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ETYMOLOGY

"King," "little king," "waters," "famous bearer"

ORIGIN AND HISTORY

Gender is male in origin.

Surname:
from Irish word, "ri" is "king" combined with the diminutive suffix of "an," appeared as big impetus toward hereditary family names came about. Council of Trent (1563) decreed that every Catholic parish keep complete registers of baptism.

Clans with heredity surname of Ryan grew to the point that different divisions were used.

Given(Christian) name:
has become very popular during past two decades, as first names have become frequently colored by human passions such as fear, pride, hope and lust.

POPULARITY

Masculine forms of the given name of Ryan remain popular in the United States, Switzerland, Ireland, Canada and Australia. Female forms have not been as popular.

Surges in popularity:
masculine form-
U.S., 1970's , possibly due to the notable fame of American actor, Ryan O'Neal .The personality traits of the given name of Ryan being linked to that of leadership, did perhaps also contribute in this time frame.
Scotland, 1998 and 1999, top ranked given name
U.S., 2002, possibly due to the fame of Ryan Seacrest, American Idol, TV and talent show host

female form-
U.S., 1980's, most popularity for this given name.

FASCINATING FACTS

Once vast landowners, the Ryan family clan, who had been unseated from their roots of ownership, were made to live meager, often homeless, lives. Those who did have dwellings, were given promises of land and money by landlords , during the "Ireland potato famine" (1840's). These landlords wishing to rid the country of the typhus infected Irish, put them on "coffin ships," filled with subhuman treatment, to Canada and the U.S.. Those who made it alive and were medically treated , were coming to a land of more freedom, yet one filled with opportunists that would prey upon these physically and mentally deprived Irish.

Though disadvantaged at their coming to these new lands, the Irish with their determined spirit and the Ryan family with their motto, "I would rather die than be disgraced," moved on to the help the U.S. railroad system, as well as other areas of growth in the new lands. They made new strong beginnings for their Irish families.

NAMESAKES

Ryan's Grill, Buffet or Bakery
Ryan International Airlines (Ireland)
Ryan Township, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania
Ryan Field(stadium)
Division of Ryan ( and electoral District in Australia, House of Representatives, Queensland
Ryan International School
Ryan Homes
Ryan White Care Act
Ryan, Iowa
Ryan, Oklahoma
Ryan,

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