Surname Ryan - Meaning and Origin

Surprising Ancestry Discoveries: Unveiling the Unexpected Viking Roots of the Ryan Surname

Discovering one’s ancestral roots can be quite an adventure. Embarking on a genetic journey with iGENEA DNA testing, I expected to unearth the Irish origins of my surname, Ryan. Surprisingly, the test linked me to not only the Celts of Ireland but also the Vikings of ancient Scandinavia, a turn of events that awed and intrigued me!

B. Ryan

Ryan: What does the surname Ryan mean?

The last name Ryan is of Irish origin and is derived from the Old Gaelic name "Rian". The meaning of "Rian" is "little king" or "illustrious". So, Ryan implies descent from a family associated with a king and symbolizes royalty. It is a popular surname in Ireland and among the Irish diaspora. The name has been anglicized from its original form "O'Riain" where “O” indicates a male descendant of and “Riain” means king. Over the years, the spelling became simplified, resulting in Ryan. It is considered a common and widely used surname not only in Ireland, but globally.

Ryan: Where does the name Ryan come from?

The surname Ryan originates from Ireland, and it is derived from the old Gaelic name "O'Maoilriain", which means 'descendant of the follower of Rian'. The name Rian is likely connected to the Gaelic word 'rian' meaning 'water' or 'ocean'. In the ancient times, followers of a certain Rian, who was said to be a prince, became known by this surname. Over time, 'O'Maoilriain' was anglicized to its current form 'Ryan'.

The surname is very common in Ireland, ranking among the top five most common surnames in the country. It is also prevalent amongst people of Irish descent in other parts of the world including the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia. The large Irish diaspora during and after the Great Famine in the mid 1800s, has led to the widespread dispersion of Irish surnames. As a result, the name Ryan is not only common in Ireland, but also in these places where Irish ancestors have settled. Among famous Ryans are the American actor Meg Ryan and the award-winning Australian actress and writer Tammy Macintosh.

Variations of the surname Ryan

The surname Ryan is of Irish origin, derived from the Old Gaelic name 'O'Maoilriain', with 'O' denoting male descendant of, followed by the personal byname 'Maoilriain'. The byname means 'follower of Rian', with 'Rian' possibly meaning 'little king'. The surname Ryan has several variant forms, spellings, and surnames of the same origin including: O'Riain, Mulryan, O'Mulryan, Ryane, O'Ryan, Reyan, Rian, and Ryon.

In various regions and over different time periods, the original name could have been anglicized and adapted into different forms due to phonetic translations, cultural assimilation, or even clerical errors. Thus, this could also result in different but interconnected surnames.

Many Ryans in Ireland were also known as Mulryans, especially in Tipperary where the name is numerous. The two forms, Ryan and Mulryan, are used interchangeably and often confused with Regan and O’Regan in some parts.

'Sherlock' was another surname that was sometimes changed to Ryan, particularly in Wexford. Despite the different variants and spellings, 'Ryan' is the most popular spelling of the name. Today, the surname Ryan is common not only in Ireland but also in the United States, Canada, Australia, and throughout the English-speaking world.

Famous people with the name Ryan

• Ryan Reynolds: Ryan Reynolds is a Canadian actor and producer who has appeared in films like Deadpool, Waiting..., Blade: Trinity, and The Proposal.
• Ryan Seacrest: Ryan Seacrest is an American radio show host, producer, and television personality who is well-known for hosting American Idol.
• Ryan Gosling: Ryan Gosling is an Academy Award-nominated Canadian actor known for his roles in La La Land, Blue Valentine, Drive, and The Notebook.
• Ryan Murphy: Ryan Murphy is an American television writer, producer, and director, most widely known for creating the popular television shows Glee and American Horror Story.
• Meg Ryan: Meg Ryan is an American actress who has starred in films like Sleepless in Seattle, When Harry Met Sally, and You’ve Got Mail.
• Cynthia Ryan: Cynthia Ryan is an American singer and dancer who was a part of the musical group The Drifters.
• Mark Ryan: Mark Ryan is an English actor known for his roles in the films The Merchant of Venice and Pirates of the Caribbean.
• Paul Ryan: Paul Ryan is a former U.S. Representative and Speaker of the House of Representatives.
• Maureen Ryan: Maureen Ryan is an American television critic and journalist.
• Matt Ryan: Matt Ryan is an American football quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons.

Other surnames

RyalRyalesRyallRyallsRyalsRyasan