Colgan Family Crest, Coat of Arms and Name History

Colgan Origin:

Ireland

Origin of Colgan:

Listed in many spelling forms such as Colgan or MacColgan, this is the shortened form of McColgan, and ultimately as O’Colgan. It is a Gaelic-Irish surname with a great history. It is true that it is now related to Scotland but this is basically because of the works of the great Scottish manager Liz McColgan. The Irish forebear verified in the old socuments that the surname is related to O’Colgan. The O’Colgans being kings of a barony in Ulster. It would last like that until the 15th century when there were two divisions of the tribe, the MacColgans from the hamlet of Kilcolgan. The name itself is of unknown meaning, but its style suggests that it is ultimately defined as a supporter of St Columba, the first Irish religious person of the 6th century. The surname is especially related to the Roman Catholic parish, where representatives have been very important. Previous examples of the surname consist of the Revered John Colgan, a Franciscan priest, and writer of many Holy works. He passed away in 1658 in France. He had a friend named as John MacColgan who was the religious person of Derry in the 18th century, while the Joseph Colgan (1824 – 1911) was the priest of Madras, India. The first known documentation of the surname is perhaps that of Teag O’Colgan, king of the palace of Tirkeen, in the division of Derry. He considered having passed away in the year 1372.

Variations:

More common variations of this surname are: Coligan, Cologan, Colagan, Colgane, Colghan, Colgain, Colhgan, Collgan, Colegan, Colygan.

Ireland:

The surname Colgan was first organized in division Derry, also famous as Londonderry where they request to decline from O’Conros (Faley) with Cumasach, brother of Aeneas, having introduced their surname from the Irish “colg” meaning “shield,” so the name Colgan was a “swordsman,” a quo Clann Colgain.

United States of America:

Some of the people with the name Colgan who settled in the United States in the 19th century included Edward Colgan, Hugh Colgan, and John Colgan who all landed in New York, NY in the same year in 1812. George Colgan, who arrived in New York, NY in 1816. Patrick Colgan, at the age of 36, arrived in New York, NY in 1847.

Canada:

Some of the people with the name Colgan who settled in the Canada in the 19th century included John Colgan, at the age of 25, who was a worker, Ann Colgan, at the age of 24, and William Colgan, at the age of 2, all arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in the same year in 1833 aboard the ship “John & Marry” from Belfast Ireland. Mr. Honora Colgan at the age of 19 who shifted to Canada, arriving at the Gross Isle Quarantine Station in Quebec aboard the ship “Industry” leaving the Harbor of Dublin, Ireland but passed away on Grosse Isle in October 1847. Miss. Judith Colgan, at the age of 17 who moved to Canada, coming to the Gross Isle Quarantine Station in Quebec aboard the ship “John Munn” leaving from the Harbor of Liverpool, England but passed away on Gross Island in September 1847.

Australia:

Some of the people with the name Coglan who settled in Australia in the 19th century included Edward Colgan at the age of 35, arrived in South Australia in 1854 aboard the ship “Lord Raglan.” Anne Colgan at the age of 18, who was a home slave, landed in South Australia in 1854 aboard the ship “Lord of the Isles.” Patrick Colgan at the age of 50, a laborer, Laurence Colgan, at the age of 23, a laborer, and James Colgan at the age of 17, who was a worker, all arrived in South Australia in the same year in 1858 aboard the ship “Bee.”

New Zealand:

Some of the people with the name Colgan who settled in New Zealand in the 19th century included Stephen Colgan at the age of 23, was a farmer, came in Nelson aboard the ship “Hannibal” in 1875. Bridget Colgan at the age of 17, Rose Colgan, at the age of 16, a servant and Eliza Colgan, at the age of 21, all arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship “British Queen” in the same year in 1883.

Here is the population distribution of the last name Colgan: United States 4,593; England 1,291; Wales 79; Australia 553; Scotland 151; Canada 464; Ireland 1,550; Northern Ireland 537; Germany 134; New Zealand 107.

Notable People:

Charles J. Colgan, American Democratic politician, and businessman from Virginia

Eileen Colgan (c. 1934 – 2014), was an Irish artist and entertainer.

Jay Colgan was an American merchant.

Jenny Colgan was a British novel writer.

John Colgan was an Irish professor.

Blazons & Genealogy Notes

Notes: (Ireland, and Island of Teneriffe). Motto—Virtus probata florescit. Blazon: Azure a lion ramp, or, between three pheons argent. Crest—A dexter arm in armour embowed, holding a lance transfixing a stag’s head couped all proper.
Notes: (Ireland, and Island of Teneriffe). Motto—Virtus probata florescit. Blazon: Azure a lion ramp, or, between three pheons argent. Crest—A dexter arm in armour embowed, holding a lance transfixing a stag’s head couped all proper.