Gahan
| Language | Irish |
|---|---|
| Origin | |
| Meaning | Descendant of Gaoithín |
| Region of origin | Ireland |
| Other names | |
| Variant forms | Ó Gaoithín, Gaoithin, Wynne, Wyndham Guiheen, Guihan |
Gahan is a surname of Irish origin. It derives from the Irish language name Ó Gaoithín, meaning "descendant of Gaoithín". The Ó Gaoithín were historically chiefs of Síol Éalaigh and today are most prevelent in south-eastern Ireland, particularly in the counties of Wexford and Carlow. Connacht Ó Gaoithíns were typically anglicised as Wynne or Wyndham and are of an unrelated origin to the Leinster Ó Gaoithíns.[1][2]
People with this surname include:
- Arthur Burton Gahan (1880–1960), American entomologist.
- Charles Joseph Gahan (1862–1939), Irish entomologist.
- Dave Gahan (born 1962) (not his birth name), British singer.
- George Thomas Gahan (1912–1980), Australian politician and boxer.
- Gordon Gahan (1945–1984), American photographer.
- Graeme Gahan (1942–2018), Australian rules footballer.
- John Harvey Gahan (1888–1958), Canadian violinist.
- Matthew Gahan (born 1975), Australian baseball player.
- Thomas Gahan (1847–1905), American politician.
- Tracy Gahan (born 1980), Australian basketball player.
- William Gahan (1732–1804), Irish priest.
- Gahan Wilson (1930–2019), American horror–fantasy cartoonist and illustrator.
References
- ^ "Ó Gaoithín". Library Ireland.
- ^ "GAHAN Surname Maps of Ireland". Barry Griffin. Barry Griffin. Retrieved 4 June 2025.