Surname Ruane - Meaning and Origin

Ruane: What does the surname Ruane mean?

Ruane is an Irish surname, derived from the Gaelic "Ó Ruadháin." The prefix "Ó" typically means "descendant of," while "Ruadháin" is a personal name rooted in the Gaelic word "ruadh," which translates to "red." Therefore, the last name Ruane is often interpreted to mean "descendant of the red one," possibly referring to someone with red hair, ruddy complexion, or otherwise associated with the color red. This association could represent a symbolic or literal characteristic of the family's ancestral figure. The surname is widespread in Ireland, especially in the western counties of Mayo and Sligo. Like many Irish surnames, the spelling and pronunciation have varied over centuries and due to anglicization, with Ruane being one variant among others like Rowan, Rohan, and O'Rowane.

Ruane: Where does the name Ruane come from?

The last name Ruane is particularly common in Ireland today, although there is evidence that the name is found in different parts of the world, including South Africa, the United States, Canada, and Australia.

Ruane is an anglicized version of the Irish surname Ó Ruadháin, which is derived from the forename Ruadhán. At one point, the Ruadhán family was split into several distinctive clans, including the Ó Ruadháin of Uí Fiacra from Cavan, the Ó Ruadáin of Maigh Luirg in Leitirm, the Ó Ruadháin of Corca Dhuibhne in Kerry, and the Ó Ruadháin of Tuath Ratha in Offaly. Each of these clans has a separate and distinct lineage and not all of them are connected directly to O’Ruanans of Co Leitrim, which is thought to be the original source of the Ruane surname.

The Ruane family is renowned for its military prowess and the name is closely linked to specific activities, including those of the Ó Ruanans of Uí Fiacras in the Battle of Clontarf in 1014. As such, the surname may be associated with people who were involved in military activities at some point in Irish history.

Today, the Ruane name is still quite common in Ireland, especially in counties such as Kerry, Cavan, Leitrim, and Offaly, as well as in nearby regions. It is also quite popular in other parts of the world, including the United States, where the Ruanes of New England, and those who later moved to other states, are the most prominent source of the surname.

Variations of the surname Ruane

Ruane is an Irish surname that is derived from the Gaelic term Ó Ruadháin, meaning “descendent of Ruadhán.” Ruadhán is a male name of uncertain origin, but it may have come from the Irish word ruad, meaning “red.” Ruane is an anglicized version of the Irish surname found in County Mayo and County Galway, as well as parts of Scotland.

Variants of the surname include Ruane, O'Ruane, Rowan, O'Rowan, Roan, O'Roan, Rowe, O'Rowe, and Ruadhán. This surname can also be spelt Ruain, Rowin, Roain, Rouin, Roon, Rown, Roin and Ruadhan. Many different spellings are found within the same family and early records of the surname usually include multiple variants.

Surnames of similar origin to Ruane include Roone, Roonee, Ruane, Ruyne, Rhun, Ruine, Ruwne, Ruwin, Ruwyn, Rowen, Royn, Royne, Roynee, Roune and Rouney. All of these surnames have similar Gaelic roots as the Ruane surname, and all are variants of Ó Ruadháin.

Variants of the Ruane surname come from different sections of the country and have multiple spellings. As a result, it is important to research different spellings of the surname to ensure the proper spelling for each individual.

Famous people with the name Ruane

• James Ruane: singer, songwriter, and guitarist from London.
• Kathleen Ruane: Press Secretary for United States Senator Patrick Leahy.
• Richard Ruane: Emmy Award winner and Producer of “Gathering of the Vibes”.
• Jack Ruane: professional footballer who plays for Melbourne Victory FC in the A-League.
• Fred Ruane: American professional golfer.
• Felicity Ruane: British actress known for her roles in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince and Merlin.
• Niall Ruane: Irish actor best known for his roles in Home and Away and Home & Away: survival.
• David Ruane: American musician and composer.
• Stan Ruane: former professional American football running back in the NFL.
• Rosanna Ruane: British television presenter and journalist.

Other surnames