Brogan
Brogan or O'Brogan, is a surname originating in Ireland, anglicized from the original Ó Brógáin. The form McBrogan, is also present sharing the meaning of O'Brogan, essentially "son of Brogan."
The name is traced to the Celtic King Breogán a legendary leader, architect and builder from ancient Galicia, a region in north of Portugal on the Iberian Penincula. He built a massive structures, one called the Tower of Breogán, which is believed to be the Tower of Hercules.," From this tower myth states that he saw Ireland and later conquered the celts there, the beginning of Ireland.
The name is an anglicized form of Irish Ó Brógáin. from a diminutive of bróg, which is ultimately from Old Norse brók.
The name has also been traced back to Saint Brogan, Saint Patrick's nephew and scribe, and has many original meanings, including sorrowful, sharp-faced, sturdy and strong.
The shortened form Brog or Brogish is of ancient use, meaning “Irish” and is used to refer to anything that is distinctly “Celtic” or “Irish” in tradition, nature and essence, such as Brogish eyes; Brogs - a shrot boot or high top leather shoe; a brog lilt or accent etc.
Traditionally, Brogan has also been used as a first name for boys, after the Saint.
Notable people with the surname
- Alan Brogan, an Irish footballer
- Benedict Brogan, English journalist
- Bernard Brogan (senior), an Irish footballer
- Bernard Brogan (junior), an Irish footballer
- Bill Brogan, Australian rugby league footballer
- Colm Brogan, a Scottish journalist and political pamphleteer
- Denis William Brogan, Scottish historian
- Frank Brogan, an American politician
- Hugh Brogan, British historian
- Jack Brogan, American art fabricator
- James Brogan (footballer born 1865), a Scottish footballer
- James Brogan (footballer born 1890), a Scottish footballer
- Jim Brogan (basketball), an American basketball player
- Jim Brogan (Gaelic footballer), an Irish Gaelic footballer
- Jim Brogan (Scottish footballer), a Scottish footballer
- John Brogan (footballer born 1958), a Scottish footballer
- Joseph Brogan, American politician, Missouri senator
- Mervyn Brogan, an Australian army officer
- Michelle Brogan, an Australian basketball player
- Mike Brogan, an author's pseudonym
- Nicola Brogan, Northern Irish politician
- Stephen Brogan, an English footballer
- William Brogan, Australian rugby player
Notable people with the given name
- Brogan Bambrogan, American businessman
- Brogan Crowley, British skeleton athlete
- Brogan Evans, Welsh rugby league player
- Brogan Finlay, American professional wrestler
- Brogan Hay, Scottish footballer
- Brogan Rafferty, American professional ice hockey player
- Brogan Rafferty (serial killer), American serial killer
- Brogan Roback, American football quarterback
- Brogan Walker, American mixed martial artist