McGan: Last Name Origin and Family Crest

Spellings drift, and McGan is where McGann drifted for some families. Surname dictionaries give the meaning as “The son of Annadh (a storm)”.

Spellings drifted because names were written down by ear in parish books, tax rolls and passenger lists. McGan drops the “n” of McGann, a shortening that clerks often made.

McGan sounds close to McCan, so it can help to search both.

Heraldry is personal: arms associated with the McGann surname were borne by specific families, and sharing the name does not mean sharing the blazon. Research your McGan family history with a full surname report and painted coat of arms.