Ryan (surname)

There are several different origins for the surname. In some cases it may be a shortened form of O'Ryan, which is an Anglicized adaptation of the Gaelic surname Ó Riain, meaning "descendant of Rian".^[1] It can also be a shortened form of Mulryan or O'Mulryan, which are derived from the Gaelic Ó Maoilriain, meaning "descendant of the follower of Rian".^[1][2]

The meaning of the Old Irish name Rian is unknown.^[3] Some sources have suggested that it is related to the Old Irish word rían, meaning "water" or "ocean".^[4][5] Others have suggested that it is related to the Old Irish word rí, meaning "king".^[6][7] Both of these etymologies have been discounted by scholars, however.^[3] According to John Ryan, Professor of Early and Medieval History at University College Dublin, "What the Rian in the surnames Ó Riain and Ó Maolriain is has never been satisfactorily explained. Rian, like Niall, seems to be so ancient that its meaning was lost before records began."^[3]

Popular modern sources typically suggest that Ryan means "little king" or "illustrious".^{[2][8][9][10]}

There are also cases in which Ryan is an Americanized form of the German surname Rein.^[1]

• Allison Ryan, a character played by Nicole Eggert in the 2008 movie Loaded
• Andrew Ryan, the founder of Rapture and a major character in the 2007 video game BioShock
• April Ryan, appearing in the computer adventure games The Longest Journey and Dreamfall
• Aran Ryan, an opponent in Super NES video game Super Punch-Out!!
• Archie Ryan, the pseudonym of Lincoln Burrows, a fictional character from the television show Prison Break
• Barbara Ryan, character in the soap opera As the World Turns
• Beth Ryan, a character in the 1987 movie Throw Momma from the Train
• Bill, Emily, Lulu, and Sandy Ryan, characters from American television sitcom United We Fall
• Burke Ryan, a character in the 2009 American romantic drama movie Love Happens
• Caitlin Ryan, a character in the Degrassi franchise
• Frank Ryan, a character in the 1934 film The Man Who Changed His Name
• Jack Ryan, a separate character and the primary protagonist of the 2007 video game BioShock
• Jack Ryan, in Tom Clancy books and film adaptations
• Jake Ryan, character in Sixteen Candles/Hannah Montana, TV character portrayed by Cody Linley
• James Francis Ryan, character in the 1998 American war film Saving Private Ryan
• John Ryan, a character in the 1995 Canadian-American martial arts movie Law of the Jungle
• Kevin Ryan, secondary character of the TV thriller show Castle
• Mary Ryan, also known aka Blue Mary, a character in the Fatal Fury series and The King of Fighters
• Mr. Ryan, a character in the 1989 American science fiction comedy movie Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure
• Nory Ryan, main character in book Nory Ryan's Song by Patricia Reilly Giff
• Paul Ryan, a character on American daytime serial As the World Turns
• Professor Sam Ryan, character in the television series Silent Witness
• Rachel, Robbie, and Tom Ryan, characters in the 2006 American parody Scary Movie 4
• Richie Ryan, fictional character in Highlander: The Series
• Robert Charles "Rusty" Ryan in Ocean's 11, 12, and 13
• Tommy Ryan, a character in the 1997 film Titanic

• Rayan (Persian given name)
• Rhyan, given name and surname