Irish Surname - Brady
The Irish surname Brady is derived from the Gaelic name Mac Brádaigh, meaning "son of Brádach". The name Brádach is derived from the Gaelic word bradach, meaning "thieving". The surname is most commonly found in counties Cavan and Leitrim in Ireland.
Brady is also a surname found in other parts of the world, particularly in the United States, Canada, and Australia, where many Irish immigrants settled.
Variations of the Brady surname include MacBrady, McBrady and O'Brady. MacBrady and McBrady are Irish variants, while O'Brady is an anglicised version of the Gaelic name. Brady-Kelly and Brady-Hanlon are combination surnames that include the name Brady.
The earliest known recording of the Brady surname dates back to the 12th century, and many prominent individuals with the name have emerged throughout Irish history, including bishops, poets, and politicians. Today, the Brady surname remains a common and recognisable name in Ireland and beyond.
Famous People with surname Brady
- Moya Brennan (née Máire Ní Bhraonáin): An Irish singer, songwriter, and harpist, Moya Brennan is best known as the lead vocalist of the Celtic music group Clannad.
- Ailish Brady: An Irish track and field athlete who specialises in the 400-meter hurdles, Ailish Brady has represented Ireland at multiple international competitions, including the European Athletics Championships.
- Tom Brady: One of the most successful quarterbacks in NFL history, Tom Brady has won seven Super Bowl championships and is widely regarded as one of the greatest football players of all time.
- Diamond Jim Brady: A wealthy businessman and philanthropist in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Diamond Jim Brady was known for his extravagant lifestyle and love of diamonds.
- Mathew B. Brady: A renowned photographer in the 19th century, Mathew B. Brady is best known for his portraits of American politicians and Civil War soldiers.
- Wayne Brady: An American actor, comedian, and television personality, Wayne Brady is best known for his work on the improvisational comedy show "Whose Line Is It Anyway?".
- Dan O'Brady: A former Major League Baseball pitcher who played for the Cleveland Indians and the New York Yankees in the 1950s and 1960s.
Variations of the surname Brady
- Brady - The original and most common form of the name.
- O'Brady - A variant that includes the Gaelic prefix "O", meaning "descendant of".
- MacBrady - Another variant that uses the Gaelic prefix "Mac", meaning "son of".
- Braidy - A phonetic spelling of the name that is sometimes used.
- Bradaigh - A more traditional Irish spelling that includes the Gaelic letter "gh".
- Bradi - A shortened version of the name that is occasionally used as a first name.
- Bradie - Another spelling variation of the name that is less common than others.
Brady Coat of Arms
The Brady coat of arms features a shield with three gold lions passant on a blue background. Above the shield is a helmet and a silver torse, or wreath, with the colors of blue and gold. The crest is a silver arm holding a broken sword. Commonly associated with the Brady family of County Cavan and other parts of Ireland.
Brady Motto
>"fortitudine vincit," which means "by fortitude he conquers."
Please Note
There is often limited information available on a specific coat of arms and motto for an Irish surname. Sometimes there are many variations, sometimes none, we have compiled a representative, but by no means exhaustive, selection. Please visit our Coat of Arms and Motto page for more information.
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