Surname Ragan - Meaning and Origin
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Rediscovering Ragan: How iGENEA DNA Test Unearthed a Rich Ancestral Tapestry
Receiving the results from my iGENEA DNA test marked a pivotal moment in my journey of self-discovery. Shattering my long-held belief of being predominantly of Irish descent, the test unveiled a hidden and unexpected tapestry of Celtic and Scandinavian heritage that has radically reshaped my understanding of my family identity and the significance of the 'Ragan' surname.
C. Ragan
read moreRagan: What does the surname Ragan mean?
The surname Ragan has Irish origins and derives from the Gaelic name Ó Riagáin, which means 'descendant of Riagán'. The meaning of the personal name Riagán is unknown, though it may possibly be a diminutive form of 'rí', meaning 'king'. Therefore, the surname Ragan could potentially signify 'little king' or 'descendant of the little king'. Like many surnames from Ireland, the spelling of Ragan has changed over time due to Anglicization or region-specific pronunciation, with variations including Reagan, O'Reagan, Regan, among others. It's also crucial to consider that in various cultures, surnames may have different meanings.
Order DNA origin analysisRagan: Where does the name Ragan come from?
Today, the last name Ragan is most commonly found in the United States. There are many smaller pockets throughout the world, including a few in Europe, some in Australia, and a few in Canada.
In the United States, the last name Ragan is particularly common in the South, in Texas, Mississippi, Georgia, Oklahoma, Alabama, and Louisiana. It also has a significant presence in Kentucky, Tennessee, California, and Virginia, and it is found in smaller amounts in a few other states.
The origin of the name is also thought to be from England. According to etymological sources, the name originally derived from the Middle English word "regni" which means "kingdom". It developed into the Germanic form "Ragan" and was used as an occupational surname for people who performed administrative tasks in royal courts.
The Ragan surname typically has roots in immigration during the nineteenth century. Records show that various individuals born in England, Germany, and other parts of Europe with the surname Ragan arrived in the United States during this period.
By the early twentieth century, there were enough people with the name Ragan in the United States to have it flagged in the 1920 census. Since then, the last name has seen steady growth and is now common in many parts of the country.
Variations of the surname Ragan
The surname Ragan is of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic surname O'Reagain, which is derived from the Old Irish root regan, meaning “rule” or “law”. This surname has a few variants spelling and surnames with the same origin.
Variants of the spelling Ragan include Regan, Reaghan, Reagan, Reganne, Reagann, Reagans, Ragans, and Raggans.
Regan and Reagan are popular variants of the surname Ragan, and have been recorded in the United States since the 1700s. Regan originates from an Irish ancient background and is also a variation of the original spelling Regan. The name is derived from the Irish given name Ó Riagáin.
Reaghan is an Irish surname meaning “descendant of Ó Riagáin”, and is thought to be a variant spelling of Regan. Reagan is a very common surname in the United States, in addition to being rare in Ireland. It may be a variation of the name Regan, or it may have its own distinct root, derived from the Celtic word riogin, meaning “mighty” or “royal”.
Reagann is a variant spelling of Ragan, and is thought to have originated from the old Irish language. It is an anglicization of the original name Ó Riagáin, which means “descendant of Riagán”.
Reagans is another variant of the surname Ragan, and may or may not be derived directly from the original Irish name. It is derived from the Irish Mac an Tighearna, which means “Son of the Lord”.
Ragans is an anglicized version of the Irish surname Ó Riagáin, and is thought to have originated from the old Gaelic language. It is used primarily in the United States.
Raggans is an alternate spelling of Ragans, and is prevalent in Scotland. It has its origins in the place names of Wigtownshire, Dumfries and Galloway.
Overall, the surname Ragan has many variants and spellings which have the same Gaelic origin. It is a very old name that has been passed down for generations in Ireland and throughout the world.
Famous people with the name Ragan
- Jessica Ragan: singer-songwriter, originally from Texas
- Ronald Ragan: US Army veteran, businessman and philanthropist
- Michael Ragan: minor league baseball player
- Brant Ragan: former professional basketball player
- Jack Ragan: former major league baseball player
- Paul M. Ragan Jr.: World War II veteran and Medal of Honor recipient
- John Ragan: former US National Guard member and businessman
- Daniel Ragan: country music singer-songwriter, known best for his hit single "Gunshine State"
- Lynn Ragan: NASCAR racing driver
- David Ragan: NASCAR racing driver