Vaughan is an English and Welsh first name derived from a Welsh surname. The surname itself originated from the Welsh word bychan (mutated to fychan), meaning "little". As a given name, it has been in occasional use, especially in the 20th century, and is closely related to the variant form Vaughn, which is both a root and an English variant. The surname Vaughan is famously associated with the city of Vaughan, Ontario, Canada. The township was named after Benjamin Vaughan, a British commissioner who signed a peace treaty with the United States in 1783. Today, Vaughan is a major city in the Greater Toronto Area, with a population of 323,103 in 2021. It experienced explosive growth between 1996 and 2006, increasing by 80.2%, and has nearly doubled in population since 1991. Etymology Vaughan comes from the Welsh fychan, a soft-mutated form of bychan, which means "little" or "small." This type of mutation is common in Welsh surnames, often denoting a younger son or a person of small stature. The original surname was used as a distinguishing epithet, similar to other Welsh surnames like Wynn (meaning "white" or "fair") or Lloyd (meaning "gray"). Notable Bearers Despite its origin as a surname, Vaughan has been borne by several notable individuals as a first name. Among them is Vaughan Williams, the renowned English composer (although his given name was Ralph, Vaughan was his middle name). Others include musicians like Vaughn Monroe (often spelled with the variant Vaughn) and the singer/songwriter Vaughan Mason. As a surname, Vaughan has been carried by many influential figures, including Henry Vaughan, the 17th-century Welsh metaphysical poet, and Sarah Vaughan, the legendary American jazz singer known as "Sassy." Cultural Significance The name Vaughan is deeply rooted in Welsh onomastic traditions, where surnames often reflect physical characteristics or familial relationships. In the context of city names, Vaughan, Ontario, stands as a testament to the spread of British surnames in North America through early colonial officials. Meaning: "Little" (from Welsh bychan/fychan) Origin: Welsh surname adopted as a given name Type: Masculine Usage Regions: England and Wales (primarily)