Mehegan History, Family Crest & Coats of ArmsThe surname Mehegan originally appeared in Gaelic as "O Miadhachain," which is derived from the word miadhach, meaning honorable. [1] Early Origins of the Mehegan familyThe surname Mehegan was first found in County Leitrim (Irish: Liatroim) anciently the western half of the kingdom of Breifne, located in Northeastern Ireland, in Leinster province, Originally, "Ó Miadhacháin, this is the name of at least two distinct septs; it is now equally distributed throughout the four provinces." [2] Early History of the Mehegan familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Mehegan research. Another 92 words (7 lines of text) covering the year 1172 is included under the topic Early Mehegan History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Mehegan Spelling VariationsJust like the English language, the Gaelic language of Ireland was not standardized in the Middle Ages. Therefore, one's name was often recorded under several different spellings during the life of its bearer. Spelling variations revealed in the search for the origins of the Mehegan family name include Meighan, Meehan, Meegin, Meeghen, Meegan, Meakin, Meakins, Mekins, Mehan, Mehen, Mehigan, Mehegan, O'Meighan, O'Meehan and many more. Early Notables of the Mehegan familyNotable among the family name at this time was
Ireland became inhospitable for many native Irish families in the 19th centuries. Poverty, lack of opportunities, high rents, and discrimination forced thousands to leave the island for North America. The largest exodus of Irish settlers occurred with the Great Potato Famine of the late 1840s. For these immigrants the journey to British North America and the United States was long and dangerous and many did not live to see the shores of those new lands. Those who did make it were essential to the development of what would become two of the wealthiest and most powerful nations of the world. These Irish immigrants were not only important for peopling the new settlements and cities, they also provided the manpower needed for the many industrial and agricultural projects so essential to these growing nations. Immigration and passenger lists have documented the arrival of various people bearing the name Mehegan to North America: Mehegan Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
Mehegan Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
|