Colgan is an Irish surname and given name, derived from the Gaelic 'Colla Ghabhán', which means 'Colla of the smith'. It is also associated with the Irish sept of Ui Colgáin, who were known for their skill in metalwork. The name has been anglicized to various forms including Colgan, Colkin, and Colligan. In Ireland, it was traditionally found mainly in counties Kerry and Cork. Today, it is still prevalent among Irish families but has also become more widespread internationally due to emigration patterns over the centuries.
The name Colgan was consistently popular between 2002 and 2016, with five babies named Colgan born each year during this period.