Ó hAnnagáin is an Irish Gaelic surname, the original form of the Anglicized surnames O'Hannagain and its variants. The name derives from Ó hAnnagáin, meaning "descendant of Annagán." The personal name Annagán is a diminutive of Annadh, an Old Irish name meaning "delay." This etymology places Ó hAnnagáin within a tradition of early Irish patronymic surnames, where the prefix Ó denotes a male descendant.
Historically, the Ó hAnnagáin sept was based in the province of Connacht, particularly in modern-day County Galway and County Roscommon. However, due to population displacement over the centuries—both through internal migration and emigration during the Great Famine (1845–1852)—bearers of the name are now found internationally.
Variants and Anglicization
With the suppression of Irish culture under English rule, many Gaelic names were anglicized, leading to multiple written forms that reflect pronunciation and regional dialects. Common variants of Ó hAnnagáin include Hanegan, Hanigan, Hannigan, Hannigen; and the reinstated Irish prefix forms O'Hanegan and O'Hanigan.
The name remains relatively uncommon in its original Gaelic spelling today. According to genealogical sources such as Forebears, the incidence of Ó hAnnagáin and its nearly identical form Ó hAnnagáin (with a macron) is very low, likely less than 200 bearers worldwide. The Anglicized variant Hannigan is more widespread, making identification of ancestral origins through records easier than for the preserved Gaelic form.
Variants
Same Spelling
Sources: Forebears — Ó-hannagáin