Gaghan
An Irish surname derived from the Gaelic "gághan" meaning "slender" or "thin."
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 206 Americans carry the last name Gaghan. That puts it at #101,247 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.06 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 1,663,856 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Gaghan surname. You will find the Census Bureau frequency data, an ancestry and ethnicity breakdown based on self-reported demographics, the name's meaning and origin where available, and answers to the most common questions people ask about this surname.
Bearers in the US
206
1 in 1,663,856
Census rank
#101,247
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.1
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
178
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 178 bearers of the surname Gaghan in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.06 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 101247th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Gaghan, the largest self-reported group is White at 94.9%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (3.4%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Gaghan
The surname Gaghan is believed to have originated in Ireland, with its earliest recorded instances dating back to the late 16th century. It is thought to be derived from the Irish Gaelic word "geadh," which means "goose," suggesting that the name may have initially referred to someone who raised or traded in geese.
One of the earliest known bearers of the Gaghan name was Patrick Gaghan, born in County Sligo, Ireland, in the late 1500s. Records indicate that he was a farmer and landowner in the region. Another early reference to the name can be found in the Annals of the Four Masters, a chronicle of medieval Irish history, which mentions a "Gaghan of Connaught" in the year 1602.
As the Gaghan family spread across Ireland, various spelling variations emerged, including Gagan, Gagen, and Gaygan. These variations likely arose due to regional dialects and the inconsistent nature of written records at the time.
In the 18th century, a notable figure bearing the Gaghan name was Michael Gaghan, born in County Mayo in 1723. He was a prominent merchant and landowner who played a significant role in the local community. His descendants continued to hold influence in the region for several generations.
Another individual of note was John Gaghan, born in County Sligo in 1805. He was a renowned scholar and educator who contributed significantly to the preservation of Irish language and culture. His works on Irish grammar and literature were widely recognized during his lifetime.
As the Irish diaspora spread across the globe, the Gaghan name traveled with them. In the late 19th century, records show instances of the name appearing in places like the United States, Canada, and Australia, where Irish immigrants had settled.
One such individual was Patrick Gaghan, who was born in County Mayo in 1865 and later emigrated to the United States, settling in New York City. He became a prominent figure in the local Irish community and was actively involved in various social and cultural organizations.
While the Gaghan surname may not be among the most common in the world today, it carries a rich history rooted in Irish heritage and the various stories of those who have borne this name throughout the centuries.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Gaghan
Among Census respondents with the surname Gaghan, the largest self-reported group is White at 94.9%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (3.4%).
The bar chart below shows how Gaghan bearers described their own race and ethnicity on the 2010 Census form. The Census Bureau groups responses into six broad categories: White, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian and Pacific Islander, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Two or More Races. When a category has too few respondents for a given surname, the Bureau suppresses the figure to protect individual privacy, which is why some names show fewer than six slices.
Keep in mind that these are self-reported numbers. A person's surname does not determine their race or ethnicity, and the distribution you see here reflects the specific population who happened to carry the Gaghan surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White94.9%
- Hispanic or Latino3.4%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Gaghan surname changed between Census years? The chart shows bearer count side by side, and the table compares rank, count, and frequency.
Census year comparison
| Metric | 2010 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #101,247 | #101,247 | 0.0% |
| Count | 178 | 178 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.06 | 0.06 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Gaghan bearers went from 178 to 178 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #101,247 to #101,247.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Gaghan
FAQ
Gaghan surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Gaghan?
The surname Gaghan holds position #101,247 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 206 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.06 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Gaghan surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Gaghan, the largest self-reported group is White at 94.9%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (3.4%). These figures come from the 2010 Census Bureau surname tables, based on how respondents described their own race and ethnicity.
Where does this surname data come from?
All surname statistics on Name Census are drawn from the US Census Bureau's decennial surname frequency tables. These tables list every surname that appeared 100 or more times in the 2010 Census, along with a frequency rate and self-reported demographic breakdown. You can read the full explanation on our methodology page.