The family name Regan, along with its cognates O'Regan, O Regan, Reagan, and O'Reagan, is an Anglicized form of the Irish

surname In some cultures, a surname, family name, or last name is the portion of one's personal name that indicates one's family, tribe or community. Practices vary by culture. The family name may be placed at either the start of a person's full name ...

Ó Riagáin or Ó Ríogáin, from Ua Riagáin. The meaning is likely to have originated in ancient

Gaelic Gaelic is an adjective that means "pertaining to the Gaels". As a noun it refers to the group of languages spoken by the Gaels, or to any one of the languages individually. Gaelic languages are spoken in Ireland, Scotland, the Isle of Man, and Ca ...

''ri'' "sovereign, king" and the

diminutive A diminutive is a root word that has been modified to convey a slighter degree of its root meaning, either to convey the smallness of the object or quality named, or to convey a sense of intimacy or endearment. A (abbreviated ) is a word-formati ...

suffix ''-in''; thus "the king's child" or "big king". The name was borne by two distinct families: one seated in Meath, the other in

Thomond Thomond (Classical Irish: ; Modern Irish: ), also known as the kingdom of Limerick, was a kingdom of Gaelic Ireland, associated geographically with present-day County Clare and County Limerick, as well as parts of County Tipperary around Nenag ...

. The O'Regans of Meath were a branch of the southern Ui Neill and one of the

four Tribes of Tara The Four Tribes of Tara was an alliance of powerful clans that consisted of the O'Harts, O'Kelly's, O'Connolly, and the O'Regan. The princes of Tara were also styled princes of Brega, consisting of territory in the modern day counties Meath, Louth ...

. Before the Anglo-Norman invasion, they were lords of south

Breagh The Kings of Brega were rulers of Brega, a petty kingdom north of Dublin in medieval Ireland. Overview Brega took its name from ' ('), meaning "fine plain", in modern County Meath, County Louth and County Dublin, Ireland. They formed part of the ...

and the north of present-day

County Dublin "Action to match our speech" , image_map = Island_of_Ireland_location_map_Dublin.svg , map_alt = map showing County Dublin as a small area of darker green on the east coast within the lighter green background of ...

. They took a leading part in the wars against the

Danes Danes ( da, danskere, ) are a North Germanic ethnic group and nationality native to Denmark and a modern nation identified with the country of Denmark. This connection may be ancestral, legal, historical, or cultural. Danes generally regard t ...

. In the year 1029,

Mathghamhain Ó Riagáin Mathghamhain mac Cian was an Eóganacht Raithlind nobleman and maternal grandson of Brian Boru. He was the son of Cian mac Máelmuaid and his wife Sadhbh, who was a daughter of the High King Brian Boru. He died at the Battle of Clontarf in 1014 f ...

, king of Breagh, captured the king of Dublin, Amhlaoibh son of Sitric, releasing him only upon payment of an enormous ransom, which included the celebrated Sword of Carlus. The O'Regans were dispossessed soon after the invasion and dispersed through Ireland. The O'Regans of Thomond are a

Dalcassian The Dalcassians ( ga, Dál gCais ) are a Gaelic Irish clan, generally accepted by contemporary scholarship as being a branch of the Déisi Muman, that became very powerful in Ireland during the 10th century. Their genealogies claimed descent f ...

family said to be descended from Riagán, son of Donncuan, brother of

Brian Boru Brian Boru ( mga, Brian Bóruma mac Cennétig; modern ga, Brian Bóramha; 23 April 1014) was an Irish king who ended the domination of the High King of Ireland, High Kingship of Ireland by the Uí Néill and probably ended Viking invasion/domi ...

, and now numerous throughout Ireland. The unisex forename Regan is likely to have derived sometime later from the

Latin Latin (, or , ) is a classical language belonging to the Italic branch of the Indo-European languages. Latin was originally a dialect spoken in the lower Tiber area (then known as Latium) around present-day Rome, but through the power of the ...

'' Regina'' "queen", the feminine form of ''Rex'' (stem ''reg-'') "king", which is also the source of the name ''Reginald''.

Persons with the surname

Bill Regan (disambiguation) Bill Regan may refer to: *Bill Regan (baseball) (1899–1968), American professional baseball second baseman *Bill Regan (ice hockey) (1908–1995), Canadian professional ice hockey player * Bill Regan (footballer) (1873–1934), English profession ...

* Bob Regan (born 1947), American country music songwriter *

Brian Regan (disambiguation) Brian Regan may refer to: *Brian Regan (comedian) (born 1958), American stand-up comedian *Brian Regan (actor) (born 1957), British actor * Brian Patrick Regan (born 1962), American intelligence officer *Brian Regan (writer) Brian Regan is an ...

, several people * Bridget Regan (born 1982), American actress * Charles Tate Regan (1878–1943), British ichthyologist *

Daithí Regan Daithí Regan (born 1968 in Birr, County Offaly) is a retired Irish sportsperson. He played hurling with his local club Birr and was a member of the Offaly senior inter-county team between 1989 and 1999. Regan currently works as a hurling ...

(born 1968), Irish hurler *

David M. Regan David M. Regan is a Canadian psychologist, currently a Distinguished Professor Emeritus at York University and a Fellow of the Optical Society, American Academy of Optometry, Royal Society of Canada, and Canadian Psychological Association. From 1 ...

(born 1935), Canadian psychologist *

Donald Regan Donald Thomas Regan (December 21, 1918 – June 10, 2003) was the 66th United States Secretary of the Treasury from 1981 to 1985 and the White House Chief of Staff from 1985 to 1987 under Ronald Reagan. In the Reagan administration, he advocat ...

(1918–2003), U.S. Treasury Secretary and Chief of Staff to President Ronald Reagan *

Edward Regan Edward Van Buren Regan (May 14, 1930 – October 18, 2014) was an American politician and public figure from New York State. He was a member of the Republican Party. Regan's political career began on the Buffalo Common Council. He rose to pr ...

(1930–2014), American politician and government bureaucrat *

Eugene Regan Eugene Alexander Regan (born 12 June 1952) is an Irish judge who has served as a Judge of the European Court of Justice since October 2015. He previously served as a Senator for the Agricultural Panel from 2007 to 2011. Early and personal life ...

(born 1952), Irish barrister and politician * Fionn Regan (born 1981), Irish folk musician *

Frank S. Regan Frank Stewart Regan (October 3, 1862–July 25, 1944) was an American businessman and politician. Biography Regan was born in Rockford, Illinois and graduated from Rockford High School. He was involved with the Rockford Abstract Company. R ...

(1862–1944), American politician and businessman *

Geoff Regan Geoffrey Paul Regan (born 22 November 1959) is a former Canadian politician who served as the 36th Speaker of the House of Commons of Canada from 2015 to 2019. A member of the Liberal Party of Canada, he was the Member of Parliament (MP) for H ...

(born 1959), Canadian politician and federal cabinet minister, son of Gerald Regan *

Gerald Regan Gerald Augustine Paul Regan (February 13, 1928 – November 26, 2019) was a Canadian politician (as federal MP and later as Nova Scotia MLA), who served as the 19th premier of Nova Scotia from 1970 to 1978. Early life and education Regan was ...

(1928–2019), 19th premier of Nova Scotia, father of Geoff, Laura and Nancy Regan * Jack Regan (1912–1988), Australian rules footballer * James Regan (disambiguation) *

Jayne Regan Bobbie Stoffregen (July 28, 1909 – March 19, 2000), known professionally as Jayne Regan, was an American film actress. Her original name was sometimes seen as Bobby Stoffregen. Regan was the daughter of Herman C. and Anna Stoffregen. From age ...

(1909–2000), American actress *

Jessica Regan Jessica Regan (born 24 February 1982) is an Irish actress, known for portraying the role of Niamh Donoghue in the BBC soap opera '' Doctors''. For her portrayal of the role, she won the award for Best Female Acting Performance at the 2014 RTS M ...

(born 1982), Irish actress *

Joan Regan Joan Regan (born Joan Bethel or Siobhan Bethel; 19 January 1928 – 12 September 2013) was an English traditional pop music singer, popular during the 1950s and early 1960s. Biography Regan was born in either Romford, Essex, or West Ham, London ...

(1928–2013), English singer * John Regan (disambiguation) *

Judith Regan Judith Regan (born August 17, 1953, in Massachusetts) is an American editor, producer, book publisher, and television and radio talk show host. She is the head of Regan Arts. Early life and education Regan grew up in Fitchburg, Massachusetts and B ...

(born 1953), book publisher *

Julianne Regan Julie-Ann "Julianne" Regan (born 30 June 1962) is an English-Irish singer, songwriter, and musician. She achieved success in the late 1980s and early 1990s as the lead singer of the band All About Eve. AllMusic describes Regan as "certainly on ...

(born 1962), English singer, songwriter and musician, lead singer of the band All About Eve * Kelly Regan (born 1961), Canadian politician, wife of Geoff Regan *

Kenneth M. Regan Kenneth Mills Regan (March 6, 1891 – August 15, 1959) was an American businessman, World War I veteran, and politician who served four terms as a United States House of Representatives, U.S. Representative from Texas from 1947 to 1955. Early ...

(1891–1959), American politician * Larry Regan (1930–2009), Canadian National Hockey League player, coach, manager and executive *

Laura Regan Laura Regan (born October 17, 1974) is a Canadian actress. She has had leading and supporting roles in the films ''Saving Jessica Lynch'' (2003), ''My Little Eye'' (2002), ''They (2002 film), They'' (2002), ''Dead Silence'' (2007), and ''Atlas ...

(born 1977), Canadian actress, daughter of Gerald Regan *

Linda Regan Linda Regan (born 5 November 1949), born Linda Mary Drinkwater, is a

British

actr ...

(born 1949), English actress who appeared in the British TV show ''Hi-de-Hi!'' *

Mark Regan Mark Regan MBE (born 28 January 1972 in Bristol) is an English former rugby union player. Nicknamed 'Ronnie', he played as a hooker for Bristol, Bath, Leeds Tykes as well as England and the British and Irish Lions. Career Regan's England break ...

(born 1972), English rugby union player *

Mike Regan (disambiguation) Mike or Michael Regan may refer to: * Mike Regan (baseball) (1887–1961), American Major League Baseball pitcher * Mike Regan (lacrosse) (born 1978), American retired lacrosse player * Mike Regan (politician) (born 1961), American politician in Pe ...

* Nancy Regan (born 1966), Canadian news anchor, journalist and TV personality, daughter of Gerald Regan *

Patrick Regan (disambiguation) Patrick Regan may refer to: *Patrick M. Regan Patrick M. Regan (born September 1, 1956) is a professor of Political Science and Peace Studies at University of Notre Dame. His research focuses on International Relations and Conflict Management. ...

* Phil Regan (actor) (1906–1996) * Phil Regan (baseball) (born 1937), American Major League Baseball pitcher *

Robert P. Regan Robert P. Regan (January 4, 1936 – May 3, 1995) was an American politician and businessman. Regan was born in Chicago, Illinois. He went to Thornton Community College and to Illinois Wesleyan University. Regan was involved with the insuranc ...

(1936–1995), American businessman and politician *

Seamus O'Regan Seamus Thomas Harris O'Regan (born January 18, 1971) is a Canadian politician who served as the Minister of Natural Resources from 2019 to 2021. A member of the Liberal Party, O'Regan has represented St. John's South—Mount Pearl in the Hou ...

(born 1971), Canadian politician and former television personality * Terry Regan (born 1958), Australian former rugby league footballer * Tim O'Regan, American musician * Tom Regan (1938–2017), American philosopher, animal rights activist and academic *

Tony Óg Regan Tony Óg Regan (born 14 November 1983) is an Irish sportsperson. He plays hurling with his local club Rahoon-Newcastle and with the Galway Galway ( ; ga, Gaillimh, ) is a City status in Ireland, city in the West Region, Ireland, West ...

(born 1983), Irish hurler *

Trish Regan Patricia Ann Regan (born December 13, 1972) is a conservative American television talk show host and author. She hosted ''Trish Regan Primetime'' on the Fox Business Network from 2015 to 2020. Regan was previously a television host on Bloomber ...

(born 1972), American broadcast journalist and author *

Vincent Regan Vincent Regan (born 16 May 1965) is a British film and television actor, best known for his roles in ''300'', ''Troy'', ''Unleashed'', '' Clash of the Titans'' and ''Lockout''. Early life Regan was born on 16 May 1965 in Swansea, Glamorgan, Wal ...

(born 1965), British actor

Persons with the given name

* Regan Hagar, American rock drummer * Regan Harrison (born 1977), Australian retired swimmer *

Regan Hartley Regan Elizabeth Hartley (born 1990) is an American beauty pageant titleholder from Dover, New Hampshire. She was crowned Miss New Hampshire 2011 and represented her state in the Miss America 2012 pageant with an anti-bullying platform. Hartley has ...

(born 1990), Miss New Hampshire for 2011 *

Regan King Regan Matthew King (born 2 October 1980) is a New Zealand rugby union player who plays as a centre. He currently plays for Mid Canterbury in the Heartland Championship and Neath RFC in the Welsh Premier Division. He holds a British passport than ...

(born 1980), New Zealand rugby union footballer *

Regan Lamble Regan Danae Lamble (born 14 October 1991) is an Australian athlete. She was selected to represent Australia at the 2012 Summer Olympics and the 2016 Summer Olympics in the 20 km Road Walk race. Personal Lamble was born on 14 October 199 ...

(born 1991), Australian racewalker *

Regan Lauscher Regan Lauscher (born February 21, 1980 in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan) is a Canadian luger. Competing in three Winter Olympics, she earned her best finish of tenth in the women's singles event at Turin in 2006. Her second-place finish at the Luge W ...

(born 1980), Canadian luger * Regan Mizrahi (born 2000), American child actor *

Regan Poole Regan Leslie Poole (born 18 June 1998) is a Welsh professional footballer who plays as a right back for club Lincoln City. He previously represented Wales at U21 level. Early life Poole was born in Cardiff. Club career Newport County Poole ...

(born 1998), Welsh footballer *

Regan Russell On June 19, 2020, Canadian animal rights activist and protester Regan Russell was run over and killed by an animal transporter after a demonstration outside Sofina Foods Inc. subsidiary Fearman's Pork Inc., a pig slaughterhouse in Burlington, On ...

(1955–2020), Canadian animal rights activist *

Regan Smith The family name Regan, along with its cognates O'Regan, O Regan, Reagan, and O'Reagan, is an Anglicized form of the Irish surname Ó Riagáin or Ó Ríogáin, from Ua Riagáin. The meaning is likely to have originated in ancient Gaelic ''ri'' " ...

(born 1983), American stock car racing driver *

Regan Upshaw Regan Charles Upshaw (born August 12, 1975) is a former American football defensive tackle who played in the National Football League (NFL) between 1996 and 2004. He was selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the first round of the 1996 NFL D ...

(born 1975), American retired National Football League player * Regan Bunnell (born in 2009), Canada Ontario news in 2020

Fictional characters

* Regan (King Lear)">Regan_Bunnell.html" ;"title="* Regan Bunnell">* Regan Bunnell (born in 2009), Canada Ontario news in 2020

Fictional characters

* Regan (King Lear), a daughter of King Lear in Shakespeare's play ''King Lear'' * Regan MacNeil, the central character of the novel ''The Exorcist'' * Regan O'Neill, the narrator and viewpoint character of the novel ''Luna (Peters novel), Luna'' by Julie Anne Peters * Regan Wyngarde, also known as Lady Mastermind, a Marvel Comics villain *

Jack Regan (The Sweeney) ''The Sweeney'' is a 1970s British television police drama focusing on two members of the Flying Squad, a branch of the Metropolitan Police specialising in tackling armed robbery and violent crime in London. It stars John Thaw as Detective Insp ...

, protagonist of the British television police drama ''

The Sweeney ''The Sweeney'' is a 1970s British television police drama focusing on two members of the Flying Squad, a branch of the Metropolitan Police specialising in tackling armed robbery and violent crime in London. It stars John Thaw as Detective Ins ...

'' * Regan Hamleigh, character in ''

The Pillars of the Earth ''The Pillars of the Earth'' is a historical novel by British author Ken Follett published in 1989 about the building of a cathedral in the fictional town of Kingsbridge, England. Set in the 12th century, the novel covers the time between the ...

'' novel and miniseries * Rory Regan in the

DC Comics DC Comics, Inc. (doing business as DC) is an American comic book publisher and the flagship unit of DC Entertainment, a subsidiary of Warner Bros. Discovery. DC Comics is one of the largest and oldest American comic book companies, with thei ...

Universe The universe is all of space and time and their contents, including planets, stars, galaxies, and all other forms of matter and energy. The Big Bang theory is the prevailing cosmological description of the development of the universe. Acc ...

* Charlotte Sternwood Regan The Big Sleep * Regan Abbott, character in the movie A Quiet Place

References

{{given name, type=both Surnames of Irish origin Surnames of Scottish origin English-language surnames Surnames from given names

Persons with the surname

Persons with the given name

Fictional characters

Fictional characters

See also

References