Surname Roan - Meaning and Origin
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Roan: What does the surname Roan mean?
The surname Roan is of Scottish and Irish origin. It is derived from the Gaelic personal name Ruadhán, which is a diminutive form of Ruadh, meaning "red." Thus, the surname Roan generally signifies a person with red hair or a ruddy complexion. The name Ruadhán was popular in honor of an early Irish saint who bore the name. Additionally, in some cases, Roan may also be a locational surname referring to people who originally lived in places named Roan or Roane in Scotland and Ireland. It is also found, especially during the 17th century, among families in counties Londonderry and Antrim of Northern Ireland. The variant spellings for this surname include Rohan, Roohan, and Ruane. Over the centuries, the surname has spread to other parts of the world due to migration.
Order DNA origin analysisRoan: Where does the name Roan come from?
The last name Roan is most common today in the United States and parts of Canada. The earliest known Roans in America were among the early settlers who came from Britain and Ireland in the 1600s to 1700s. As for its origins, some sources suggest that the name is derived from the Irish Gaelic word "ruadh", which means "red" or "ruddy".
The name Roan is found most frequently in the U.S. states with the greatest Irish populations such as New York, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island. The surname is also often found in the Midwestern and Southern areas of the U.S., particularly in states such as Ohio, Michigan, Illinois, and Alabama. In Canada, the name is especially prominent in the Maritimes as well as in Ontario.
This indicates that the name Roan may have later spread to other areas of the United States, perhaps through those original Irish immigrants. Today the name is most commonly found in the U.S., Canada, and Australia, including the United Kingdom.
Roans are found in all walks of life and are well-distributed the world over. Many famous Roans have found success in a variety of fields, including technology, sports, politics, literature, and business.
Variations of the surname Roan
The surname Roan has a variety of variant spellings and surnames of the same origin. The most common spellings include Roane, Rowan, Rhoen, and Roen. Other variants of this name include Roanes, Rouen, Rowens, and Rohane.
The origin of the Roan surname is Irish and dates back to ancient times. It is thought to be derived from an ancient Celtic word meaning “red”, referencing the colour of the hair, which is a physical trait that is often associated with the surname. This name is most commonly found in Ireland and Scotland and individuals of the surname are known to have had close ties with the sea and seafaring.
In Wales, the Roan surname is thought to derive from the Welsh word “rhun”, meaning “spear”, indicating that some individuals of the Roan surname may have been warriors and warriors traditionally had a close relationship to the sea.
In England, the Roan surname could have been derived from the Old English personal name "Hrothw(e)ald" meaning “famous ruler”, suggesting that individuals of the Roan surname were of noble lineage. It is also possible that the Roan surname could be derived from the Old Norse personal name “Rōgnvaldr” meaning “fame ruler”.
The Roan surname is also found in many other countries including France, Germany, Denmark, Norway, Finland, and the Netherlands, indicating that individuals of this surname have had a long history of migration throughout Europe in search of new lands and opportunities.
Famous people with the name Roan
- Chris Roan: Actor and Producer
- Sonya Roan: Primetime Emmy Award-winning Costume Designer
- Brody Roan: Professional Skateboarder
- Megan Roan: Singer-Songwriter
- William Joseph Roan: Major General in the United States Army
- Jonah Roan: Professional Olympic Skier
- Mark Roan: Actor
- Bernice Roan: Former Professional Women's Basketball Player
- Robert Roy Roan: Award-winning Actor
- Ted Roan: Former Professional Soccer Player