Surname Ragon - Meaning and Origin

Ragon: What does the surname Ragon mean?

The surname Ragon is of French origin and is considered to be topographic. It is derived from the Old French "ragon," meaning "fern." The name was likely initially given to individuals or families living in areas abundant with ferns. With migration and settlement over centuries, the surname has found its way in various countries, not just in France. Like many surnames, the spelling and pronunciation may have experienced slight changes due to cultural and linguistic differences. It's important to note that the meaning of a surname can vary significantly based on geographic location and historical context. Therefore, the interpretation provided lends one possible explanation of the surname Ragon but isn't definitive. Many surnames have multiple origins and meanings attached to them. Thus, to get a thoroughly accurate interpretation of the meaning and history of this surname or any surname, it's suggested to get a professional genealogy report.

Ragon: Where does the name Ragon come from?

The last name Ragon is most common in France today. According to French Genealogical Sources, the Ragon surname has its origins in the province of Dauphiné in eastern France. This region is particularly known for its vineyards and wine production. In ancient times, this area was part of the Duchy of Savoy, which explains the presence of French surnames in the region.

In the 19th century, at the height of French colonization, many individuals bearing the Ragon name emigrated from France to other parts of the world, particularly the United States. Today, about 600 people in the United States have the Ragon surname, making up only about 0.0001% of the total population. The Ragon surname is much more common in France, with approximately 4,000 people bearing the last name, according to national statistics.

France remains the most popular location for Ragon’s today, with the majority of individuals bearing the surname residing in the southeastern region of the country. In particular, the departments of Isère and Rhône in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region are known for their relatively large populations of Ragon’s. Additionally, Ragon's can also be found in eastern France, particularly in the departments of Loir-et-Cher and Loiret in the Centre-Val de Loire region.

Variations of the surname Ragon

The surname Ragon is an occupational name of Dutch origin derived from a term for someone who worked as a ‘wagoner’. It is mostly found in North America and has several variant spellings, such as Regan, Ragain, Reagen, Regen, Ragin, Rain, Reaune, Reganne, Regano, Rago, and Ragona. Additionally, the surnames Regane, Ragene, Regin, Reginhalf, and Regni are historically related and believed to have the same origin.

In the United States the surname Ragon is most prevalent in Texas, California, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, and Virginia. The states with the largest population of Regan/Ragon descendants are California, Texas, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Massachusetts. Outside the United State, the main countries of residence are Canada, England, Wales, Australia, and New Zealand, with a smaller presence in Ireland and Scotland.

In some families, the spelling of the surname was changed to Germanic spellings Regen or Regane, while other variations could be the result of changing pronunciations due to dialectical differences. The origin of Ragon as a variant of Regan or Regen is believed to be related to the Celtic surname Record, which is found in Scotland today. In any case, Ragon is probably a shortened version of Regan or Regen, although further research may confirm or deny this claim.

Famous people with the name Ragon

• Melissa Ragon: American lawyer, lobbyist and public policy activist.
• Elise Ragon: daughter of Melissa and 17-year-old spokesperson for the Epidermolysis Bullosa Medical Research Foundation.
• Richard Ragon: American vocal coach and recording artist.
• Timothy Ragon: well known chef and restaurateur from France.
• Tristan Ragon: French-Canadian painter.
• Olivier Ragon: popular French singer and musician.
• E.J. Ragon: American comic book artist and author.
• Carolyn Ragon: American poet and actress.
• Cecilia Ragon: film producer and director.
• Duane Ragon: musician from Louisiana.
• Jean-Baptiste Ragon: French painter from the 17th century.
• Kristina Ragon: American watercolor artist.
• Gilles Ragon: French journalist, author and TV host.
• Ronald Ragon: American entrepreneur and inventor.
• Gilbert Ragon: Swiss jazz musician and composer.
• Monique Ragon: French author and essayist.
• Adam Ragon: American artist and filmmaker.
• Xavier Ragon: French industrial designer.
• Andre Ragon: French filmmaker famous for his documentary films.
• Alexandre Ragon: French historian and CEO of UNESCO.

Other surnames

Ragozin