early History of the Kirigan family

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

Kirigan Spelling Variations

The scribes and church officials of the Middle Ages who recorded names in official documents spelled the names as they sounded. This led to the problem of one name being recorded under several different variations and thus resembling more than one person. Among the many spelling variations of the surname Kirigan that are preserved in archival documents of this era include Kerrigan, Kerigan, Keragan and others.

Early Notables of the Kirigan family

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

Migration of the Kirigan family

Many Irish families did not fare so well within the English-ruled Ireland. Besides racial and religious discrimination, many families were renting out small tracts of farmland from absentee landowners at often unreasonable rates. Beginning in the late 18th century, moderately well off Irish families decided to emigrate to British North America or the United States in order to own their own plot of land. A radical change occurred in the 1840s, however, with the Great Potato Famine of the 1840s. Up to this point, the island's population had been increasing rapidly and a steady demand over the years for grain crops had depleted soil. Two failed crops and one poor one caused widespread disease and starvation. Thousands boarded ships looking for opportunities elsewhere. North America welcomed them as a source of cheap labor required for the many industrial and infrastructure projects underway, and as a means to quickly occupy the western regions. Research into immigration and passenger ship lists indicates that people bearing the name Kirigan were among the earliest settlers to arrive in North America: Brian, Charles, Daniel, Edward, Hugh, John, Joseph, Michael, Patrick, Thomas and William Kerrigan all arrived in Philadelphia in 1840 and 1860.