Sir John Vaughan (died 1643) was a Welsh-born soldier and administrator who settled in Ireland during the Plantation of Ulster, and is most remembered for his long association with the city of Derry.

He came to Ireland in 1599 as a company commander with Henry Docwra and was granted land in County Donegal.

[3] He was made military governor of the town in 1611, repairing the fortifications originally built by Docwra,[3] and was knighted in 1615.

[4] As governor he was responsible for building many of the town's significant structures, notably Derry city walls and St Columb's Cathedral, completed under his supervision in 1633.

[5] Vaughan was responsible for organising the defence of Derry during the 1641 rebellion and early part of the Confederate Wars, but died in 1643 and was succeeded as governor by Robert Stewart.