Surname Harrigan - Meaning and Origin

Harrigan: What does the surname Harrigan mean?

The surname Harrigan is of Irish origin and is thought to be derived from the Gaelic Ó hEirgheannaigh, meaning ‘descendant of Eirgheannach’. The given name Eirgheannach is derived from the Old Irish personal name Eireamhón meaning ‘ward of Erc’, a sixth-century saint. The name is found particularly in Counties Clare, Limerick, and Cork, in the province of Munster in Ireland.

Harrigan is a popular name both in Ireland and abroad, with many variants spelling including O’Harrigan, O’Heragan and Heragon. As the name spread around the world it also adapted some regional variations, such as Herrigan in Scotland and Arreguin in Spain.

Today, Harrigan is seen in the United States, Canada and Australia, and is still relatively common in Ireland, particularly in the regions mentioned above. The name symbolises the courage, endurance and spirit of those who embraced the Irish way of life. It is a reminder of the strength of the Irish people who have braved the elements and harshness of life in hope of a better future.

Harrigan: Where does the name Harrigan come from?

Harrigan is an Irish surname, and today it is most commonly found in the United States and Canada. With the massive surge of Irish immigration to the US during the 18th and 19thcenturies, parts of the country boast some of the highest concentrations of people with the surname Harrigan. This includes areas of New York City, Chicago, Philadelphia, Boston, and Baltimore.

In Canada, the highest concentration of Harrigans can be found in the Maritime Provinces, specifically in Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, and parts of Newfoundland. Like the US and so many other countries, it is believed that many Harrigans in Canada are descendants of original Irish contributors.

Talking specifically about those of Irish descent, Harrigan is among the 500 most common surnames in all of Ireland. Geographically, counties near Dublin, Cork, and Belfast are likely to have higher populations of Harrigans. It is possible, however, to find those with the surname "Harrigan" in any part of the country.

Although the name has been found in various records across Europe, including in France and England, the surname mainly flourished in the United States and Canada, where the Irish immigrants and their descendants formed large communities and lineages.

Variations of the surname Harrigan

Harrigan is an Irish surname derived from the Old Gaelic surname O’hEaghraighain. This was initially a patronymic, meaning “the son of Eghraighan”. The ancestral name potentially derives from the Irish eaghra, meaning “noble,” combined with the archaic term “in”, meaning “in charge” or “leader of”.

Harrigan and variations of the name are found across the world, from Ireland to the US to England, and beyond. Variations of the name, as well as other surnames of presumed common Irish ancestry, include:

Harrigan—the most common spelling of the name

O'Harrigan—Irish spelling of the name

Harigan—a variation of the name

Haregen—an alternate, more phonetic spelling

Harigin—a shortened variation of the name from England

Herrigan—a variant typically found in the Midlands of England

Harygan—another alternate spelling typically found in England

O'Haregan—A variant of the name of Irish origin

O'Hargan—A variant typically found in Slovakia

Haraggans—an alternate version of the name found in Scotland

Haragans—a version of the name found in Cornwall.

These various spellings of the surname Harrigan have been in use for many centuries, with some variations becoming more popular tucked away in certain areas of the world. Indeed, there may be many various spellings of the same name, all sharing a common ancestor, embedded in history and culture alike.

Famous people with the name Harrigan

• William Harrigan: Actor who made his Broadway debut in "The Marquise" in 1907, before embarking on a career in silent films in the early 1920s.
• Tom Harrigan: British-born actor who had a successful career in Australia for decades. He was most famous for his role as Bill Packer in the long-running soap opera Prisoner.
• John Harrigan: Canadian politician who served as the Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador from 1985 to 1989.
• Bryan Harrigan: Actor, writer, and comedian known for his appearances on the Canadian sketch show, Royal Canadian Air Farce.
• Billie Harrigan: American actress and comedian who gained fame as part of the burlesque and vaudeville theaters of the 1930s.
• Bob Harrigan: American jazz musician who is best known for playing the alto saxophone in Edward "Kid" Ory's band during the swing era.
• Abigail Harrigan: American filmmaker and screenwriter whose credits include the indie dark comedy Boys Don't Cry (2000).
• Brendan Harrigan: Irish rugby player who earned 25 caps for his country while playing for Munster and Connacht during the 1950s and 1960s.
• Harry Harrigan: Professional middleweight boxer who had a successful career in his native England during the 1950s and 1960s.
• Dan Harrigan: American photographer and documentary filmmaker whose feature debut, Liar, was released in 1977.

Other surnames

HaachHaackHaackeHaackerHaafHaaffHaagHaageHaagenHaagerHaagmannHaagmansHaagnerHaahsHaakHaakeHaakerHaakertHaamannHaameaHaanHaaneHaanenHaarbrandtHaarckeHaarkeHaarmannHaartjeHaarwaldtHaas