Surname Regan - Meaning and Origin

Exploring Ancestral Roots and Making Connections: My Experience with the iGENEA DNA test

Venturing into the roots of one's ancestral lineage is an exciting journey indeed. The iGENEA DNA test offers just that, with impressive precision and depth. Alongside unveiling intriguing insights about surname origins, it also paves the way to connect with a global community who share the same heritage.

K. Regan

Regan: What does the surname Regan mean?

The last name Regan is of Irish origin and is derived from the Gaelic surname "O'Riagain" or "O'Reagan," meaning "son of Riagain." It’s widely accepted that the name Riagain translates to "little king" or "the king's child." Therefore, Regan essentially means "descendant of the little king.” During the ancient times, this last name was commonly used to refer to the descendants of Riagain, who were a part of a noble, royal lineage. The name is widespread in Ireland, majorly in the counties of Meath and Dublin. Over time, due to Irish emigration, the surname Regan has also spread to England, the United States, and other parts of the world.

Regan: Where does the name Regan come from?

The last name Regan is a common family name in both the United States and Great Britain. In the United States, it is most commonly found in African American, Irish American, and Native American communities. It’s also popular in other English-speaking countries, such as Australia, New Zealand, and Canada.

In 2020, Regan was the 910th most popular surname in the United States, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. It rose seven spots from its previous position in 2010, showing its growing popularity. In Great Britain, the name Regan ranks 451st in terms of popularity, according to the Office for National Statistics.

The origins of the name Regan are closely tied to the ancient Irish name Riagán, which means “little king.” It was a popular name in the ancient Irish kingdom of Connacht, and it eventually spread to other parts of the British Isles. As Ireland and the United Kingdom continued to explore and colonize new lands, the surname Regan made its way to the Americas. Today, it can be found in numerous countries around the world, with the highest concentrations in the U.S. and Great Britain.

Variations of the surname Regan

Regan is an Irish surname, originating from the Gaelic language, and is usually pronounced as "RAY-gan". Variant spellings of the surname include Reaghan, Rhegan, Regann, Reagan, and Reagen.

The Irish Gaelic spelling of Regan is spelled O Reagain, which has a variety of anglicized surnames related to it, including O'Reagain, O'Regan, and O'Reagan. The surname Regan is also associated with other family names derived from the O'Reagain surname, such as Wehrgen, Rohrgan, Regann, Reagann, and Riagain.

Regan is also an anglocized version of the Scottish surname MacRegan. This surname is derived from the Gaelic Mac Riagain, which is a patronymic form taken from the personal name Riagan. The anglicized forms of MacRegan include MacRegan, M'Regan, Regan, Reagy, and Street.

Regan can also be an English surname, derived from the Old English ‘regen’ or ‘reegan’ meaning ‘royal one’. It can also be derived from the Old Germanic name 'Ragin'.

Overall, Regan is a common Irish, Scottish, and English surname with many different spelling variations. The different spelling variations are all related back either the Gaelic origins or the Old English/Old Germanic variants, most notably O Reagain, Mac Regan, and Ragin.

Famous people with the name Regan

• Nancy Regan: Former First Lady of the United States and an advocate for women's rights.
• Michael Regan: 33rd Administrator of the EPA, the youngest African American to lead a federal agency, and the first Black American in history to hold the position of EPA Administrator.
• Timothy Regan: Licensed Clinical Social Worker with expertise in life-span psychological issues, professional coaching, and trauma specialization.
• Josh Regan: Movie Director known for comedy films such as Bojack Horseman, The Righteous Gemstones, and Veep.
• Richard Regan Jr.: World-renowned harpist who has recorded core qualifications.
• Stacey Regan: Award-winning Radio, TV, and Film Actress.
• Edward Regan Murphy: Comedic actor (SNL, The Nutty Professor, and Shrek) and singer known for his character roles.
• Richard C. Regan: United States District Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
• Jeh Charles Regan: Former White House Staff Secretary and current Chairman of the US Federal Trade Commission.
• Jimmy Regan: Professional cyclocross and mountain biker from USA, he is multiple National Champion and National Team member.

Other surnames

Regal