This name, with variant spelling McGawran, McGa(g)hran, McGarran, Magerchrane and McGaher(a)n, is an anglicized form of the Olde Gaelic (Irish) Mac Eachrain. The Gaelic prefix 'mac' means 'son of', plus the personal byname 'Eachrain', containing the element 'each', a horse. This sept originally belonged to Breffny and their territory lay in County Cavan and West Leitrim where the name is still most numerous to-day. On July 24th 1864 Margarett, a daughter was born to Patrick and Alice McGaghran in Swanlinton, County Cavan. On September 22nd 1866 Marie, daughter of James and Catherine McGaheran, was born in Rowan, County Leitrim, and on November 27th 1869 the birth of Michael, son of William McGahern and Margaret Mullen, was recorded in County Cavan. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Mary, daughter of John McGahern and Margaret Reilly, which was dated January 2nd 1807, born in County Cavan, during the reign of King George III of England, Farmer George, 1760 - 1820. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.

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