Mac Aodhagáin (English: Egan or Keegan), is an Irish Gaelic clan of Brehons who were hereditary lawyers - firstly to the Ó Conchobhair Kings of Connacht, and later to the Burkes of Clanricarde. The earliest surviving Irish law manuscript, In Senchas Már, was written prior to 1350 at a school (patronised by the Mac Aodhagáin) at Duniry, near Loughrea. Other branches of the clann maintained schools at Park, outside Tuam, and at Ballymacegan in Co. Tipperary. The work known as Leabhar Breac was produced by one of their students, while Dubhaltach MacFhirbhisigh may have studied at Ballymacegan under Flann Mac Aodhagáin up to the year 1643. Naming conventions The surname has been Anglicised in a variety of ways, including as Mac Egan, Egan, Eagan, Keegan, McKeegan, or Keigan, McKiegan, and McKagan. Annalistic references AC1225.30 Tadc O Finnachta, an officer of Aed son of Ruaidri [O Conchobair] was killed by Mac Aedacan's men on a plundering raid in this same war. AC1273.4 Jordan d'Exeter raided the Corann, and a few of the Connacht princes came up with his party; but they were incited to an unwise move by an evil(?) man, so that Domnall son of Donnchad son of Magnus [O Conchobair] and Magnus son of Art and Oirechtach Mac Aedacain and Aed O Birn and many others were killed. M1474.21 Gilla-Finn Mac Egan, Ollav to O'Conor Faly ... died. Gilla Fionn Mac Aodhagáin, Ollamh Ó Conchubhair Failghe M1486.29 Teige Mac Egan, Ollav of Annaly, was slain in an abominable manner by the descendants of Irial O'Farrell. Teige Mac Aodhagáin M1487.24 John, the son of Conor Mac Egan, Ollav of Clanrickard, and Hugh, the son of Brian, son of Farrel Roe O'Higgin, died. Sean mac Conchubhair Mac Aodhagáin M1529.8 Cosnamhach, the son of Farrell, son of Donough Duv Mac Egan, the most distinguished adept in the Fenechas, poetry, and lay Brehonship, in all the Irish territories, died, and was interred at Elphin. An Cosnamhach Mac Aodhagáin M1529.9 Mac Egan of Ormond (Donnell, the son of Hugh, son of Donnell), head of the learned of Leath-Mhogha in Feneachus and poetry, died. Domhnall mac Aedh Mac Aodhagáin Family trees from Geinealaigh Clainne Aodhagáin, below Muirchertach Mac Aodhagáin | |___ | | | | | | Saérbrethach Donnchad Mór Mael Ísu | | | | | | Mac Aodhagáin Mac Aodhagáin of Connacht, Magnus of Munster Westmeath and Leinster | | Aed | |