The Clan/Sept History

The Ryan name originated as Ó Maoilriaghain, meaning 'descendant of a devotee of St. Riaghan'. The name was originally Anglicised as Mulryan, and has today been shortened to Ryan. The name first appeared in the barony of Owney, on the border of counties Limerick and Tipperary. A further sept of the clan was to be found in the Barony of Idrone in Co. Carlow. Ryan is the eighth most numerous surname in Ireland, and is strongest in counties Tipperary and Limerick, although it is now widely dispersed across the country.