''Rónán'',

anglicised Anglicisation or anglicization is a form of cultural assimilation whereby something non-English becomes assimilated into or influenced by the culture of England. It can be sociocultural, in which a non-English place adopts the English language ...

as Ronan, is an Irish and

Breton Breton most often refers to: *anything associated with Brittany, and generally **Breton people **Breton language, a Southwestern Brittonic Celtic language of the Indo-European language family, spoken in Brittany ** Breton (horse), a breed **Gale ...

male given name and surname derived from , the Irish word for '

seal Seal may refer to any of the following: Common uses * Pinniped, a diverse group of semi-aquatic marine mammals, many of which are commonly called seals, particularly: ** Earless seal, also called "true seal" ** Fur seal ** Eared seal * Seal ( ...

'. The given name dates back to

Primitive Irish Primitive Irish or Archaic Irish (), also called Proto-Goidelic, is the oldest known form of the Goidelic languages, and the ancestor of all languages within this family. This phase of the language is known only from fragments, mostly persona ...

in the form (), found as an

ogham inscription Roughly 400 inscriptions in the ogham alphabet are known from stone monuments scattered around the Irish Sea, the bulk of them dating to the fifth and sixth centuries. The language of these inscriptions is predominantly Primitive Irish, but a ...

which translates as 'Rónán, son of Comgán'. In

Irish Mythology Irish mythology is the body of myths indigenous to the island of Ireland. It was originally Oral tradition, passed down orally in the Prehistoric Ireland, prehistoric era. In the History of Ireland (795–1169), early medieval era, myths were ...

, the name is derived from a legend, which tells the story of a mother seal who is warned never to stray too closely to the land. When the seal is swept ashore by a huge wave, she becomes trapped in a human form, known as a "

selkie Selkies are mythological creatures that can shapeshift between seal and human forms by removing or putting on their seal skin. They feature prominently in the oral traditions and mythology of various cultures, especially those of Celtic and ...

" or "seal maiden". Although she lives as the wife of a fisherman and bears him children, known as "ronans" or "little seals", she never quite loses her "sea-longing". Eventually she finds the "seal-skin" which the fisherman has hidden and slips back into the ocean. However, she cannot forget her husband and children and can be seen swimming close to the shore, keeping a watchful and loving eye on them.

Saints with given name

There are twelve Irish saints bearing the name of Ronan commemorated in the ''

Martyrology of Donegal A martyrology is a catalogue or list of martyrs and other saints and beati arranged in the calendar order of their anniversaries or feasts. Local martyrologies record exclusively the custom of a particular Church. Local lists were enriched by na ...

'', many of which may also have been named Ruadhán. These include: *

Ronan of Locronan Saint Ronan (''fl''. c. sixth century?) was an Irish people, Irish pilgrim saint and hermit in western Brittany. He was the eponymous founder of Locronan and co-patron of Quimper (France), together with its founder, Saint Corentin of Quimper, C ...

, a c. 6th century Irish pilgrim saint and hermit in western Brittany * Rónán Mac Bearaigh (died 665), founder of Druim Inesclainn (Drumshallon) (see

Féchín of Fore Saint Féchín or Féichín (died 665), also known as Mo-Ecca, was a 7th-century Irish saint, chiefly remembered as the founder of the monastery at Fore (''Fobar''), County Westmeath. Sources for his life and legend include Irish annals, marty ...

). * Rónán of Ulster, brother of St. Carnech, and grandson of Loarn, died 11 January 535. * Rónán Fionn is honoured as patron of Lan Ronan (Kelminiog) in Iveagh. His feast is celebrated on 22 May, both in Ireland and Scotland. * Rónán of Iona is explicitly referred to by

Bede Bede (; ; 672/326 May 735), also known as Saint Bede, Bede of Jarrow, the Venerable Bede, and Bede the Venerable (), was an English monk, author and scholar. He was one of the most known writers during the Early Middle Ages, and his most f ...

in the controversy with his countryman St

Finan of Lindisfarne Finan of Lindisfarne (died 10 or 17 February 661), also known as Saint Finan, was an Irish monk, trained at Iona Abbey in Scotland, who became the second bishop of Lindisfarne from 651 until 661. Life Finan was appointed to Lindisfarne in 651, ...

Bishop of Lindisfarne The bishop of Durham is head of the diocese of Durham in the province of York. The diocese is one of the oldest in England and its bishop is a member of the House of Lords. Paul Butler was the most recent bishop of Durham until his retirement ...

, 660. This controversy, on the calculation of the date of Easter, was ended at the

Synod of Whitby The Synod of Whitby was a Christianity, Christian administrative gathering held in Northumbria in 664, wherein King Oswiu ruled that his kingdom would calculate Easter and observe the monastic tonsure according to the customs of Roman Catholic, Ro ...

, in 664, when Rónán's views were upheld. This is the saint referred to in the title of Sir

Walter Scott Sir Walter Scott, 1st Baronet (15 August 1771 – 21 September 1832), was a Scottish novelist, poet and historian. Many of his works remain classics of European literature, European and Scottish literature, notably the novels ''Ivanhoe'' (18 ...

's book, ''

Saint Ronan's Well ''Saint Ronan's Well'' is one of the Waverley novels by Sir Walter Scott. Set in a fashionable spa in the Scottish Borders, it is the only novel he wrote with a 19th-century setting. Composition and sources The composition of ''Saint Ronan's Wel ...

''. Scott's St. Ronan was a Celtic monk, Bishop of Kilmaronen, who advocated the use of the Roman rather than Celtic manner. This St Rónán is also the

patron saint A patron saint, patroness saint, patron hallow or heavenly protector is a saint who in Catholicism, Anglicanism, Eastern Orthodoxy or Oriental Orthodoxy is regarded as the heavenly advocate of a nation, place, craft, activity, class, clan, fa ...

of the

Scottish Scottish usually refers to something of, from, or related to Scotland, including: *Scottish Gaelic, a Celtic Goidelic language of the Indo-European language family native to Scotland *Scottish English *Scottish national identity, the Scottish ide ...

town of

Innerleithen Innerleithen () is a civil parish and a small town in the committee area of Tweeddale, in the Scottish Borders. It was formerly in the historic county of Peeblesshire or Tweeddale. Etymology The name "Innerleithen" comes from the Scottish G ...

. He is commemorated as a

saint In Christianity, Christian belief, a saint is a person who is recognized as having an exceptional degree of sanctification in Christianity, holiness, imitation of God, likeness, or closeness to God in Christianity, God. However, the use of the ...

in the

Eastern Orthodox Church The Eastern Orthodox Church, officially the Orthodox Catholic Church, and also called the Greek Orthodox Church or simply the Orthodox Church, is List of Christian denominations by number of members, one of the three major doctrinal and ...

on 7 February. * Rónán of Lismore was a successor of St. Carthage, and several

Munster Munster ( or ) is the largest of the four provinces of Ireland, located in the south west of the island. In early Ireland, the Kingdom of Munster was one of the kingdoms of Gaelic Ireland ruled by a "king of over-kings" (). Following the Nor ...

churches were built in his honour. His feast is celebrated on 9 February 763. * Another saint of this name is best known by the ruined church of Kilronan (), Co. Roscommon, where Turlogh O'Carolan and Bishop O'Rourke are buried.

People with the given name

Ronan Bennett Ronan Bennett (born 14 January 1956) is an Irish novelist and screenwriter. He is best known for his work as showrunner, writer and executive producer of the drug and gang-related crime drama television series ''Top Boy''. His other writing cred ...

(born 1956), Northern Irish writer * Ronan Biger (born 1985), French football midfielder * Ronan Cordeiro (born 1997), Brazilian para-triathlete *

Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec (born 1971 and 1976) are brothers noted for their design work, which has been featured in publications and museums globally — and spans a wide range from tables and chairs to tableware, rugs, textile walls, office furnit ...

, Breton designers * Ronan Falcão (born 1985), Equatoguinean footballer *

Ronan Farrow Satchel Ronan O'Sullivan Farrow (born December 19, 1987) is an American journalist. The son of actress Mia Farrow and filmmaker Woody Allen, he is known for his investigative reporting on sexual abuse allegations against film producer Harvey Wei ...

(born 1987), American writer and activist *

Ronan Hardiman Ronan Hardiman (born 19 May 1961) is an Irish composer, famous for his soundtracks to Michael Flatley's dance shows '' Lord of the Dance'', '' Feet of Flames'' and '' Celtic Tiger Live''. Early life Hardiman was born in Dublin on 19 May 1961. ...

(born 1962), Irish composer *

Ronan Harris Ronan Harris (born 14 June 1967) is the founding member of the electronic music project VNV Nation. He is credited with the songwriting, production, lyrical and vocal aspects of the band's music. In the years preceding VNV Nation's debut album, ...

(born 1967), Irish musician * Ronan Hughes (born 1998), Scottish footballer * Ronan Huntley (born 2009), pyro technician * Ronan Huon (1922–2003), Breton writer * Ronan Keane (born 1932), Irish judge *

Ronan Keating Ronan Patrick John Keating (born 3 March 1977) is an Irish singer, songwriter, actor and presenter. He debuted in 1993 alongside Keith Duffy, Michael Graham, Shane Lynch, and Stephen Gately, as the co-lead singer (with Gately) of Irish pop g ...

(born 1977), Irish singer * Ronan Keenan (1932–2007), South African writer *

Ronan Labar Ronan Labar (born 3 May 1989) is a French badminton player. He won the French National Badminton Championships in the mixed doubles event in 2013, 2015 and 2017; also in the men's doubles event in 2014, 2015 and 2020. Achievements European C ...

(born 1989), French badminton player *

Ronan Lee Ronan Oliver Lee (born 4 January 1976) is an Irish Australian former politician and research fellow in the at . He was previously a visiting scholar at Queen Mary University of London's International State Crime Initiative. His research focuss ...

(born 1976), Australian politician *

Ronan Leprohon Ronan Leprohon (born Roger Leprohon; 22 March 1939 – 23 August 2017) was a 20th-century French Breton academic historian, politician, and lifelong Breton nationalist. Background Roger Leprohon was born on March 22, 1939. His father a milit ...

(1939–2017), French, Breton politician *

Rónán Mac Aodha Bhuí Rónán Mac Aodha Bhuí (6 May 1970 – 19 September 2023) was an Irish broadcaster who broadcast mainly through Irish. He is known particularly for his popular magazine programme ''Rónán Beo'' on RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta. He was born on 6 ...

(born 1970), Irish broadcaster *

Rónán mac Colmáin Rónán mac Colmáin was a King of Leinster following Brandub mac Echach (died 605). There were two men named Rónán mac Colmáin active in Leinster in the early seventh century and confusion exists as to which one was king. Some later sources ...

(died 605), Irish king *

Rónán Mullen Rónán Thomas Mullen (born 13 October 1970) is an Irish Independent politician (Ireland), independent Seanad Éireann, senator and former delegate to the Council of Europe. He is the leader of the Human Dignity Alliance, an extra-parliamentary ...

(born 1970), Irish politician * Ronan O'Brien (born 1974), Irish writer *

Ronan O'Gara Ronan John Ross O'Gara (born 7 March 1977) is an Irish former rugby union player and current coach. O'Gara played as a fly-half and is Ireland national rugby union team, Ireland's third most-capped player and second highest points scorer. He i ...

(born 1977), Irish rugby player *

Ronan O'Rahilly Aodogán Ronan O'Rahilly (21 May 1940 – 20 April 2020) was an Irish businessman best known for the creation of the offshore radio station, Radio Caroline. He also became manager of George Lazenby, who played James Bond in one film. Biography ...

(born 1940), Irish businessman *

Rónán Ó Snodaigh Rónán Ó Snodaigh (born 1 January 1970 in Dublin, Ireland) is a songwriter, composer, musician, poet and founding member and lead vocalist in the musical group Kíla. He has revolutionised the playing of the bodhrán and written many songs in ...

(born 1970), Irish musician * Ronan Pallier (born 1970), French Paralympian athlete *

Ronan Parke Ronan Parke (born 8 August 1998) is an English people, English singer from Poringland, Norfolk, who came runner-up in the Britain's Got Talent (series 5), fifth series of ITV show ''Britain's Got Talent'' in 2011 at the age of 12, despite bein ...

(born 1998), British singer *

Ronan Pensec Ronan Pensec (born 10 July 1963) is a former French professional road bicycle racer. He was professional from 1985 to 1997. Racing career Pensec was born in Douarnenez, Finistère, France. He became professional in 1985 with the Peugeot cycling ...

(born 1963), Breton cyclist * Ronan Racault (born 1988), French road cyclist *

Ronan Rafferty Ronan Patrick Rafferty (born 13 January 1964) is a Northern Irish professional golfer who formerly played on the European Tour. He won the European Tour Harry Vardon Trophy, Order of Merit in 1989 European Tour, 1989. Early life Rafferty was ...

(born 1964), Northern Irish golfer *

Ronan Sheehan Ronan Sheehan (born 1953) is an Irish novelist, short story writer and essayist. He was an early member of the Irish Writers' Co-operative (founded in 1974 by Fred Johnston, Neil Jordan and Peter Sheridan) and its Secretary from 1975 to 198 ...

(born 1953), Irish writer * Ronan Thompson (2007–2011), American who died of neuroblastoma cancer and subject of Taylor Swift song " Ronan" *

Ronan Tynan Ronan Tynan (born 14 May 1960) is an Irish tenor singer and former Paralympic athlete. He was a member of The Irish Tenors re-joining in 2011 while continuing to pursue his solo career since May 2004. In the United States, audiences know him f ...

(born 1960), Irish tenor and Paralympian *

Ronan Vibert Ronan David Jackson Vibert (23 February 1964 – 22 December 2022) was an English actor who was known for his appearances in films and on British and American television. Early life He was born in Cambridge, on 23 February 1964, the son of Dil ...

(1964–2022), British actor

People with the surname

Alfred Ronan Alfred G. "Al" Ronan (born December 3, 1947) is a former American politician. Born in Chicago, Illinois, Ronan received his bachelor's degree in political science and his master's degree in political and urban affairs from University of Illino ...

(born 1947), American politician *

Colin Ronan Colin Alistair Ronan FRAS (4 June 1920, in London – 1 June 1995) was a British author and specialist in the history and philosophy of science. Education Colin Alistair Ronan was educated at Abingdon School in Abingdon-on-Thames, Oxfordshire f ...

(1920–1995), British astronomer and writer *

Daniel J. Ronan Daniel John Ronan (July 13, 1914 – August 13, 1969) was a U.S. Representative from Illinois. Born in Chicago, Illinois, Ronan attended parochial schools. He graduated from St. Ignatius High School in 1933, from Loyola University Chicago ...

(1914–1969), American politician * Ed Ronan (born 1968), Canadian ice hockey player * Frank Ronan (born 1963), Irish writer * George Ronan, first graduate of

West Point The United States Military Academy (USMA), commonly known as West Point, is a United States service academies, United States service academy in West Point, New York that educates cadets for service as Officer_(armed_forces)#United_States, comm ...

to die in action *

Kian Ronan Kian Joe Ronan (born 9 March 2001) is an English-born Gibraltarian footballer who plays as a defender or midfielder for Chelmsford City and the Gibraltar national team. Club career Youth career Ronan played his youth football at Ipswich To ...

(born 2001), Gibraltarian footballer *

Niall Ronan Niall Ronan (born 14 September 1982) is a retired Irish rugby union player, who played for Leinster, Munster and Ireland during his career. He played as a flanker. Early years Ronan grew up playing Gaelic football and represented the Meath c ...

(born 1982), Irish rugby player *

Saoirse Ronan Saoirse Una Ronan ( ; born 12 April 1994) is an American-born Irish actress. Primarily known for her work in period dramas, she has received various accolades, including a Golden Globe Award, with nominations for four Academy Awards and sev ...

(born 1994), Irish and American actress * Susan Ronan (born 1964), Irish footballer *

William Ronan William John Ronan (November 8, 1912 – October 15, 2014) was an American public servant and academic who founded and served as the first chairman of New York City's Metropolitan Transportation Authority, from 1968 to 1974. He subsequently s ...

(1912–2014), American public servant and academic

Fictional characters

* Ronan (''Harry Potter''), in the ''Harry Potter'' universe *

Ronan the Accuser Ronan the Accuser is a character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby, he first appeared in ''Fantastic Four'' #65 (August 1967). In his comic book appearances, Ronan is d ...

, a fictional character in Marvel comic books *Ronan Erudon, in the massively multiplayer online role-playing game ''

Grand Chase ''Grand Chase'' () is a free-to-play, two-dimensional side-scrolling MMORPG, developed by the South Korean company KOG Studios. Alternative names for ''Grand Chase'' included ''Three Young Heroes'' ( zh, 3小俠), ''Eternal Adventures'' ( zh, � ...

'' *Ronan Lynch, in ''

The Raven Cycle ''The Raven Cycle'' is a series of four contemporary fantasy novels written by American author Maggie Stiefvater. The first novel, ''The Raven Boys'', was published by Scholastic in 2012, and the final book, ''The Raven King'', was published o ...

'' series of fantasy novels by Maggie Stiefvater *

Ronan Malloy Ronan Malloy is a fictional character from the American CBS soap opera ''The Young and the Restless''. Introduced by the former head writer Maria Arena Bell, the role was portrayed by Jeff Branson. After the character's debut, it was revealed t ...

, in the American soap opera ''The Young and the Restless'' *the title character of '' Ronan the Barbarian'', a 1995 novel by James Bibby *Alyson and

Tyler Ronan Tyler Ronan is a fictional character and the co-protagonist of the 2020 episodic narrative adventure game '' Tell Me Why'', a three-part narrative video game developed by Dontnod Entertainment and published by Xbox Game Studios in 2020. ''Tell Me ...

, the lead characters of the game '' Tell Me Why''

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Ronan Irish masculine given names Breton masculine given names Irish-language masculine given names Masculine given names

Saints with given name

People with the given name

People with the surname

Fictional characters

See also

References