behan

Behan is a surname of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic "Ó Beacháin," meaning descendant of Beachán. The personal name Beachán itself is thought to be a diminutive of "beach," meaning bee. This suggests a possible ancestral connection to beekeeping or a characteristic associated with bees. The O'Behan sept was historically associated with the province of Munster, particularly in County Limerick and County Clare. Over time, as surnames became standardized, the prefix "Ó" was often dropped, leading to the modern form Behan. Individuals bearing this surname can be found throughout Ireland and have also emigrated to other parts of the world, notably the United Kingdom, the United States, and Australia. Notable individuals with the surname Behan include the Irish playwright and novelist Brendan Behan, and his sister, the writer and activist Dominick Behan. The name, while not among the most common Irish surnames, holds a recognized place in the country's genealogical and cultural landscape.