Gavigan is an Irish surname that claims its origins with different local chieftains depending upon the research performed.

Gavigan Clan Coat of Arms

Etymology

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  • From County Mayo, Ireland, a local Irish chieftain called "Gabhadhan", the old Gaelic might have been something like, when the grammatical séimhiú is represented by the letter "h", "Ó Gáibhtheacháin".[1][2] This might be translated to signify "the Anxious One".
  • From "Mag Eachagáin" (son of Eachagán, in turn a diminutive of the personal name Eachadh).[1][2]
  • From the southern O'Neill or (as written in Irish) Uí Néill clan of Geoghegan,[3] "Gabhachan" from north Leinster and Ulster, cattle grazers on pasture lands. "Gabha" might signify or mean a blacksmith.

The motto upon the Gavigan family coat of arms may be translated to mean Always ready to serve my king and country.

Notable people with the name

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References

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  1. ^ a b Hanks, Patrick; Coates, Richard; McClure, Peter (17 November 2016). The Oxford Dictionary of Family Names in Britain and Ireland. Oxford University Press. p. 1026. ISBN 9780192527479.
  2. ^ a b Hanks, Patrick (8 May 2003). Dictionary of American Family Names. Oxford University Press. p. 23. ISBN 9780199771691.
  3. ^ MacLysaght, Edward (19 April 1985). The Surnames of Ireland. Irish Academic Press. ISBN 9781911024644.
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