The name O'Riordan, and several variations; Riordan, Ó Ríada, Reedy, Reardon, and Rearden have their origin the name of "Ríoghbhardán," meaning "Bards to the Kings," or "The King's Bard." The "Ríogh" part is Gaelic for "king", and "bhardán" means "bard". The role of bard appears to have been originally inferior to that of "poet", but later came to include that of poet to the king. The role of the Royal Bard or Poet was much greater than the writing or recital of verses. It included being a scholar, historian and advisor to the king, according to an essay, "Kings and Poets," by Brian O'Higgins. See also a related article, "The Bards of Ireland, In Distant Homage."

The earliest groups of Ríoghbhardáns originated in Co. Tipperary, but they migrated to County Cork at such an early date they are regarded as belonging to that county, where they are now far more numerous than anywhere else. The vital statistics are indeed quite remarkable in this respect: of 159 "Riordan" births recorded for in the year 1890, 89, or 56%, were in Co. Cork and 30 in County Kerry and and 24 in County Limerick. These three counties accounted for 89% of the Riordan births, while all the remaining 29 counties accounted for only 11%.

 

Both Kerry and Limerick are adjoining the Ríoghbhardán territory in north-west Cork, where they were "followers of the Lords of Muskerry". The place name "BALLYREARDON" in East Cork indicates that they were also influential in that part of the county. Ballyreardon is in Templenacarriga Parish of County Cork. Templenacarriga parish is in the Barony of Barrymore, E. of Cork 6 1/2 miles (S.E.) from Rathcormac, on the road to Midleton. See route R626 0n the Michelin map #405. It is a very small area, only about 57 Irish (statute) Acres.

Reardon is an alternative form of Riordan, which in Irish is Ó Ríordáin. The O' Prefix is frequently used in English, having been very widely resumed in the twentieth century. Sixty-five years ago there were sixteen Riordans for every one O'Riordan, now the numbers are approximately equal.

 

 

O’Riordan History

Adapted from an article in The Irish Times by Flann O Riain

Sent to me by Con Cashman – Des O’Riordan

Between 1722 and 1789, there were 8 Riordan tenants on Lord Kenmare’s estate. Their farms were listed at Lissiviggem, Ballydribeenbeg, Clashnegurrane, Allaness, Crockacully, Knocks, New Fairs of Mullahiff, Oldtown, Gortleibeen, Lisseen, Glinns, Gortroe and Lackabane. (Kenmare Manuscripts).
Of the various spellings of the anglicised form of this Irish surname, Riordan was most common. Apart from farming their acres of poor land, many of the eight were engaged as employees of his lordship. In 1726, Derby Rrierdane, worked in the woods of Cosmainge and Gortfadda or Longfield as did Daniel Riordan.
An expense listed to James Riordan was “….principally of meal at 1/1 per peck supplied mostly for the hounds, but also for spaniels, the henwoman and the poor”.
The Irish for this name is O’Riordain, this being a simplified form of the original spelling O’Rioghbardan , compsed of ri(ogh) and bard, indicating a “royal poet”.
One who bore this name was Rioghardan, son of Ddubhcron, noted in the year 1000 in the Annals of the Four Masters.
Now most numerous in Cork, Limerick and South Kerry, this surname originally belonged to Eile Ui Cearuill (roughly Co Offaly), but moved to Cork in the Middle Ages.
Raghnall O’Rioghbhardain was amongst the Munstermen who were slain in a challenge to Richard, Earl of Stiguil, who with Diarmaid Mac Murchadha was advancing on Waterford subsequent to his arrival in Ireland in 1169.
It is largely in Co Cork that this surname is found in 38 fiants in “The Irish Fiants of the Tudor Sovereigns” – 1521 to 1603. they were from Cultymuragh, Kylsynsiam, Carrignamuck, Kilcrea, Gortroleyre, Culsalaghe, Kilgoboniteie, Kilbarry, Macroom, Ballishea, Cnockvockig, Listarnlie, Cromowe, Leadiffe, Dromderrick, and Drishane.
There was a yeoman, a gentleman, a kern, a tailor, a husbandman etc – variously named Thady, Teig, Donogh, Donnell, Conogher, and Dermod. Indeed one bore the now rare first-name Riordan. Riurdane was among the pardoned of Cork/Limerick in 1597.
A census of Ireland circa 1659 has O’Riordane among the principal Irish names in in the Co Cork baronies of Barrymore and Barrets and in the South Liberties of Cork City, as well as in the Co Limerick baronies of Coshma, Connollo and Small County.
Daniel Riordan was among the witnessesto a 1735 will of Ballyellis, Co Cork as was Patrick Riordan to one of Lissodeige, co Kerry in 1759.

Of the 26 Riordan modest holdings listed in 1876 15 were in Co Cork. Only two had retained the "O". Three of the more famous bearers of this surname were Tralee man Dominic O'Riordan (1923-67) writer, critic and poet; Domhnall O'Riordan (1888-1935) teacher, language enthusiast and editor who was born in Ballaghbehy, Co Limerick and Sean O'Riordan (1916-1977), columnist and author of many collections of poetry. He is one of two of Ireland's best poets since the 17th century according to Sean O'Tuama, poet, playwright and professor of University College, Cork.