This article written in the 1980's came from The Catholic University of America by Mr. William T. Malone. Deegan comes from O Duibhginn, itself made up of the words dubh 'black' (the first syllable of DUBlin), and ginn a form of ceann 'head' Deegan is the most common anglicized form but Duigan and Deignan show up in Counties Laois and Offaly. Even today we find more people with the name Deegan in these counties than in any other area of Ireland. Both 16th century fiants(government records), and the 1665 census indicate Deegan's popularity in this region. We can consider the midlands their homeland because the separate O Duibhginn families of Wexford and Clare have almost disappeared. But the three families share no heritage. Some noted midland O Duibhginn family maintained the bell in St. Molua's chapel in Kyle Parish in Laois. Their 2,000 acres fell into the hands of Sir Charles Coote who served Elizabeth I. He established his family in Laois (Kings'sCounty) and Cootehill, County Cavan, is named after in influential Ascendant family. Sharon