Find out how popular the first name Colgan has been for the last 15 years (from 2002 to 2016) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Colgan by gender

Based on the last 15 years of data, Colgan is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2016, there were 5 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Colgan.

The history of the first name Colgan

The name Colgan has its origins in the Gaelic language, deriving from the Irish surname Ó Colgáin, which means "descendant of Colgan." The name Colgan itself is a diminutive form of the Old Irish word "colg," meaning "sword" or "spear."

The earliest recorded use of the name Colgan dates back to the 7th century, when it was borne by St. Colgan, an Irish monk and scholar from County Meath. He was known for his extensive knowledge of the Irish language and literature, and his work in preserving ancient manuscripts.

In the 9th century, Colgan mac Cruadhain was an Irish king of Leinster, a historic province of Ireland. He ruled from 818 to 834 and was renowned for his military prowess and leadership during a time of conflict with neighboring kingdoms.

Another notable figure bearing the name Colgan was John Colgan, an Irish Franciscan friar and hagiographer who lived in the 17th century (1592-1658). He was a prominent scholar and author, best known for his work "Acta Sanctorum Hiberniae" (Lives of the Irish Saints), which was a comprehensive collection of biographies of Irish saints.

In the 19th century, Colgan McMahon (1835-1907) was an Irish-American civil engineer who played a significant role in the construction of the Union Pacific Railroad. He was responsible for surveying and designing portions of the transcontinental railroad, which connected the eastern and western United States.

A more recent figure with the name Colgan was Michael Colgan (1935-2013), an Irish theater director and artistic director of the Gate Theatre in Dublin. He was widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in Irish theater and was instrumental in reviving and promoting Irish playwrights and plays during his tenure at the Gate Theatre.

While the name Colgan is not as common today as it once was, it remains a testament to the rich cultural heritage of Ireland, with its roots deeply embedded in the ancient Gaelic language and history.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Colgan was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Colgan, please contact us.

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