Reynolds - Irish Surname Origin & Meaning
Irish form: Mac Raghnaill
Meaning: “son of Raghnall” (Norse)
Traditional stronghold: Leitrim
Pronunciation: REN-uldz; Irish Mac Raghnaill: mock RYE-nil
History of the Reynolds name
In Ireland Reynolds is nearly always an anglicisation of Mac Raghnaill, 'son of Raghnall', a name of Norse origin (Rögnvaldr). The sept ruled Muintir Eolais in south Leitrim, holding castles around Lough Rynn and Mohill, and were a considerable power in the Gaelic order of Connacht. During the seventeenth century the Irish patronymic was systematically replaced by the common English surname Reynolds, chosen for its similar sound, and the older form all but vanished. Leitrim, Longford and Roscommon remain the family's core territory, and the name has given Ireland soldiers, writers and a Taoiseach.
Variants: MacRannall · Grannell · Rannals · Reynold
Famous bearers of the name
- Albert Reynolds - Taoiseach from 1992 to 1994 whose work on the Downing Street Declaration advanced the peace process.
- Emer Reynolds - Emmy-winning Irish director of the space documentary The Farthest.
- Ryan Reynolds - Canadian actor of Irish descent; the family name traces to Mac Raghnaill stock.
Related names from the same part of Ireland: Clancy · O'Rourke · Beirne · Berrigan · Forde · McKeon · Meehan