Ó Ríoghbhárdáin is an Irish Gaelic surname, the original form of the anglicized Reardon and Riordan. It is derived from the given name Rígbarddán, which means "little poet of the king" — from Old Irish rí "king" (genitive ríg), bard "poet", and a diminutive suffix.
This surname belongs to the widespread Irish patronymic tradition, where Ó denotes "descendant of". Historically, the Ó Ríoghbhárdáin family was centered in the province of Munster, particularly in County Cork. Many bearers anglicized the name to Riordan or Reardon over time, especially after the 17th century when English legal and administrative systems encouraged anglicization of Gaelic names.
Under the anglicized forms, members of this clan have included notable poets, clergy, and athletes. The name maintains a strong presence in Ireland and among the Irish diaspora (especially in North America). The original Gaelic spelling remains uncommon today, but is preserved in historical records and genealogical studies.
- Meaning: "descendant of the little poet of the king"
- Origin: Irish Gaelic
- Type: Patronymic surname
- Usages: Irish (primarily Munster)
- Anglicized forms: Reardon, Riordan
Sources: Forebears — Ó-ríoghbhárdáin