Beegen History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

• Origins Available:
• Ireland

Etymology of Beegen

The Irish name Beegen comes from the Gaelic name Ó Beachain, possibly derived from the word "beach," which means "bee." It was also an Anglicized version of the Gaelic personal name Beathán, from "beatha," meaning "life." 1

Early Origins of the Beegen family

Early History of the Beegen family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Beegen research. Another 52 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Beegen History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Beegen Spelling Variations

Names written in official documents were generally spelt as they sounded, leading to the problem of one name being recorded under several different variations, creating the illusion in records of more than one person. Among the many spelling variations of the surname Beegen that are preserved in documents of the family history are Behan, Beehan, Beaghan, O'Behan, Beehan, Beagan, O'Beaghan, O'Behen, Behen and many more.

Early Notables of the Beegen family

More information is included under the topic Early Beegen Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Beegen family

The English-ruled Ireland of the late 18th and 19th centuries featured a rapidly increasing population and an agricultural-based economy. This combination proved to be disastrous in the 1840s after a couple of failed potato harvests. Thousands died of disease and starvation, and thousands more left the country, often bound for North America. Those that survived the journey to North America were put to work building the bridges, canals, roadways, and railways needed for the development of an industrial society. Those Irish, although often despised by those already established in North American cities and towns, played an instrumental role in making Canada and the United States the powerful and wealthy nations that they are today. An examination of early immigration and passenger lists has shown many immigrants bearing the name Beegen: James Behan who arrived in New York City in 1822; Henry Behan settled in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1854; Michael Beehan settled in Philadelphia in 1868.