Regan/Reagan
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Regan/Reagan Surname Genealogy
O'Regan and Regan are the anglicized forms of the Gaelic O'Riagain, descendant of Riagan, a personal name of uncertain origin. O'Regan became Regan and often Reagan in America.
Select Regan/Reagan Resources on The Internet
Ireland. There were three main O'Regan septs in Ireland, with three different origins:
Under English rule Regan had displaced O'Regan as the surname used. But O'Regan has made a comeback in the past fifty years.
England. Some O'Regans emigrated to England. Thomas O'Regan, for instance, attended Trinity College in Dublin and took up a church position as vicar in Shropshire in the 1840's. His brother John was Archdeacon in Kildare. Martin Regan was recorded as marrying Catherine Baldwin in Liverpool in 1849 and raising a family there. Lancashire was where most Regans from Ireland came to in England in the 19th century.
America. Regans and Reagans started to appear in Pennsylvania records from the 1730's. James and Michael Reagan were recorded as serving in the Revolutionary War. After the war they were traced to Tennessee and Georgia.
There were in fact many Reagans in Sevier county, Tennessee by the early 1800's. John Henninger Reagan, born there in 1818, migrated south to Texas as a young man. He rose in politics there and served the Confederacy during the Civil War. After the Confederate defeat, he suffered imprisonment but was able to return to public office as a Congressman. He later became chairman of the Railroad Commission of Texas. Reagan county in Texas was named after him.
Michael O'Regan, a tenant farmer from Tipperary, had come with his wife Catherine to America in 1857 and settled as Reagans in Carroll county, Illinois. Three generations later came Ronald Reagan. He was an actor, then a politician, and finally President of the United States.
Select Regan/Reagan Miscellany
Select Regan/Reagan Names
Maurice O'Regan, a secretary to the king of Leinster, wrote an account of the arrival of the Normans under Strongbow in the 12th century.
John Henninger Reagan was a leading politician in Texas during and after the Civil War.
Ronald Reagan was a Hollywood actor, Governor of California, and the 40th President of the United States.
Don Regan was Secretary of the Treasury and Chief of Staff during the Reagan administration.
Select Regans/Reagans Today
O'Regan and Regan are the anglicized forms of the Gaelic O'Riagain, descendant of Riagan, a personal name of uncertain origin. O'Regan became Regan and often Reagan in America.
Select Regan/Reagan Resources on The Internet
- Clan O'Reagan. O'Reagan clan website.
- Regan History. History of the Regan name.
- Ronald Reagan Ancestry. Irish ancestry of Ronald Reagan.
- Regan/Reagan DNA Project. Regan/Reagan DNA.
Ireland. There were three main O'Regan septs in Ireland, with three different origins:
- The first sept belonged at one time to counties Meath and Dublin
and were one of the
four tribes of Tara. After the Norman
invasion they were dispossessed and driven westward to county Laois.
- the second descended from Riagon, nephew of Brian Boru, and ruled in the ancient territory of Tuathmhumhan, present-day Clare, Limerick and Tipperary
- and the third sept resided in Carbery in west Cork and were kinsmen of the MacCarthys.
Under English rule Regan had displaced O'Regan as the surname used. But O'Regan has made a comeback in the past fifty years.
England. Some O'Regans emigrated to England. Thomas O'Regan, for instance, attended Trinity College in Dublin and took up a church position as vicar in Shropshire in the 1840's. His brother John was Archdeacon in Kildare. Martin Regan was recorded as marrying Catherine Baldwin in Liverpool in 1849 and raising a family there. Lancashire was where most Regans from Ireland came to in England in the 19th century.
America. Regans and Reagans started to appear in Pennsylvania records from the 1730's. James and Michael Reagan were recorded as serving in the Revolutionary War. After the war they were traced to Tennessee and Georgia.
There were in fact many Reagans in Sevier county, Tennessee by the early 1800's. John Henninger Reagan, born there in 1818, migrated south to Texas as a young man. He rose in politics there and served the Confederacy during the Civil War. After the Confederate defeat, he suffered imprisonment but was able to return to public office as a Congressman. He later became chairman of the Railroad Commission of Texas. Reagan county in Texas was named after him.
Michael O'Regan, a tenant farmer from Tipperary, had come with his wife Catherine to America in 1857 and settled as Reagans in Carroll county, Illinois. Three generations later came Ronald Reagan. He was an actor, then a politician, and finally President of the United States.
Select Regan/Reagan Miscellany
If you would like to read more, click on the miscellany page for
further stories and accounts:
Select Regan/Reagan Names
Maurice O'Regan, a secretary to the king of Leinster, wrote an account of the arrival of the Normans under Strongbow in the 12th century.
John Henninger Reagan was a leading politician in Texas during and after the Civil War.
Ronald Reagan was a Hollywood actor, Governor of California, and the 40th President of the United States.
Don Regan was Secretary of the Treasury and Chief of Staff during the Reagan administration.
Select Regans/Reagans Today
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For other surnames check the select surname page where there are to be found the history and genealogy of more than 500 common and notable surnames in the English-speaking world.