RIORDAN
Riordan
Overview: Riordan is an Irish surname believed to have originated from the Gaelic surname "Ó Riordáin", meaning the descendant of Riordán. The name Riordan is primarily found in the southern parts of Ireland, particularly in counties Cork and Kerry.
History: The Riordan surname is thought to have originated from the Gaelic personal name Riordán, which means "royal bard" or "poet king". The Riordan family is believed to be descendants of the O'Sullivan Mor clan, who were prominent in Munster during medieval times.
Distribution: While Riordan is an Irish surname, it can also be found among the Irish diaspora in countries such as the United States, Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom. The surname has been carried by immigrants who left Ireland during the 19th and 20th centuries seeking new opportunities.
Famous Bearers:
- Tom Riordan: A British civil servant who has served as the Chief Executive of Leeds City Council.
- Pierce Brosnan (Birth Name: Pierce Brendan Brosnan): The Irish actor, known for portraying James Bond, has Riordan as a middle name.
Variants: Variants of the Riordan surname include O'Riordan, Rearden, and Reardon.
References:
- Hanks, P., Coates, R., McClure, P. (2016). The Oxford Dictionary of Family Names in Britain and Ireland. Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press.
- Riordan Family History. Retrieved from https://www.houseofnames.com/riordan-family-crest
Related Links:
There are approximately 1,867 people named Riordan in the UK. That makes it roughly the 4,450th most common surname in Britain. Around 29 in a million people in Britain are named Riordan.
Origin: Celtic
Region of origin: British Isles
Country of origin: Ireland
Religion of origin: Christian
Language of origin: Gaelic
Typical given names associated with the surname
Male
- Daniel
- David
- James
- John
- Mark
- Michael
- Patrick
- Paul
- Stephen
- Thomas
Female
- Alison
- Angela
- Catherine
- Eileen
- Elizabeth
- Emma
- Helen
- Jane
- Kathleen
- Margaret
- Mary
- Nicola
- Sarah