The Irish name O'Hagan is derived from the
native Gaelic O'hAgain Sept that was originally rendered as O'hOgain, from a
Gaelic word meaning 'young'.
Until the destruction of Gaelic order in
the 17th Century the O'Hagan's were one of the most powerful and
influential families in Ulster, holding the title Lord of
Tullohogue.
Chiefs of the Clan Feargusa, they
descended from Fergus grandson of Niall of the Nine Hostages. King of
Ireland from 370 to 406. For over six hundred years the O'Hagan's were
hereditary brehons and inaugurators of O'Neill as King of Ulster.
According to tradition, O'Hagan inaugurated
O'Neill by putting on his slipper hence the shoe always appears in the Coat of Arms. In right of their profession they were granted vast Estates in Dungannon
Upper Barony in East Tyrone. Before the 1200's branches of the sept were established in Monoghan and Armagh and soon spread into neighbouring Antrim, Derry and Down. Two places called Ballyagan, one in Derry and the other in Antrim attest to the
O'Hagans predominance in the region.
