Surname Fagen - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'F'
Fagen: What does the surname Fagen mean?
The surname Fagen is of Irish origin and is an anglicized form of the Gaelic name "O’Fagáin." In this Gaelic name, the prefix "O" indicates “grandson of” or “descendent of,” while "Fagáin" is a personal name derived from the word "fag," which means "raven." Thus, the name can be interpreted as "descendant of Fagáin.” It is speculated that the name could symbolize wisdom, intelligence, and healing, as the raven is associated with these traits in several mythologies. It's also possible that "Fagáin" was an occupational nickname for a roguish or tricky person, as the word "fagan" is also connected with cunning in Irish. Like many surnames, its specific meaning may not be pinpointed exactly due to its ancient origins and the evolution of language over time. It is a significant surname in Counties Mayo and Galway in the west of Ireland.
Order DNA origin analysisFagen: Where does the name Fagen come from?
The surname Fagen originates from Ireland. It is an anglicized version of the Gaelic name "Ó Fágáin," which means "descendant of Fagán." The personal name Fagán is derived from the word "fág", which means "leave" or "depart."
Fagen is not a very common surname. However, it is mostly found in the United States, Ireland, and England today. It may also be found in small numbers in Australia, Canada, and other parts of Europe. Variations of the name you might encounter include Fagan, Faggan, and Fegen. Some members of the Fagen family migrated to the United States during the 19th century, seeking a better life during the Great Famine in Ireland. Therefore, the US has a significant population of people with this last name. Despite its origins, the surname is not highly common in Ireland today.
Of course, personal mobility and global connectivity mean that bearers of the surname Fagen can be found in many parts of the world, even if their origins attest to a specific geographical lineage.
Variations of the surname Fagen
The surname Fagen has Irish origins and is a variant spelling of several other surnames. Many of these surname variants include Fagan, Fagin, Fegan, Feagan, Feigen, and Faggan. These spellings have evolved over centuries due to a host of reasons including emigration, translation between languages, and regional dialects.
Fagen can also be a variant of the surname O’Fegan, which is derived from the Old Gaelic name "O'Fiagan". This surname comes from the personal name Fiagan, a derivative of "fiach", which translates to "raven". The prefix 'O' indicates "grandson of" or "descendent of", thus denoting lineage.
Other similar surnames include Feighan, Feeney, and Feehan, though these may not directly connect with the Fagen line.
As surnames were often created to describe a person's occupation, place of residence, or personal characteristics, some variations may bear the same meaning but have different spellings due to cultural and regional differences. As such, understanding the variations, spellings and origins of surnames like Fagen allows for a more in-depth exploration of family histories and genealogies.
Famous people with the name Fagen
- Donald Fagen: An American musician and songwriter, best known as the co-founder, lead singer, and the principal songwriter of the rock band Steely Dan.
- Walter Fagen: A professional golfer who has played on the PGA tour and the Champions tour. He won the 2003 PGA Tour Rookie of the Year and has several PGA Tour victories to his name.
- Michael Fagen: An attorney famous for his work in family law. He's also known as a legal analyst on major TV networks.
- Dr. Rebecca Fagen: A prominent psychologist, known for her work in child psychology.
- Robert Fagen: An American biologist and ethologist, famous for his work on animal play behavior.
- Joy Fagen: Founding partner of Fagen Friedman & Fulfrost LLP, one of California's leading education law firms.
- Judith Fagen: An accomplished author who has written several acclaimed novels. Please note that the popularity of the mentioned individuals can be subjective and relevant to specific domains.