Gavigan

For the village in Iran, see Gavigan, Iran.

See also: Gaffigan

Gavagan is an Irish surname that traces its origins to different local chieftains depending upon the research performed.

Gavigan Clan Coat of Arms

Etymology

• 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

• Joseph A. Gavagan (1892–1968), American politician
• Martin Gavigan, Irish former Gaelic footballer
• Michelle Gavagan (born 1990), environmentalist and beauty queen from the Philippines
• Peter Gavigan (1897–1977), Scottish footballer
• Annette McGavigan (1957–1971), casualty of the Troubles
• Ruth McGavigan (born 1976), Scottish mountain biker
• Jim Gaffigan (born 1966), American comedian