Reganne

The name Reganne is an Anglicized form of the Irish Gaelic name Ríoghnach, which means "queenly" or "royal." Its origin can be traced back to the 5th century in Ireland, where it was derived from the Old Irish word "rígain," meaning "a little queen."

The earliest known bearer of this name was Ríoghnach Ní Bhriain, an Irish princess who lived in the late 11th century. She was the daughter of Toirdelbach Ua Briain, King of Munster, and played a significant role in the political affairs of her time.

In the 12th century, the name Ríoghnach appeared in the Annals of Inisfallen, a chronicle of medieval Irish history. It was recorded as the name of a woman who was abducted during a conflict between rival clans.

One of the most notable historical figures with this name was Ríoghnach inghean Uí Bhriain, who lived in the late 12th century. She was the daughter of Domhnall Mór Ua Briain, King of Thomond, and was renowned for her patronage of the arts and literature.

In the 16th century, the Anglicized form "Reganne" emerged as a variant of the Irish name. One of the earliest recorded instances of this spelling was in the baptismal records of St. Patrick's Cathedral in Dublin, where a woman named Reganne O'Connell was christened in 1587.

Another notable bearer of the name was Reganne O'Reilly, an Irish noblewoman who lived in the late 16th century. She was the wife of Séan O'Reilly, Lord of East Breffny, and played a significant role in the Irish Confederate Wars of the 1640s.

In the 17th century, the name Reganne appeared in the writings of the Irish poet and philosopher William Molyneux, who mentioned a woman named Reganne Fitzgerald in his correspondence.