Regan
Derived from the Irish surname Ó Ríagáin, meaning "descendant of Ríagán," a personal name of uncertain origin.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 25,501 Americans carry the last name Regan. That puts it at #1,642 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 7.44 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 13,441 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Regan surname. You will find the Census Bureau frequency data, an ancestry and ethnicity breakdown based on self-reported demographics, the name's meaning and origin where available, and answers to the most common questions people ask about this surname.
Bearers in the US
26K
1 in 13,441
Census rank
#1,642
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
7.4
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
22K
uncommon in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 21,951 bearers of the surname Regan in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 7.44 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 1642nd position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Regan, the largest self-reported group is White at 92.9%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (2.6%) and Black (1.9%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Regan
The surname Regan has its origins in Ireland, where it first appeared in the 9th century. It is derived from the Gaelic word "rioghan," meaning "queen" or "royal." The name is closely associated with the ancient Irish kingdom of Leinster and the O'Regan clan, who held territories in County Tipperary.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Annals of Inisfallen, a chronicle of medieval Irish history, where it is mentioned in reference to the death of Riogan, King of Leinster, in 842 AD. The name also appears in the Book of Leinster, a 12th-century manuscript containing various texts related to the province of Leinster.
The O'Regan clan played a significant role in Irish history, with several notable members recorded over the centuries. One of the most prominent figures was Dermot O'Regan, who served as the Bishop of Cork in the 13th century. Another notable individual was Maurice Regan, a 17th-century Irish Catholic priest and historian who wrote extensively about the history of Ireland and the Irish people.
In the 16th century, the Regan name also gained prominence in England, particularly in the county of Gloucestershire. This branch of the family is believed to have descended from Irish migrants or settlers who arrived in England during this period. One notable English bearer of the name was Elizabeth Regan, a 17th-century writer and translator who published several works, including a translation of the Greek philosopher Xenophon's "Oeconomicus."
Beyond Ireland and England, the Regan surname can also be found in other parts of the world, particularly in areas with significant Irish diaspora populations. For example, in the United States, the name is well-represented, with notable figures such as Donald Regan, the former White House Chief of Staff under President Ronald Reagan (no relation), and the actress Kathleen Regan, known for her roles in films like "The Godfather Part II" and "The Deerhunter."
Other historical figures with the surname Regan include John Regan, an Irish politician and member of the Irish Republican Brotherhood in the late 19th century, and Patrick Regan, an Irish-American labor leader and union organizer who played a significant role in the labor movement of the early 20th century.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Regan
Among Census respondents with the surname Regan, the largest self-reported group is White at 92.9%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (2.6%) and Black (1.9%).
The bar chart below shows how Regan bearers described their own race and ethnicity on the 2010 Census form. The Census Bureau groups responses into six broad categories: White, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian and Pacific Islander, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Two or More Races. When a category has too few respondents for a given surname, the Bureau suppresses the figure to protect individual privacy, which is why some names show fewer than six slices.
Keep in mind that these are self-reported numbers. A person's surname does not determine their race or ethnicity, and the distribution you see here reflects the specific population who happened to carry the Regan surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White92.9%
- Hispanic or Latino2.6%
- Black or African American1.9%
- Two or more races1.4%
- Asian and Pacific Islander0.9%
- American Indian and Alaska Native0.3%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Regan surname changed between Census years? The chart shows bearer count side by side, and the table compares rank, count, and frequency.
Census year comparison
| Metric | 2010 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #1,642 | #1,642 | 0.0% |
| Count | 21,951 | 21,951 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 7.44 | 7.44 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Regan bearers went from 21,951 to 21,951 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #1,642 to #1,642.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Regan
FAQ
Regan surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Regan?
The surname Regan holds position #1,642 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 25,501 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 7.44 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Regan surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Regan, the largest self-reported group is White at 92.9%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (2.6%) and Black (1.9%). These figures come from the 2010 Census Bureau surname tables, based on how respondents described their own race and ethnicity.
Where does this surname data come from?
All surname statistics on Name Census are drawn from the US Census Bureau's decennial surname frequency tables. These tables list every surname that appeared 100 or more times in the 2010 Census, along with a frequency rate and self-reported demographic breakdown. You can read the full explanation on our methodology page.