Ryan (Irish: ''Ó Riain'') is a common

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 ...

Irish Irish may refer to: Common meanings * Someone or something of, from, or related to: ** Ireland, an island situated off the north-western coast of continental Europe ***Éire, Irish language name for the isle ** Northern Ireland, a constituent unit ...

origin, as well as being a common

given name A given name (also known as a forename or first name) is the part of a personal name quoted in that identifies a person, potentially with a middle name as well, and differentiates that person from the other members of a group (typically a fa ...

in the

English-speaking world Speakers of English are also known as Anglophones, and the countries where English is natively spoken by the majority of the population are termed the '' Anglosphere''. Over two billion people speak English , making English the largest languag ...

Origins and meaning

Ryan coat of arms at Valley Inn pub, Murroe, Co

There are several different origins for the surname. In some cases it may be a shortened form of ''O'Ryan'', which is an Anglicized adaptation of the

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 ...

surname ''Ó Riain'', meaning "descendant of ''Rian''". It can also be a shortened form of ''Mulryan'' or ''O'Mulryan'', which are derived from the Gaelic ''

Ó Maoilriain Ó Maoilriain (anglicised as Ryan or Mulryan) is an Irish Gaelic clan based in what is today County Tipperary and County Limerick. The clan claims descent from Cathair Mór of the Laighin, but they first appear in the historical record in the 15 ...

'', meaning "descendant of the follower of ''Rian''". The meaning of the

Old Irish Old Irish, also called Old Gaelic ( sga, Goídelc, Ogham script: ᚌᚑᚔᚇᚓᚂᚉ; ga, Sean-Ghaeilge; gd, Seann-Ghàidhlig; gv, Shenn Yernish or ), is the oldest form of the Goidelic/Gaelic language for which there are extensive writt ...

name ''Rian'' is unknown. Some sources have suggested that it is related to the Old Irish word ''rían'', meaning "water" or "ocean". Others have suggested that it is related to the Old Irish word ''

rí Rí, or commonly ríg (genitive), is an ancient Gaelic word meaning 'king'. It is used in historical texts referring to the Irish and Scottish kings, and those of similar rank. While the Modern Irish word is exactly the same, in modern Scottish ...

'', meaning "king". Both of these etymologies have been discounted by scholars, however. According to John Ryan, Professor of Early and Medieval History at

University College Dublin University College Dublin (commonly referred to as UCD) ( ga, Coláiste na hOllscoile, Baile Átha Cliath) is a public research university in Dublin, Ireland, and a collegiate university, member institution of the National University of Ireland ...

, "What the ''Rian'' in the surnames ''Ó Riain'' and ''Ó Maolriain'' is has never been satisfactorily explained. Rian, like Niall, seems to be so ancient that its meaning was lost before records began." Popular modern sources typically suggest that ''Ryan'' means "little king" or "illustrious". There are also cases in which ''Ryan'' is an Americanized form of the German surname ''Rein''.

List of persons with the surname Ryan

A–D

Abram Joseph Ryan Abram Joseph Ryan (February 5, 1838 – April 22, 1886) was an American poet, Catholic priest, Catholic newspaper editor, orator, and former Vincentian. An active proponent of the Confederate States of America, he has been called the "Poet-Priest ...

(1838–1886), Catholic priest, poet * Aileen B. Ryan (1912–1987), New York politician * Allan Ryan, American attorney * Allan A. Ryan, Jr. (1903–1981), New York financier and politician *

Amy Ryan Amy Beth Dziewiontkowski, known professionally as Amy Ryan, is an American actress of stage and screen. A graduate of New York's High School of Performing Arts, she is an Academy Award nominee and two-time Tony Award nominee. Ryan began her pr ...

(born 1969), American actress * Andrew Ryan (disambiguation), several people *

Anne Ryan Anne Ryan (1889–1954) was an American Abstract Expressionist artist associated with the New York School. Her first contact with the New York City avant-garde came in 1941 when she joined the Atelier 17, a famous printmaking workshop that the ...

(1889–1954), American artist *

Anne Ryan (actress) Anne Ryan (born 1969), also known as Annie Ryan, is an American film, television and theatre actress. Ryan is known for such films and television series as ''Three O'Clock High'', ''Ferris Bueller's Day Off'', ''Lucas'', ''Bachelors Walk'' and ' ...

(born 1969), American actress * B. J. Ryan (Robert Victor Ryan Jr., born 1975), baseball player *

Barry Ryan (disambiguation) Barry Ryan may refer to: * Barry Ryan (Catholic priest) (born 1948) * Barry Ryan (footballer) (born 1978), Irish footballer *Barry Ryan (singer) Barry Ryan (born Barry Sapherson; 24 October 1948 – 28 September 2021), and also known as Barry ...

, several people *

Beatrice Judd Ryan Beatrice Judd Ryan (née Beatrice Bromfield; c.1880–December 1, 1966) was an Australian-born American gallerist, art dealer, curator, arts philanthropist, and poet. She was best known for her work in prompting modern art, as a founding director o ...

(c. 1880–1966), Australian-American art dealer, curator * Ben Ryan, rugby union coach * Bernard Ryan (1900–1921), member of the IRA hanged in Dublin in 1921 * Bernard Ryan, Jr. (1923–2020), American author *

Bianca Ryan Bianca Taylor Ryan (born September 1, 1994) is an American musician, singer and songwriter from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Ryan was the first winner of NBC's ''America's Got Talent'' at the age of eleven. Singing two Broadway show tunes along t ...

(born 1994), American singer and America's Got Talent winner *

Bill Ryan (disambiguation) Bill Ryan may refer to: * Bill Ryan (journalist) (1926–1997), American broadcast journalist * Bill Ryan (footballer, born 1944), former Australian rules footballer * Bill Ryan (footballer, born 1914) (1914–1966), Australian rules footballer * ...

, several people *

Billy Ryan William Richard Ryan Jr. (April 21, 1887 – December 20, 1951) was an American football player from Cleveland, Ohio, and a starting quarterback for the University of Notre Dame. Ryan began his career as the starting quarterback, placekicker a ...

(1887–1951), American football player *

Blanchard Ryan Susan Blanchard Ryan (born January 12, 1967) is an American actress. After working in MTV and other minor parts on television and independent film, she went on to star in the 2003 film '' Open Water'', for which she won the 2004 Saturn Award ...

(born 1967), American actress *

Bo Ryan William Francis "Bo" Ryan Jr. (born December 20, 1947) is an American former college basketball coach and player. He was the head coach of the University of Wisconsin–Madison Badgers men's basketball team from 2001 to December 2015. Ryan se ...

(William Francis Ryan Jr, born 1947), American basketball coach *

Bob Ryan (disambiguation) Bob Ryan (born 1946) is an American sportswriter. Bob Ryan may also refer to: * Bob Ryan (mayor) (born 1963), American municipal politician and businessman * Bob Ryan (meteorologist), meteorologist in Washington, D.C. * Bob Ryan (rugby league) (d ...

, several people *

Bobby Ryan (disambiguation) Bobby Ryan (born 1987) is an American ice hockey player. Bobby Ryan may also refer to: * Bobby Ryan (footballer) (born 1979), Irish footballer * Bobby Ryan (hurler) Bobby Ryan (born 23 October 1961) is an Irish former hurler. His league and ...

, several people *

Brendan Ryan (disambiguation) Brendan Ryan may refer to: * Brendan Ryan (Cork politician) (born 1946), Irish Independent (then Labour Party) Senator (1981–1993, 1997–2007) * Brendan Ryan (baseball) (born 1982), U.S. major league baseball player * Brendan Ryan (Dublin politi ...

, several people *

Bruce Ryan Bruce Loyola Ryan (1921–2002) was an Australian rugby league footballer who played in the 1940s and 1950s. Playing career Ryan was a champion school-boy sprinter, before being graded at the Newtown in 1940. He went on to play six seasons fo ...

(1921–2002), Australian rugby league footballer *

Buddy Ryan James David "Buddy" Ryan (February 17, 1931 – June 28, 2016) was an American football coach in the National Football League (NFL) and American Football League (AFL). During his 35-season coaching career, Ryan served as the head coach of the ...

(1931–2016), American football coach * C. J. Ryan (1943–2004), British priest and scholar of Italian studies * C. W. Ryan (1869–1944), American politician * Chris Ryan (disambiguation), several people *

Christopher Ryan Christopher Ryan (born Christopher Papazoglou; 25 January 1950) is a British actor best known for his roles as Mike TheCoolPerson in the BBC comedy series '' The Young Ones'', Dave Hedgehog in the BBC comedy series ''Bottom'', Tony Driscoll in t ...

(born 1950), British actor *

Claude Ryan Claude Ryan, (January 26, 1925 – February 9, 2004) was a Canadian journalist and politician. He was the director of the newspaper ''Le Devoir'' from 1964 to 1978, leader of the Quebec Liberal Party from 1978 to 1982, National Assembly of ...

(1925–2004), Canadian politician *

Cornelius Ryan Cornelius Ryan (5 June 1920 – 23 November 1974) was an Irish-American journalist and author known mainly for writing popular military history. He was especially known for his histories of World War II events: '' The Longest Day: 6 June 1944 D- ...

(1920–1974), Irish journalist and author *

Debby Ryan Deborah Ann Ryan (born May 13, 1993) is an American actress and singer. She started acting professionally onstage at the age of seven, and was later discovered during Disney Channel's nationwide search for new talent. Ryan's work for Disney Ch ...

(born 1993), American actress * Donald P. Ryan (born 1957), American archaeologist and writer * Donnell Ryan, Federal Court of Australia judge

E–L

* Edward Ryan (disambiguation), several people *

Eileen Ryan Eileen Ryan (; October 16, 1927 – October 9, 2022) was an American actress. The wife of actor and director Leo Penn, she was the mother of actors Sean Penn and Chris Penn, and of singer Michael Penn. Life and career Ryan was born in the Bro ...

(1927–2022), American actress * Felix Ryan (1897–1963), Australian rugby league footballer * Francis T. Ryan (1862–1927), American Medal of Honor recipient * Frank Ryan (disambiguation), several people *

Fred Ryan Frederick Joseph Ryan Jr. (born April 12, 1955) is an American media proprietor, political adviser, and lawyer who serves as the publisher and chief executive officer of ''The Washington Post''. He was the president and chief operating officer o ...

(born 1955), CEO of ''Politico.com'', former aide to Ronald Reagan *

Frederick Ryan Frederick Ryan (1876 – April 1913), was an Irish, Dublin-born playwright, journalist and socialist. Career Ryan became secretary of the Irish National Theatre Society in 1902. There he would create realistic satire with the play ''The Layi ...

(1876–1913), Irish playwright and socialist *

George Ryan George Homer Ryan (born February 24, 1934) is an American former politician and member of the Republican Party who served as the 39th governor of Illinois from 1999 to 2003. Elected in 1998, Ryan received national attention for his 1999 mor ...

(born 1934), Governor of Illinois *

George Ryan (Canadian politician) George Ryan (August 12, 1806 – February 5, 1876) was a New Brunswick farmer and political figure. He represented King's in the 1st Canadian Parliament as a Liberal member. He was born in Pointe de Bute, New Brunswick in 1806, the son o ...

(1806–1876), New Brunswick politician *

Gerry Ryan Gerard Ryan (4 June 1956 – 30 April 2010) was an Irish presenter of radio and television employed by Raidió Teilifís Éireann (RTÉ). He presented ''The Gerry Ryan Show'' on radio station RTÉ 2fm each weekday morning from 1988 until hou ...

(1956–2010), Irish radio presenter *

Greg Ryan Mark Gregory Ryan (born January 21, 1957) is an American former professional association football, soccer player who played as a defender (association football), defender in the North American Soccer League (1968–84), North American Soccer League ...

(born 1957), German-American soccer defender *

Gig Ryan Gig Ryan, born Elizabeth Anne Martina Ryan November 5, 1956, is an Australian poet. She is a recipient of the Christopher Brennan Award. Biography Ryan was born in Leicester, England in 1956. Her father is the Australian surgeon Peter John R ...

(born 1956), Australian poet * Harold M. Ryan (1911–2007), U.S. Representative from Michigan * Ibolya Ryan, Hungarian-American murder victim *

Ida Annah Ryan Ida Annah Ryan (1873–1950) was a pioneering United States architect known for her work in Massachusetts and Florida. She was the first woman to receive a Master of Science from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the first woman to re ...

(1873–1950), American architect * Ida Mary Barry Ryan (1854-1917), American philanthropist *

Irene Ryan Irene Ryan (born Irene Noblitt, Noblett, or Noblette; October 17, 1902 – April 26, 1973) was an American actress and comedienne who found success in vaudeville, radio, film, television, and Broadway. She is most widely known for her por ...

(1902–1973), actress * Jack Ryan (disambiguation), several people * Jane Ryan (disambiguation), several people * Jeff Ryan (disambiguation), several people *

Jeri Ryan Jeri Lynn Ryan (née Zimmermann; born February 22, 1968) is an American actress who played the former Borg drone Seven of Nine in '' Star Trek: Voyager'', for which she was nominated four times for a Saturn Award and won in 2001. She has reprised ...

(born 1968), U.S. actress * Jim Ryan (disambiguation), several people *

Jimmy Ryan (disambiguation) Jimmy Ryan may refer to: Sports * Jimmy Ryan (baseball) (1863–1923), American baseball player * Jimmy Ryan (Australian footballer) (1879–1954), for Collingwood * Jimmy Ryan (footballer, born 1945), English football player * Jimmy Ryan (footb ...

, several people *

Joan Ryan (politician) Joan Marie Ryan (born 8 September 1955) is a British politician who served as Member of Parliament (MP) for Enfield North from 1997 to 2010 and from 2015 to 2019. She was first elected as a Labour Party MP but later defected to join Change U ...

(born 1955), UK politician *

Joe Ryan (baseball) Joseph Philip Ryan (born June 5, 1996) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Minnesota Twins of Major League Baseball (MLB). He was drafted by the Tampa Bay Rays in the seventh round of the 2018 Major League Baseball draft, 2018 M ...

(born 1996), American baseball player * John Ryan (disambiguation), several people *

Jon Ryan Jonathan Robert Ryan (born November 26, 1981) is a retired Canadian professional football punter. He played college football for the University of Regina Rams, and began his professional career with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers (CFL) after being ...

(born 1981), Canadian gridiron football player * Joseph Ryan (disambiguation), several people *

Josephine Ryan Mary Josephine Ryan (29 December 1884 – 16 April 1977) was an Irish Nationalist. A member of Cumann na mBan and the honorary secretary of the executive committee, she took part in the 1916 Easter Rising and the War of Independence. Background ...

(1884–1977), Irish nationalist *

Katherine Ryan Katherine Louisa Ryan (born 30 June 1983) is a Canadian comedian, writer, presenter, and actress based in the United Kingdom. She has appeared on many British panel shows, including as a regular team captain on ''8 Out of 10 Cats'' and '' Never ...

(born 1983), Canadian/Irish comedian, writer, presenter and actress *

Kathleen Ryan Kathleen Ryan (8 September 1922 – 11 December 1985) was an Irish actress. She was born in Dublin, Ireland of Tipperary parentage and appeared in British and Hollywood films between 1947 and 1957. In 2020, she was listed as number 40 on ''Th ...

(1922–1985), Irish actress * Kathryn Ryan, New Zealand radio journalist *

Kelleigh Ryan Kelleigh Ryan (born January 15, 1987) is a Canadian Olympic fencer. Career Ryan won a silver medal at the 2011 Pan American Games and a gold medal at the 2015 Pan American Games in Toronto, both in the team event. She has also participated in t ...

(born 1987), Canadian fencer * Kevin Ryan (born 1949), New Zealand long-distance runner * Kyle Ryan (born 1991), American baseball player *

Lacy Ryan Lacy Ryan (c. 1694–1760), English actor, appeared at the Haymarket Theatre about 1709. Life By 1718 he had joined the company at Lincoln's Inn Fields, where he shared the lead with his friend James Quin. He took leading roles in ''Richard ...

, English actor *

Lance Ryan Lance Ryan (born 1 May 1971) is a Canadian operatic tenor, who has worked from Germany since 2005. He is known for singing Siegfried in Wagner's ''Der Ring des Nibelungen'', which he performed at opera houses in Europe including the Bayreuth Fest ...

(born 1971), Canadian operatic tenor *

Leo Ryan Leo Joseph Ryan Jr. (May 5, 1925 – November 18, 1978) was an American teacher and politician. A member of the Democratic Party, he served as the U.S. representative from California's 11th congressional district from 1973 until his assassinati ...

(1925–1978), Congressman from San Francisco, killed at Jonestown *

Lee Ryan Lee Ryan (born 17 June 1983) is an English singer, songwriter and actor, best known as a member of the boy band Blue. Ryan took part in the BBC series '' Strictly Come Dancing''. He was partnered with professional dancer Nadiya Bychkova and was ...

(born 1983), English singer-songwriter and actor * Liam Ryan (disambiguation), several people * Liza Ryan (born 1965), American visual artist * Lola Ryan (1925–2003), Australian artist *Lucille Frances Ryan, better known as

Lucy Lawless Lucille Frances Lawless (; born 29 March 1968) is a New Zealand actress and singer. She is best known for her roles as Xena in the television series '' Xena: Warrior Princess'', as D'Anna Biers on the re-imagined '' Battlestar Galactica'' seri ...

(born 1968), actress from New Zealand

M–R

* Michael Robert Ryan, a murderer from the UK *

Marion Ryan Marion Ryan (4 February 1931 – 15 January 1999) was a British singer in the 1950s in the early years of British Independent Television. She was once called "the Marilyn Monroe of popular song". Early life Born in Middlesbrough, North Ridi ...

(1931–1999), British singer * Mark Ryan (disambiguation), several people * Matthew Ryan (disambiguation), several people *

Meg Ryan Meg Ryan (born Margaret Mary Emily Anne Hyra; November 19, 1961) is an American actress. She began her acting career in 1981 when she made her acting debut in the drama film ''Rich and Famous''. She later joined the cast of the CBS soap opera ...

(born 1961), U.S. actress * Michael Ryan (disambiguation), several people *

Michelle Ryan Michelle Claire Ryan (born 22 April 1984) is an English actress. She played Zoe Slater on the BBC soap opera ''EastEnders'' (2000–2005). In 2007, she starred in the short-lived American television series ''Bionic Woman''. She appeared as the ...

(born 1984), British actress of Irish ancestry * Miles Ryan (1826–1887), Irish recipient of the Victoria Cross *

Mitchell Ryan Mitchell Ryan (January 11, 1934 – March 4, 2022) was an American film, television, and stage actor, who in his six decades of television is known for playing Burke Devlin in the 1960s gothic soap opera ''Dark Shadows'', and later for his co- ...

(1934-2022), American actor * Murray Ryan (1922–2017), American politician *

Myles and Connor Myles Antony Ryan and Connor Jerrade Ryan (born 19 October 1995) are a British musical duo and television presenters from Manchester, England who are best known for appearing on the fourth series of ITV's show Britain's Got Talent as part of the ...

Ryan (born 1995), British singers *

Nolan Ryan Lynn Nolan Ryan Jr. (born January 31, 1947), nicknamed "the Ryan Express", is an American former professional baseball pitcher and sports executive. Over a record 27-year playing career in Major League Baseball (MLB) spanning four decades, Ryan ...

(born 1947), baseball player * Patricia Ryan (disambiguation), several people * Patrick Ryan (disambiguation), several people * Paul Ryan (disambiguation), several people *

Peggy Ryan Margaret O'Rene Ryan (August 28, 1924 – October 30, 2004) was an American dancer and actress, best known for starring in a series of movie musicals at Universal Pictures with Donald O'Connor and Gloria Jean. Career Ryan joined her paren ...

(1924–2004), American dancer * Perry T. Ryan (born 1962), American author * Peter Ryan (disambiguation), several people * Phil Ryan (disambiguation), several people * Phyllis Ryan (1895–1983), Irish chemist and nationalist * Phyllis Ryan (actress) (1920–2011), Irish actress * Prestin Ryan (born 1980), Canadian ice hockey player *

Rex Ryan Rex Ashley Ryan (born December 13, 1962) is an American former football coach and analyst. Ryan was formerly the head coach of the New York Jets and Buffalo Bills of the National Football League (NFL), and also held various coaching position ...

(born 1962), American football coach; twin brother of Rob * Richard Ryan (disambiguation), several people * Richie Ryan (disambiguation), several people *

Rob Ryan Robert Allen Ryan (born December 13, 1962) is an American football coach who is currently the senior defensive assistant for the Las Vegas Raiders of the National Football League (NFL). Ryan has served as a defensive coordinator or assistant co ...

(born 1962), American football coach; twin brother of Rex * Robert Ryan (disambiguation), several people *

Ronald Ryan Ronald Joseph Ryan (21 February 1925 – 3 February 1967) was the last person to be legally executed in Australia. Ryan was found guilty of shooting and killing warder George Hodson during an escape from Pentridge Prison, Victoria, in 1965. R ...

(1925–1967), (Last person to be legally executed in Australia.) *

Ross Ryan Ross Edwin Ryan (born 13 December 1950) is an American-born Australian singer-songwriter and producer. His signature tune, "I Am Pegasus", was released in September 1973, which peaked at No. 2 on the Australian Singles. Its parent album, '' ...

(born 1950), Australian singer-songwriter *

Roz Ryan Roz Ryan (born Rosalyn Bowen; July 7, 1951) is an American actress, singer, and comedian who has worked for productions in film, television, and Broadway theatre for over 40 years. Ryan's first role on Broadway was in '' Ain't Misbehavin, a Fa ...

(born 1951), American actress

S–Z

Séamus Ryan Séamus Ryan (6 December 1895 – 30 June 1933) was a member of the Seanad Éireann from 1931 to 1933 representing the Fianna Fáil party. Early life He was born at the family farm in the townland of Deerpark in the County Tipperary Parish of K ...

(1895–1933), Irish senator *

Sheila Ryan Sheila Ryan (born Katherine Elizabeth McLaughlin, June 8, 1921 – November 4, 1975) was an American actress who appeared in more than 60 movies. Career Born in Topeka, Kansas, Ryan went to Hollywood in 1939 at the age of 18. Her acting career b ...

, (1921–1975), American actress * Sod Ryan (1905–1964), American football player * Taylor Ryan (Born 1993), Australian journalist *

Tomás Ryan Thomas F. Ryan (born 1944), better known as Tomás Ryan, is an Irish retired hurler and politician. At club level he played with Inniscarra and divisional side Muskerry and was also a member of the Cork senior hurling team. Ryan also spent 30 y ...

(born 1944), Irish hurler *

Thomas Ryan (disambiguation) Thomas, Tom or Tommy Ryan may refer to: Politics and military * Thomas Ryan (Commandant) ( 1790–??), soldier and penal administrator * Thomas Ryan (Quebec politician) (1804–1889), businessman and Senator from Quebec *Thomas Ryan (congressman) ...

, several people * T. Claude Ryan (1898–1982), American aviator and aeronautic engineer *

T. J. Ryan Thomas Joseph Ryan (1 July 1876 – 1 August 1921) was an Australian politician who served as Premier of Queensland from 1915 to 1919, as leader of the state Labor Party. He resigned to enter federal politics, sitting in the House of Represe ...

(Thomas Joseph Ryan, 1876–1921), Australian politician, premier of Queensland *

T. J. Ryan (hurler) T. J. Ryan (born 12 November 1974) is an Irish hurling selector and player. He is a former manager of the Limerick senior hurling team. Born in Garryspillane, County Limerick, Ryan first arrived on the inter-county scene when he first linked ...

(born 1974), Irish hurler *

, several people * Tim Ryan (disambiguation), several people *

Tina Rivers Ryan Tina Rivers Ryan is an American curator, researcher, author, and art historian. Her expertise is in new media art, which includes digital art, and internet art. She is an assistant curator at the Albright–Knox Art Gallery in Buffalo, New York si ...

, American curator, art historian * Tommy Ryan (disambiguation), several people *

Tony Ryan Thomas Anthony Ryan (2 February 1936 – 3 October 2007) was an Irish billionaire, philanthropist and businessman who co-founded the Ryanair airline. Through his establishment of Guinness Peat Aviation in 1975 he began a course of events which ...

(1936–2007), Irish businessman * Tony Ryan (scientist) (born 1962), British polymer chemist *

Una Ryan Una Ryan (born December 18, 1941) is a British-American biologist who has conducted research on vascular biology, publishing over 300 papers. After an extended research and academic career she began a career in the Biotechnology, biotech industry ...

(born 1941), Malaysian born biologist * Walter D'Arcy Ryan (1870–1934), lighting engineer *

Warren Ryan Warren Redman Ryan (born 27 October 1941) is an Australian former professional rugby league football coach and player. He is considered one of the most influential rugby league coaches of the 20th century. Ryan also played in the NSWRFL Premie ...

(born 1941), Australian rugby league football coach *

Willard Ryan Willard J. Ryan (May 8, 1890 – February 7, 1962) was an American teacher and football coach who served as the first head coach of the Green Bay Packers. Historically, Curly Lambeau has been credited as being the Packers' first head coach, ...

(1890–1962), American football coach *

Will Ryan William Frank Ryan (May 21, 1949 – November 19, 2021) was an American voice actor, musician and singer. He provided the voice of Petrie in the 1988 animated film ''The Land Before Time''. He was also known for his voice work as Eugene Meltsner ...

(1949–2021), American voice actor, singer, and comedian * William Ryan (disambiguation), several people *

Yasmine Ryan Yasmine Ryan (ca. 1983 – 30 November 2017) was a print, television and multimedia journalist from New Zealand. She was involved in covering the Arab Spring for ''Al Jazeera English''. Ryan also created documentaries. Biography Yasmine Ryan was ...

(c. 1983 – 2017) New Zealand journalist

Fictional characters

April Ryan April Danielle Ryan (born September 5, 1967) is an American reporter, author, and White House Correspondent for The Grio. From January 1997 to November 2020 Ryan served as a White House correspondent and Washington, D.C., bureau chief for Ameri ...

, appearing in the computer adventure games ''

The Longest Journey ''The Longest Journey'' ( nb, Den Lengste Reisen) is a magical realism, magical realist Adventure game, point-and-click adventure video game developed by Norway, Norwegian studio Funcom for Microsoft Windows and released in 1999. The game was a ...

'' and ''

Dreamfall ''Dreamfall: The Longest Journey'' ( nb, Drømmefall: Den Lengste Reisen) is an adventure video game developed by Funcom for Microsoft Windows and Xbox platforms in April 2006. On 1 March 2007, a sequel entitled ''Dreamfall Chapters'' was announc ...

'' *Andrew Ryan, the founder of Rapture and a major character in the 2007 video game ''

BioShock ''BioShock'' is a 2007 first-person shooter game developed by 2K Boston (later Irrational Games) and 2K Australia, and published by 2K Games. The first game in the ''BioShock'' series, it was released for Microsoft Windows and Xbox 360 pla ...

'' * Archie Ryan, the pseudonym of

Lincoln Burrows Lincoln Burrows, played by Dominic Purcell, is a Character (arts), fictional character and one of the two protagonists of the United States, American television series ''Prison Break''. The plot of ''Prison Break'' revolves around Lincoln being ...

, a fictional character from the television show ''

Prison Break ''Prison Break'' is an American serial (radio and television), serial drama television show, television series created by Paul Scheuring for Fox Broadcasting Company, Fox. The series revolves around two brothers, Lincoln Burrows (Dominic Purce ...

'' *

Barbara Ryan Barbara Ryan is a fictional character from the American CBS soap opera ''As the World Turns''. In the early 1970s, Barbara was played by a succession of actresses, but the actress most associated with the role is Colleen Zenk, who played her s ...

, character in the soap opera ''

As the World Turns ''As the World Turns'' (often abbreviated as ''ATWT'') is an American television soap opera that aired on CBS for 54 years from April 2, 1956, to September 17, 2010. Irna Phillips created ''As the World Turns'' as a sister show to her other soa ...

'' *Beth Ryan, a character in the 1987 movie ''

Throw Momma from the Train ''Throw Momma from the Train'' is a 1987 American crime comedy film starring and directed by Danny DeVito in his theatrical directorial debut. The film co-stars Billy Crystal, Anne Ramsey, Rob Reiner, Branford Marsalis, Kim Greist, and Kate Mulgre ...

'' *Burke Ryan, a character in the 2009 American romantic drama movie '' Love Happens'' * Caitlin Ryan, a character in the ''Degrassi'' franchise* *Jack Ryan, a separate character and the primary protagonist of the 2007 video game ''

'' *

Jake Ryan Jacob William Ryan (born February 27, 1992) is a former American football inside linebacker. He played college football at Michigan. He was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the fourth round of the 2015 NFL Draft. High school career In high s ...

, character in ''

Sixteen Candles ''Sixteen Candles'' is a 1984 American coming-of-age comedy film starring Molly Ringwald, Michael Schoeffling, and Anthony Michael Hall. Written and directed by John Hughes in his directorial debut, it was the first in a string of films Hughes ...

''/''

Hannah Montana ''Hannah Montana'' is an American teen sitcom created by Michael Poryes, Rich Correll and Barry O'Brien that aired on Disney Channel for four seasons between March2006 and January2011. The series centers on Miley Stewart (Miley Cyrus), a ...

'', TV character portrayed by

Cody Linley Cody Martin Linley (born November 20, 1989) is an American actor and singer. He played a recurring role as Jake Ryan in the television series ''Hannah Montana'', and was a contestant on the seventh season of '' Dancing with the Stars'', in whic ...

*James Francis Ryan, character in the 1998 American war film ''

Saving Private Ryan ''Saving Private Ryan'' is a 1998 American epic war film directed by Steven Spielberg and written by Robert Rodat. Set during the Battle of Normandy in World War II, the film is known for its graphic portrayal of war, especially its depictio ...

'' *Kevin Ryan, secondary character of the TV thriller show ''

Castle A castle is a type of fortified structure built during the Middle Ages predominantly by the nobility or royalty and by military orders. Scholars debate the scope of the word ''castle'', but usually consider it to be the private fortified r ...

'' *Mary Ryan, also known aka Blue Mary, a character in the ''

Fatal Fury ''Fatal Fury'', known as in Japan, is a fighting game series developed by SNK for the Neo Geo system. Games Canon * ''Fatal Fury'' – The first game of the ''Fatal Fury'' series allowed players to select one of three characters, Terry B ...

'' series and ''

The King of Fighters ''The King of Fighters'' (''KOF'') is a series of fighting games by SNK that began with the release of ''The King of Fighters '94'' in 1994. The series was developed originally for SNK's Neo Geo MVS arcade hardware. This served as the main plat ...

'' *Mr. Ryan, a character in the 1989 American science fiction comedy movie ''

Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure ''Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure'' is a 1989 American science fiction film, science fiction comedy film directed by Stephen Herek and written by Chris Matheson (screenwriter), Chris Matheson and Ed Solomon. The first installment of the Bill & T ...

'' *Nory Ryan, main character in book '' Nory Ryan's Song'' by Patricia Reilly Giff * Richie Ryan, fictional character in '' Highlander: The Series'' * Robert Charles "Rusty" Ryan in ''Ocean's 11'', ''12'', and ''13'' *Professor Sam Ryan, character in the television series ''

Silent Witness ''Silent Witness'' is a British crime drama television series produced by the BBC, which focuses on a team of forensic pathology experts and their investigations into various crimes. First broadcast in 1996, the series was created by Nigel McC ...

'' *Tommy Ryan, a character in the 1997 film ''

Titanic RMS ''Titanic'' was a British passenger liner, operated by the White Star Line, which sank in the North Atlantic Ocean on 15 April 1912 after striking an iceberg during her maiden voyage from Southampton, England, to New York City, United ...

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"Uí Dróna Kingdom"
by Niall C. E. J. O'Brien, April 27, 2015, ''Medieval News'' {{surname, Ryan Anglicised Irish-language surnames English-language surnames Surnames of Irish origin es:Ryan fr:Ryan ja:ライアン

Origins and meaning

List of persons with the surname Ryan

A–D

E–L

M–R

S–Z

Fictional characters

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