McColgan Family Crest, Coat of Arms and Name History

McColgan Origin:

Ireland

Origins of McColgan:

Listed with the spellings as Colgan, MacColgan, the short form McColgan, and formerly O’Colgan, this is a Gaelic-Irish surname of great age. It is true that it is now related to Scotland, but this is mainly because of the achievements of the great Scottish athlete Liz McColgan. The Irish family that has the earliest documentation known of the surname lead to O’Colgan, the O’Colgans as being rulers of a barony in Ulster. It would seem that around the 15th century, there were two different septs of the family, and the larger and more important was situated upon Division Offally known as the MacColgans from the hamlet of Kilcolgan. The name itself is of unknown meaning, but its form suggests that it originally represented a companion of St Columba, the first Irish martyr of the 6th century. The surname joined with the Roman Catholic Church, whose members have been very famous. Early examples of the surname registrations contain the Revered John Colgan, a Franciscan prior, and writer of many religious works. He descended in 1658 in France. He had a relative called John MacColgan who was the priest of Derry in the 18th century, while the Most Reverend Joseph Colgan (1824 – 1911) was the minister of Madras, India. The first known recording of the surname is perhaps that of Teag O’Colgan, king of the barony of Tirkeen, in Division Derry. He considered having died in the year 1372.

Variations:

More common variations are: MacColgan, McColghan, McCologan, MccColigan, Mccolagan, Mccolegan, Mccolgain, Mcolgan, Mcclgan.

England:

The surname McColgan first appeared in the Division Londonderry, a Northern Irish province also known as Derry, in the region of Ulster, where they held a family seat from old times. The origin of surnames during this period became a necessity with the introduction of personal taxation. It came to be known as Poll Tax in England.

Ireland:

Many of the people with surname McColgan had moved to Ireland during the 17th century.

United States of America:

Some of the people with the surname McColgan who arrived in the United States in the 19th century included Bernard McColgan at the age of 23, landed in Pennsylvania in 1837. John McColgan at the age of 22, came to Pennsylvania in 1841. Thomas P McColgan at the age of 30, landed in Mobile, Ala in 1872.

Canada:

People with the surname McColgan who settled in Canada in the 19th century included Susan McColgan arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship “Madawaska” in 1833. Mary McColgan at the age of 26, arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship “Trial” in 1833. Anne McColgan at the age of 21, arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship “Trial” in 1833. Daniel McColgan at the age of 18 arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship “Trial” in 1833. James McColgan arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship “Bartley” in 1833.

Australia:

Some of the individuals with the surname McColgan who landed in Australia in the 19th century included William McColgan, Scottish convict from Glasgow, who shifted aboard the “Adelaide” in April 1855, settling in Western Australia.

Here is the population distribution of the last name McColgan: United States 1,615; England 753; Scotland 538; Northern Ireland 393; Ireland 311; Canada 222; Australia 74; Wales 56; New Zealand 45; Switzerland 27

Notable People:

Aileen McColgan is a Professor of Law at King’s College London. She is an expert in labor law, judgment, and human rights. She works as an academic and as a practicing lawyer at Matrix Chambers. Prof McColgan is originally from Derry, Northern Ireland,

Liz McColgan (born 1964), is a Scottish long-distance racer.

Mike McColgan is an American musician.

Peter McColgan (born 1963), is a Northern Irish sportsman.

Blazons & Genealogy Notes

(Ireland, and Island of Teneriffe). Motto—Virtus probata florescit. 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.