SurnameDB – The Internet Surname Database

Underlined words are explained in our glossary.

This name, with spellings Bohane, Buhan, Bohen and Bughan, is an form of the Olde O Buadhachain. The Gaelic "O" indicates "male descendant of ", plus the personal Buadhachain from"buadhach" meaning victorious. This originally belonged to the province of , chiefly to Counties Leitrim and Galway where the name is still widespread. In Petty's census of 1659 O'Boughan appears as one of the principal names in West Carbery, County Cork. This spelling was also well recorded in the adjoining County Tipperary and further north in Offaly. In County Clare and South Connacht the name takes the form Bohanon while Bohane, which is rare is now confined to families of County Cork origin.

List Ancestral records for:- Bohan

Some researchers suggest that the county Cork Bohanes derive their name from the Gaelic "na mbothan" i.e. "of the huts or sheds" - a attached to a branch of the Sullivans. James Bohan, aged 24, who embarked from Liverpool on May 11th 1846, was a into New York. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of O'Bohen of County Leitrim, which was dated 1559, in the "Fiant Litterae Patentes", during the reign of Queen Elizabeth 1 of England, known as "", 1558 - 1603.
Your A4 printed scroll

Surname scroll

Bohan Surname Scroll

Printed A4 parchment scroll · 8.3 × 11.7 in

Enjoy this name printed onto our colourful scroll, printed in Olde English script. An ideal gift.

Buy 2 or more scrollsGet free shipping
  • Printed and dispatched within 5 working days
  • Royal Mail delivery to almost anywhere in the world
  • Research exclusive to The Internet Surname Database
See all photos and details →
The MyHeritage DNA testing kit

Partner offer

Bohan is one branch. Find the rest in your DNA.

MyHeritage DNA shows your origins across 2,114 regions and finds relatives through shared DNA.

Explore MyHeritage DNA (opens MyHeritage in a new tab)

SurnameDB is a MyHeritage partner and may earn a commission.

Historical records

Records about the Bohan family

SurnameDB is a MyHeritage partner and may earn a commission.