Mac Aodhagáin facts for kids

The Mac Aodhagáin family (pronounced 'Mac Ay-gawn'), also known as Egan or Keegan in English, is an old and important Irish family. They were famous Gaelic Brehons, which means they were hereditary lawyers. This means the job of being a lawyer was passed down from parent to child in their family. They served as legal experts for powerful leaders, first for the Ó Conchobhair Kings of Connacht, and later for the Burkes of Clanricarde.

The Mac Aodhagáin family was also very important in education. The oldest surviving Irish law book, called In Senchas Már, was written before the year 1350. It was created at a school that the Mac Aodhagáin family supported in Duniry, near Loughrea. Other parts of the family also ran schools in places like Park, near Tuam, and at Ballymacegan in County Tipperary. A famous book called Leabhar Breac was even made by one of their students. A well-known scholar named Dubhaltach MacFhirbhisigh might have studied at Ballymacegan until 1643, learning from Flann Mac Aodhagáin.

Naming the Family: Egan and Keegan

Over time, the original Irish name Mac Aodhagáin was changed into different English spellings. This is called Anglicisation. You might see the name written as Mac Egan, Egan, Eagan, Keegan, McKeegan, Keigan, McKiegan, or McKagan.

Here's how the name changes in Irish depending on who you are talking about:

Famous People from the Egan and Keegan Families

Many people with the Egan or Keegan surname have become famous in different fields. Here are some of them:

Egan Family Members

• Boetius Egan (archbishop of Tuam) (1734–1798): A Roman Catholic archbishop.
• Boetius Egan (bishop of Elphin) (died 1650): Another Roman Catholic bishop.
• Chandler Egan: A golfer.
• Chris Egan (disambiguation): Several people share this name.
• Daniel Egan: A former mayor of Sydney, Australia.
• Dennis Egan (born 1947): An Alaskan politician.
• Eddie Eagan (1897–1967): The only athlete to win gold medals in both the Summer Olympics (boxing) and Winter Olympics (bobsled).
• Eddie Egan (1930–1995): A New York police detective, famous from the movie The French Connection.
• Edward Egan: A Roman Catholic Cardinal.
• Felim Egan: A painter.
• George W. Egan: A South Dakota politician.
• Gerard Egan: A psychologist.
• Greg Egan: A science fiction author.
• James Egan (disambiguation): Several people share this name.
• Jane Egan: An athlete and lawyer.
• Jennifer Egan: An author.
• Joe Egan (disambiguation): Several people share this name.
• John Egan (disambiguation): Several people share this name.
• Kenny Egan: A boxer.
• Johnny Egan (basketball): A basketball player and coach.
• Joseph F. Egan (c.1917–1964): A New York politician.
• Joseph V. Egan: A New Jersey politician.
• Kian Egan: A singer, part of the band Westlife.
• Kieran Egan (educationist): An English educator.
• Kieran Egan (politician): An Irish politician.
• Mark Egan: A jazz musician.
• Maureen Egan: An American writer and director of music videos and films.
• Maurice Francis Egan: An American writer and diplomat.
• Michael Egan (disambiguation): Several people share this name.
• Philip Egan (born 1955): The Bishop of Portsmouth.
• Pierce Egan: A journalist.
• Richard Egan (disambiguation): Several people share this name.
• Roma Egan: A ballet dancer.
• Sam Egan: A journalist and producer.
• Seamus Egan: A musician.
• Sean Egan: A computer software developer.
• Susan Egan: An American actress.
• Ted Egan: An Australian folk musician and former Administrator of the Northern Territory.
• Thomas Egan (disambiguation): Several people share this name.
• Timothy Egan: A writer.
• Walter Egan (born 1948): An American musician.
• Walter Egan (golfer): A golfer.
• William Egan (disambiguation): Several people share this name.

Keegan Family Members

• Andrew Keegan (born 1979): An American actor.
• Betty Ann Keegan (1920–1974): An American politician.
• Bob Keegan (1920–2001): An American baseball player.
• Chad Keegan (born 1979): A South African cricketer.
• Claire Keegan (born 1968): An Irish writer.
• Colm Keegan (born 1989): A singer in the group Celtic Thunder.
• Ged Keegan (born 1955): An English football player.
• Jake Keegan (born 1991): An American soccer player.
• Jimmy Keegan (born 1969): An American musician.
• Sir John Keegan (1934–2012): An English military historian and author.
• John C. Keegan (born 1952): An American judge and retired military officer.
• Kevin Keegan (born 1951): A famous English football manager and former player.
• Lisa Graham Keegan: An American education reform advocate and politician.
• Marina Keegan (1989–2012): An American author.
• Michelle Keegan (born 1987): A British actress.
• Paul Keegan (disambiguation): Multiple people share this name, including:
  • Paul Keegan (born 1972): An Irish football player.
  • Paul Keegan (born 1984): Another Irish football player.
• Rose Keegan (born 1965): A British actress.
• Rupert Keegan (born 1955): An English racing driver.
• Scarlett Keegan (born 1984): An American model and actress.
• Victor Keegan (born 1940): A British journalist and author focusing on economics and technology.

See also

• Redwood Castle
• Aed mac Conchbair Mac Aodhagáin (1330–1359): A famous bard (poet and storyteller).
• Baothghalach Mór Mac Aodhagáin (1550–1600): A poet.
• Gilla na Naemh Mac Aodhagáin (d. 1399): A professor of judiciary (law).