The Fagan Family
(Crest No. 140. Plate 64.)
THE Fagan family is descended from Milesius, King of Spain, through the line of his son Heremon. The founder of the family was Fiacha, son of Nial of the Nine Hostages, King of Ireland, 379, and ancestor of the Southern Hy Nials. The ancient name was Faghaine, signifying “The Prophet.”
The possessions of the sept were located in Kings County, Meath, and Westmeath. There were many highly respectable families of this clan, the head of which had the title of Baron of Feltrim in Fingal. The O’Fagans, or MacFagans, are considered by some to be of English descent. D’Alton, in his “History of the County Dublin,” mentions some of this family, who in the thirteenth, fourteenth, and fifteenth centuries were high sheriffs in Meath and Dublin.
The name is still numerous in the Counties of Meath, Westmeath, and Dublin and in America. Among its representatives in America may be mentioned Senator Fagan of Long Island City, N. Y.