The family name Regan, along with its cognates O'Regan, O Regan, Reagan, and O'Reagan, is an

Anglicized Anglicisation is the process by which a place or person becomes influenced by English culture or British culture, or a process of cultural and/or linguistic change in which something non-English becomes English. It can also refer to the influen ...

form of the

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 ...

surname 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-form ...

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

Meath Meath may refer to: General * County Meath, Republic of Ireland **Kingdom of Meath, medieval precursor of the county ** List of kings of Meath ** Meath GAA, including the intercounty football and hurling teams ** Diocese of Meath, in the Roman Cath ...

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

. In the year 1029, Mathghamhain Ó Riagáin, 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 family said to be descended from Riagán, son of Donncuan, a 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 Kingship of Ireland by the Uí Néill and probably ended Viking invasion/domination of 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 ...

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

Persons with the surname

* Ash Regan (born 1974), Scottish politician * Bill Regan (disambiguation), several people *

Bob Regan Robert Joseph Regan is a Grammy nominated American country music songwriter. His chart credits include "Til Love Comes Again" by Reba McEntire, "Busy Man" by Billy Ray Cyrus, " Your Everything" by Keith Urban, "Soon" by Tanya Tucker, " Thinkin' ...

(born 1947), American country music songwriter * Brian Regan (disambiguation), several people *

Bridget Regan Bridget Catherine Regan (born February 3, 1982) is an American actress known for portrayals such as Kahlan Amnell in the television series '' Legend of the Seeker'', Rebecca Lowe / Rachel Turner in ''White Collar'', Rose Solano in '' Jane th ...

(born 1982), American actress *

Charles Tate Regan Charles Tate Regan FRS (1 February 1878 – 12 January 1943) was a British ichthyologist, working mainly around the beginning of the 20th century. He did extensive work on fish classification schemes. Born in Sherborne, Dorset, he was educat ...

(1878–1943), British ichthyologist *

Charlotte Regan Charlotte Regan is a British film director. She has directed many music videos, and her short films have been shown at major international film festivals. In 2023, her debut feature film '' Scrapper'' won the Grand Jury Prize for the World Cinema ...

, British director of 2023 film '' Scrapper'' *

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 (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 advoca ...

(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 * Erin Regan (born 1980), retired American soccer player * Eugene Regan (born 1952), Irish barrister and politician *

Fionn Regan Fionn Regan (born 1981) is an Irish folk musician and singer-songwriter. Born and raised in Bray, Regan came to prominence with the release of his debut studio album, ''The End of History'' in 2006. He had been releasing extended plays for six y ...

(born 1981), Irish folk musician * Frank S. Regan (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 John Vincent Regan (12 September 1912 – 11 August 1988) was an Australian rules footballer who represented Collingwood in the Victorian Football League (VFL) during the 1930s and 1940s. Playing career Recruited from Northcote, Regan str ...

(1912–1988), Australian rules footballer *

James Regan (disambiguation) James Regan may refer to: * James Regan (cricketer) (born 1994), English cricketer * Jim Regan (rugby), Welsh rugby union and rugby league footballer 1930s * James Regan (hurler) (born 1991), Irish hurler * James Regan (politician) James Thomas ...

, several people *

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 ...

(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, Londo ...

(1928–2013), English singer *

John Regan (disambiguation) John Regan may refer to: * John Regan (bassist) * John Keating Regan John Keating Regan (March 26, 1911 – March 9, 1987) was a United States district judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri. Education a ...

, several people *

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 o ...

(born 1962), English singer, songwriter and musician, lead singer of the band All About Eve *

Kelly Regan Kelly Maureen Regan (née Smith) MLA (born 4 February 1961) is a Canadian politician who has served in the Nova Scotia House of Assembly since 2009, most recently as the MLA for Bedford Basin. She was first elected as the Member for Bedford-B ...

(born 1961), Canadian politician, wife of Geoff Regan * Kenneth M. Regan (1891–1959), American politician * Larry Regan (1930–2009), Canadian National Hockey League player, coach, manager and executive * Laura Regan (born 1977), Canadian actress, daughter of Gerald Regan *

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

British

ac ...

(born 1949), English actress who appeared in the British TV show ''Hi-de-Hi!'' * Mark Regan (born 1972), English rugby union player * Mike Regan (disambiguation), several people *

Nancy Regan Nancy Margaret Regan (born March 20, 1966) is a Canadian actress, journalist, news anchor, and television personality, most known for her fifteen-year tenure as host of CTV's Live at 5, a live news and general interest television program reachi ...

(born 1966), Canadian news anchor, journalist and TV personality, daughter of Gerald Regan * Natasha Regan (born 1971), English chess player * Patrick Regan (disambiguation), several people *

Phil Regan (actor) Philip Joseph Christopher Aloysius Regan (May 28, 1906 – February 11, 1996) was an American actor and singer who later served time for bribery in a real estate scandal. Early years Born in Brooklyn on May 28, 1908, Regan was the oldest of fi ...

(1906–1996) *

Phil Regan (baseball) Philip Ramond Regan (born April 6, 1937) is an American former professional baseball pitcher, scout, and manager, who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Detroit Tigers, Los Angeles Dodgers, Chicago Cubs, and Chicago White Sox; he also ...

(born 1937), American Major League Baseball pitcher * Robert P. Regan (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 Hous ...

(born 1971), Canadian politician and former television personality * Terry Regan (born 1958), Australian former rugby league footballer * Tim O'Regan, American musician *

Tom Regan Tom Regan (; November 28, 1938 – February 17, 2017) was an American philosopher who specialized in animal rights theory. He was professor emeritus of philosophy at North Carolina State University, where he had taught from 1967 until his reti ...

(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 (film), 300'', ''Troy (film), Troy'', ''Unleashed (2005 film), Unleashed'', ''Clash of the Titans (2010 film), Clash of the Titans'' and ' ...

(born 1965), British actor

Persons with the given name

* Regan Hagar, American rock drummer * Regan Harrison (born 1977), Australian retired swimmer * Regan King (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 1 ...

(born 1991), Australian racewalker * Regan Lauscher (born 1980), Canadian luger * Regan Mizrahi (born 2000), American child actor * Regan Poole (born 1998), Welsh footballer * Regan Russell (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 (born 1975), American retired National Football League player

Regan 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' ...

, a daughter of King Lear in Shakespeare's play ''King Lear'' * Regan Abbott, character in the movie ''A Quiet Place'' * Regan Hamleigh, character in ''The Pillars of the Earth'' novel and miniseries * Regan MacNeil, the central character of the novel ''The Exorcist'' * Regan O'Neill, the narrator and viewpoint character of the novel ''

Luna Luna commonly refers to: * Earth's Moon, named "Luna" in Latin * Luna (goddess), the ancient Roman personification of the Moon Luna may also refer to: Places Philippines * Luna, Apayao * Luna, Isabela * Luna, La Union * Luna, San Jose Romani ...

'' by Julie Anne Peters * Regan Wyngarde, also known as Lady Mastermind, a Marvel Comics villain *

, 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 ...

'' * Rory Regan in the

DC Universe The DC Universe (DCU) is the fictional shared universe where most stories in American comic book titles published by DC Comics take place. Superheroes such as Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Robin, Martian Manhunter, The Flash, Green Lante ...

* Rusty Regan, a character in the Raymond Chandler novel ''

The Big Sleep ''The Big Sleep'' (1939) is a hardboiled crime novel by American-British writer Raymond Chandler, the first to feature the detective Philip Marlowe. It has been adapted for film twice, in 1946 and again in 1978. The story is set in Los Angel ...

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

See also

References