Show ContentsRuane History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Ruane family

The surname Ruane was first found in East Galway (Irish: Gaillimh) part of the province of Connacht, located on the west coast of the Island, where they were a sept of the Ui Maine. The name is derived from the Irish and Gaelic Ruadhan (dh mute)-ruadh, which means red or red-haired. 1

The progenitor of the Ruane family is Felix O'Ruadháin, Archbishop of Tuam, an Irish prelate at the Lateran Council in Rome in 1215. 2

Early History of the Ruane family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Ruane research. Another 82 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1564, 1751 and 1834 are included under the topic Early Ruane History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ruane Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Roan, Rohan, Roohan, Ruane, Ruane, O Rouine, Rogan, O Rogan, Rowan and many more.

Early Notables of the Ruane family

Another 29 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Ruane Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Ruane family to Ireland

Some of the Ruane family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 34 words (2 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Ruane migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Ruane Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Auston Ruane, aged 30, who arrived in America, in 1893
  • James Ruane, aged 11, who arrived in America, in 1894
  • Helen Ruane, aged 16, who arrived in America, in 1896
Ruane Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Kate Ruane, aged 22, who arrived in America from Boglegram, Ireland, in 1906
  • John Ruane, aged 22, who arrived in America from Balla, Ireland, in 1907
  • Anne Ruane, aged 27, who arrived in America from Kiltemajh, Ireland, in 1907
  • Catherine Ruane, aged 27, who arrived in America from Swinford, Ireland, in 1908
  • Hary Ruane, aged 19, who arrived in America from Kelkelly, Ireland, in 1909
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Canada Ruane migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Ruane Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • Thomas Ruane, aged 34, a yeoman, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the ship "Elizabeth" from Galway, Ireland
  • Mr. John Ruane, aged 32 who immigrated to Canada, arriving at the Grosse Isle Quarantine Station in Quebec aboard the ship "John Munn" departing from the port of Liverpool, England but died on Grosse Isle in September 1847 3
  • Mr. Luke Ruane, aged 3 who immigrated to Canada, arriving at the Grosse Isle Quarantine Station in Quebec aboard the ship "John Munn" departing from the port of Liverpool, England but died on Grosse Isle in August 1847 3
  • Mr. Patrick Ruane, aged 21 who immigrated to Canada, arriving at the Grosse Isle Quarantine Station in Quebec aboard the ship "Washington" departing from the port of Liverpool, England but died on Grosse Isle in September 1847 3

Australia Ruane migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Ruane Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Mr. Anthony Ruane, (b. 1784), aged 50, Irish farm labourer who was convicted in Sligo, Ireland for life for malicious wounding, transported aboard the "Blenheim" on 27th July 1834, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 4

Contemporary Notables of the name Ruane (post 1700) +

  • Paul G. Ruane (1933-2000), American politician, Republican member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives (1969-1974)
  • J. Michael Ruane (1927-2006), American politician, Member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives from the 7th Essex District (1975-2005)
  • William J. Ruane (1925-2005), American Wall Street investment manager
  • John V. Ruane (1936-2006), American Thoroughbred horse racing jockey
  • Tom Ruane, Captain of the Second Western Division of the Irish Republican Army, from 1916-1920
  • Caitríona Ruane (b. 1962), Sinn Féin politician and a member of the Northern Ireland Assembly
  • Christopher Shaun "Chris" Ruane (b. 1958), Welsh Labour Party politician, Member of Parliament for Vale of Clwyd (2017-)
  • Terry Ruane (b. 1946), English actor and director
  • Martin Austin Ruane (1946-1998), English professional wrestler of Irish descent


The Ruane Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Cresco per crucem
Motto Translation: I increase by the cross


  1. Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
  2. O'Hart, John, Irish Pedigrees 5th Edition in 2 Volumes. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Company, 1976. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0737-4)
  3. Charbonneau, André, and Doris Drolet-Dubé. A Register of Deceased Persons at Sea and on Grosse Île in 1847. The Minister of Canadian Heritage, 1997. ISBN: 0-660-198/1-1997E (p. 54)
  4. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 14th October 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/blenheim


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