Surname · Irish origin
Callaghan
Meaning
The surname Callaghan means Descendant of the bright-headed.
Origin
Irish
Type
patronymic
Variants
1
The origin of the surname Callaghan
Callaghan comes from Ó Ceallacháin, linked to “bright-headed.”
What kind of surname is Callaghan?
Callaghan is a patronymic surname, derived from a father's or ancestor's given name. It belongs to the Irish naming tradition — you can read how Irish surnames were formed on our Irish last names page.
Variants & spellings of Callaghan
You may also see this surname written as:
- O'Callaghan
Other Irish surnames
Other patronymic surnames
Family names formed the same way, from different cultures.
Frequently asked questions
What does the surname Callaghan mean?
The surname Callaghan means Descendant of the bright-headed. Callaghan comes from Ó Ceallacháin, linked to “bright-headed.”
Where does the surname Callaghan come from?
Callaghan is a surname of Irish origin.
What kind of surname is Callaghan?
Callaghan is a patronymic surname, derived from a father's or ancestor's given name.
What are other spellings of Callaghan?
Variant spellings of Callaghan include O'Callaghan.
What are other Irish surnames?
Other Irish surnames include Boyle, Brennan, Byrne, Connolly, Daly, Doyle.