The Clan/Sept History

Irish names tend to vary widely in their spelling and overall form. The original
Gaelic form of the name O Hagan is O hAgain, which was earlier rendered as O
hOgain. Traditionally, the name means young.

The recording of names in Ireland during the Middle Ages was an inconsistent
endeavor at best. Since the general population did not know how to read or
write, they could only specify how their names should be recorded orally.
Research into the name O Hagan revealed spelling variations, including Hagan,
Hegan, Hagen, O'Hagan and others.
First found in county Tyrone, where they held a family seat from ancient times.
A great mass of Ireland's native population left the island in the 19th century,
seeking relief from various forms of social, religious, and economic
discrimination. This Irish exodus was primarily to North America. If the
migrants survived the long ocean journey, many unfortunately would find more
discrimination in the colonies of British North America and the fledgling United
States of America. These newly arrived Irish were, however, wanted as a cheap
source of labor for the many large agricultural and industrial projects that
were essential to the development of what would become two of the wealthiest
nations in the western world. Early immigration and passenger lists indicate
many people bearing the O Hagan name: Agnes Hagan settled in New England in
1802; Alexander, Bernard, Charles, Henry, James, John, Michael, Patrick, Thomas
and William Hagan all arrived in Philadelphia between 1840 and 1860..