Riordan is a surname of Irish origin; Rearden is a variant of it. From ri “king” and bardan “poet”, it means “royal poet.” In Irish tradition, the poet was very highly regarded in any royal household, as he acted as scholar, historian and advisor to the king.
It may refer to:
PersonsAnn Fienup-Riordan (born 1948), American cultural anthropologistBill Riordan (1908–1973), Australian politician from Queensland; minister for the navy 1946–1949Daniel J. Riordan (1870–1923), American politician from New York; U.S. representative 1899–1923Daniel Riordan (born 1984), Irish professional rugby union playerDaniel Riordan (contemporary), American voice actorDarby Riordan (1888–1936), Australian politician from Queensland; member of the House of Representatives 1929–36Derek Riordan (born 1983), Scottish professional football playerJames Fergus Riordan (born 1997), Spanish actorJames Riordan (1936–2012), English novelist, broadcaster, sports historian, association football player and Russian scholarJoe Riordan (born 1930), Australian politician and government ministerJohn Riordan (banker), American banker who rescued 105 South VietnameseJohn Riordan (mathematician) (1903–1988), American mathematician and authorLinda Riordan (born 1953), British politician; MP from Halifax since 2005Maurice Riordan (born 1953), Irish poet, translator, and editorMichael Riordan (1889–1967), Irish-American police officer; chief of police of San Francisco, CaliforniaMichael H. Riordan (born 1951), American economics professorMichael L. Riordan (born 1957), the founder and CEO/Chairman (1987-1997) of biotechnology company Gilead SciencesMike Riordan (born 1945), American professional basketball playerPat Riordan (born 1979), Canadian rugby union playerPatrick William Riordan (1841–1914), American Roman Catholic archbishopPaul F. Riordan (1920–1944), American army officer; recipient of the Medal of HonorRichard Riordan (born 1930), American politician from California; mayor of Los Angeles 1993–2001Richard Riordan (Australian politician), Australian politicianRick Riordan (born 1964), American authorSteva Riordan (1876-after 1908), Irish hurlerTerry Riordan (born 1973), American professional lacrosse playerTim Riordan (born 1960), American football playerFictional charactersDallas Riordan, character in the Marvel Comics universe.Nita Riordan, character in Louis L'Amour's Kilkenny books.TelevisionThe Riordans was a soap opera that ran on Radio Telefís Éireann (Irish television) during the 1960s and 1970s.
