Origin of your surname and forename !
NomOrigine

Last Name Regan

Discover my family history now

What is the origin of the last name Regan?

The surname Regan is of Irish origin. It is an Anglicized form of the Gaelic name Ó Riain, meaning "descendant of Raghan". The name Raghan was a personal name derived from the Irish word ráth, meaning "fort". Over time, the name evolved into various spellings including O'Ryan, Regan, and Reagen. It is most notably associated with Ireland, particularly County Cork and County Limerick.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Regan

The meaning and origin of the last name Regan

The surname Regan is of Irish origin and has its roots in Gaelic language and culture. It is an anglicized form of several Gaelic names, most notably "O'Riagain" which means "descendant of Riagan," a personal name derived from the word "ri" meaning king or ruler, and "agan" or "aiginn," meaning little or diminutive. The name was originally used as a byname for someone who served in a minor position at the royal court. Over time, the "O'-" prefix was dropped during the English conquest of Ireland to create the modern form of the surname Regan. This surname is widespread among Irish diaspora communities around the world.

Geographical distribution of the last name Regan

The surname Regan is predominantly of Irish origin and is most commonly found in Ireland. Historically, it is associated with County Clare and Galway in the west of the country, particularly the regions of Burren and Connemara respectively. However, its distribution has expanded over time due to emigration. In North America, a significant number of people with the surname Regan can be found in the United States, primarily in areas with high concentrations of Irish immigrants such as Boston, New York, Chicago, and San Francisco. Additionally, Canada, particularly Ontario and Quebec, also has a notable presence of individuals bearing this surname. In Australia, Regans are most prevalent in New South Wales and Victoria, reflecting the country's history of Irish immigration during the 19th and early 20th centuries.

Variants and spellings of the last name Regan

The surname Regan has several variations and spellings, primarily due to differences in transcription and phonetic transliteration over time. Some common variations include Reagan, Ragan, Raygan, and Reagen. These variations may arise from regional dialects or errors during the process of immigration and record-keeping. In Irish, the name Regan is derived from the Gaelic Ó Riain, meaning "descendant of Raghallach," a personal name based on ragallach, which means "little king." Additionally, some sources suggest that the name may also be related to the Irish word ráth-ghairn, meaning "ring fort," due to an early Regan stronghold being named after this term. These variations serve as interesting insights into the historical and cultural context of the surname Regan.

Famous people with the last name Regan

The Regan family has been associated with notable individuals in various fields. One of the most renowned is Ronald Wilson Reagan, born on February 6, 1911, who served as the 40th President of the United States from 1981 to 1989. Known for his conservative political policies, he was a prominent figure during the Cold War era. Edward Joseph Regan Jr., an American naval officer and diplomat, served as the White House Chief of Staff under Reagan's presidency. In entertainment, John Francis Regan, professionally known as Jon Voight, is an Academy Award-winning actor best recognized for his roles in films such as Midnight Cowboy and Coming Home. Lastly, Natasha Gregson Wagner, daughter of actors Anthony Perkins and Berry Berenson, married to director Ryan O'Neal, and the mother of actress Tatum O'Neal, is another notable Regan family member in the film industry.

Genealogical research on the last name Regan

The surname Regan originates from Ireland and is primarily associated with Counties Clare, Limerick, and Galway. According to Irish nomenclature traditions, it's believed that the name could be derived from an ancestor who was the son of Raghan, meaning 'little king'. Historically, the Regan sept belonged to the Dalcais, a powerful tribe in Munster. The Regans were chieftains in County Clare and held significant influence during medieval times. Notable figures bearing this name include John Regan, an Irish poet from the 17th century, and Patrick Regan, a British Army officer who served during World War I and was awarded the Victoria Cross. In modern times, the Regan family has been traced to various parts of the world through emigration, particularly to the United States and Australia.

Last name distribution maps

Chargement de la carte...

NomOrigine Team
About the author :

NomOrigine Team

Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.

Last updated :

Share the origin of your last name with your friends

Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Pinterest WhatsApp Messenger Telegram

Search the origin of a family name

Enter the surname you are looking for below:

Similar Last Names

#1 Regacion

Last name • surnames > regacion

The origin of the last name "Regacion" is likely Spanish or Portuguese. It may be topographic in origin, deriving from a place name where the original bearer lived or was associate...

#2 Regadino

Last name • surnames > regadino

The surname Regadino is primarily Italian and originates from the region of Lombardy, specifically the province of Brescia. It is a variant of the name Ragadin, which is believed t...

#3 Regai

Last name • surnames > regai

The last name "Regai" is of African origin and is believed to have originated from the Shona tribe in Zimbabwe. The name may have been derived from a personal characteristic or tra...

#4 Regal

Last name • surnames > regal

The surname Regal, like many surnames, has multiple possible origins. One theory suggests that it is of Old French origin and is derived from the word "regal" which means royal or ...

#5 Regal plaza

Last name • surnames > regal-plaza

The last name "Regal Plaza" is of Spanish origin. "Regal" is a common Spanish surname meaning "regal" or "royal", and "Plaza" is a Spanish word for "square" or "plaza".

#6 Regalado

Last name • surnames > regalado

The last name "Regalado" has its origins in the Spanish language. It is a surname of Spanish origin that is derived from the word "regalado," which means "gift" or "granted" in Eng...

#7 Regalario

Last name • surnames > regalario

The last name "Regalario" is likely of Spanish origin, derived from the word "regalar," which means "to give a gift" in Spanish. This surname may have originated from a family know...

#8 Regamey

Last name • surnames > regamey

The last name "Regamey" is of Swiss origin. It is derived from the old Germanic personal name "Raginmund," composed of the elements "ragin" meaning "advice" or "counsel" and "mund"...

#9 Regaña

Last name • surnames > regana

The surname Regaña has its origins in the Iberian Peninsula, specifically in Spain. It is a toponymic surname, which means it was originally given to someone who lived near a plac...

#10 Regaya

Last name • surnames > regaya

The last name Regaya is of Arabic origin. It is a surname commonly found in North Africa, specifically in countries like Tunisia, Algeria, and Morocco. The name likely has Berber r...

#11 Regehr

Last name • surnames > regehr

The surname Regehr is of German origin, specifically from Saxony and Thuringia regions. It is derived from the Old High German word "ragari" which means "raven." This name was orig...

#12 Regenass

Last name • surnames > regenass

The last name "Regenass" is of Swiss German origin. It is derived from the German word "Regen" which means rain and the suffix "-ass" which is a common ending in Swiss surnames. Th...

#13 Regencia

Last name • surnames > regencia

The surname Regencia is of Spanish origin. It is derived from the word "regencia" which means "regency" in English.

#14 Regent

Last name • surnames > regent

The surname "Regent" is of French and Old Norman origin. It is derived from the Middle French word "regent," which means ruler or governor. This name was often given to someone who...

#15 Reges

Last name • surnames > reges

The surname Reges has multiple possible origins depending on the specific regional variations. Here are two potential origins based on common variations: 1. Hungarian Origin: Deri...