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HOGAN/O’HOGAN
The Hogans are a Dalcassian family whose ancestor was Ogan who was
descended from an uncle of Brian Boru, the most celebrated of all Kings
of ancient Ireland. The Dalcassians were a dynastic group of related septs located
in north Munster who rose to political prominence in the 10th century AD
in Ireland. The Dalcassian territory extended well beyond the boundaries
of County Clare, which was the heart of Thomond, the territory of the
Dalcassian septs.
The Hogans occupied the extreme north-eastern part of Thomond and their
chief lived at Ardcrony, near Nenagh, County Tipperary. The name is
numerous in Ireland, being among the hundred most common surnames. It is
estimated that the present Hogan population in Ireland is about eight
thousand with the great majority living in their original native habitat
in the counties of Tipperary, Clare and Limerick. There are also a
number in County Cork, whose origin is stated by O’Donovan to be
different from the Dalcassian Hogans. One of the minor Corca Laidhe
septs was O’Hogan. In the Irish language the name is O’hOgain but the
prefix “O” is only occasionally met with in the modern form in English.
In the seventeenth century the name was often written Ogan. There is a
place named Ballyhogan in the parish of Dysart, County Clare.
The most famous Hogan is probably John Hogan (1800-1858), an Irish
sculptor of international repute; but to the Irish, the romantic figure
of “Galloping Hogan” who was the hero of Sarsfield’s exploit at
Ballyneety in 1690 makes the most appeal. Maurice Hogan, S.J.
(1831-1917) did much work as an editor of manuscripts and produced his
best known book Onomnasticon Gaedelicum at the age of seventy
two. The first Minister of Agriculture in the Irish Free State was
Patrick Hogan (1891-1936) who was one of three brothers who
distinguished themselves in various activities during the 20th
Century.
Source: MacLaysaght, Edward; More Irish Families; page 182. |
