O'Reardon History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

• Origins Available:
• Ireland

Etymology of O'Reardon

The name O'Reardon has changed considerably in the time that has passed since its genesis. It originally appeared in Gaelic as Ó Riordain. The original form of the surname was Ó Rioghbhardain, which was originally derived from the words "riogh bhard," meaning "royal bard."

Early Origins of the O'Reardon family

Early History of the O'Reardon family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our O'Reardon research. Another 91 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1172 and 1750 are included under the topic Early O'Reardon History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

O'Reardon Spelling Variations

Individual scribes in the Ireland during the Middle Ages would often record a person's name various ways. How the name was recorded depended on what that particular scribe believed the proper spelling for the name pronounced to him was. Spelling variations revealed in the search for the origin of the O'Reardon family name include O'Riordan, Riordan, O'Rearden, Rearden and others.

Early Notables of the O'Reardon family

More information is included under the topic Early O'Reardon Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the O'Reardon family

Many destitute Irish families in the 18th and 19th centuries decided to leave their homeland, which had in many ways been scarred by English colonial rule. One of the most frequent destinations for these families was North America where it was possible for an Irish family to own their own parcel of land. Many of the early settlers did find land awaiting them in British North America, or even later in America, but for the majority of immigrants that arrived as a result of the Great Potato Famine of the late 1840s the ownership of land was often a long way off. These Irish people were initially put to work on such industrial projects as the building of bridges, canals, and railroads, or they worked at manufacturing positions within factories. Whenever they arrived, the Irish made enormous contributions to the infant nations of Canada and the United States. Some of the earliest immigrants to bearer the name of O'Reardon were found through extensive research of immigration and passenger lists: Matthias D. O'Riordon, who was on record in America in 1816; Robt Oriordan, who came to North America in 1847; Denis, Cornelius, Michael and Thomas Rearden, who all settled in Philadelphia in 1857.