Ballydargan

The townland's name was recorded as Balidergan as early as 1194 and appeared as Balydergan in 1333. Ballydargan was also known as Baile Ui-Deargain, O'Dargan's town. The name Deargán, meaning 'little red (-haired) one', forms the basis of the surname Ó Deargáin, which Woulfe (1923) describes as an old surname found in Westmeath, Offaly, and Cork. This surname can be anglicized to Dargan, Dergan, Dorgan, and Dorrigan. It is possible that the final element of Ballydargan is derived from the surname Ó Deargáin, though this surname is relatively uncommon in the north of Ireland, making this less likely. Historically, the townland was divided into Upper and Lower sections. In 1205 John de Courcy…