Behan — Irish Surname Origin & Meaning
Irish form: O Beachain
Meaning: 'little bee'
Traditional stronghold: Dublin, Kildare
Pronunciation: BEE-han; Irish O Beachain: oh BAKH-awn
History of the Behan name
Behan derives from beach, 'bee', with a diminutive ending, an old personal name or nickname rendered as 'little bee'. The family was chiefly located in Kildare and neighbouring parts of Dublin and Wicklow, never forming a large or politically prominent sept, which kept the surname relatively uncommon compared with major Leinster names. It became far better known in the 20th century through Dublin's most celebrated literary family of that name, who brought Behan to international attention well beyond its modest medieval origins.
Variants: Beaghan · Beehan · Behane
Famous bearers of the name
- Brendan Behan — Dublin playwright and writer, author of Borstal Boy and The Quare Fellow
- Dominic Behan — Dublin songwriter and writer, brother of Brendan
- Kathleen Behan — Dublin memoirist and mother of the Behan literary family
Related names from the same part of Ireland: Byrne · Casey · Bermingham · Aylmer · Carey · Cosgrave · Ennis · Keegan