Hello! So if I google "What does the name Vaughan mean" it tells me that Vaughan is a name of Welsh descent and means small.

I recall somebody telling me that "irish names and surnames" by Patrick woulfe is of a different opinion. I THINK somebody told me that according to the author, there is a version of Vaughan of Irish descent, and it means "the early ones." I opened the free internet version of this book, but was unable to find anything about the name Vaughan outside of the index at the end, which gives no translation or specific knowledge. Does anyone know if there a version of the name Vaughan of Irish descent meaning something other than "small"? And if so, why should I believe this author over google AI?

The other surname I am interested in is Callaghan. Google AI tells me a good amount about what this name could mean... Anything from strife, to bright headed, to warlike, to lover of churches. Does anyone have any other references besides Google AI about what this name could mean?

Thanks in advance! I appreciate it.

Vaughan / Ó Mocháin
https://www.libraryireland.com/names/om/o-mochain.php

moch = early, -án noun ending, often for persons, originally a diminutive, "the early one"

Callaghan / Ó Ceallacháin
https://www.libraryireland.com/names/oc ... achain.php

ceallach + -án

Ceallach can indeed mean different things:
FGB (Foclóir Gaeilge Béarla) has "recluse, hermit" (from Latin cella = cell, hence cill = church)
eDIL (dict. of Old Irish) has cellach = "strife, contention"