Irish Surname - Brennan
MacBranain and O'Braonain
One of Ireland's most frequent surnames BRENNAN is an Anglicised form of 3 different Irish language surnames - Ó Braonáin, from braon, probably meaning "sorrow," and Mac Branáin and Ó Branáin, both from bran, referring to "raven" - possibly someone with coal black hair.
Today the surname Brennann is generally interpreted as meaning 'sorrow', although other suggestions include 'little drop', 'the sons of the little raven' or 'one who delights in battle'.
The ancestors of the Brennan family are said to have arrived in Ireland in the 5th century BC and settled in northern Kilkenny shortly after the time of Christ.
The O' Braonain (Brennan) clan belonged to Leinster while the MacBrennans belonged to County Roscommon. The first recorded spelling of the family name dated 1159 was that of MacBranain, chiefs of County Roscommon and a majority of the Brennans of north Connacht descend from them.
This Irish family was very widespread, settling in Fermanagh, Galway, Kerry, Kilkenny, and Westmeath. They are now mostly found in County Sligo and the province of Leinster.
Alternate Surname Spellings for Brennen
Brennen, McBrennan, MacBrennan, Brannon, Brannan, Brannen, Brannin, O'Braonain
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.
DNA And Your Irish Roots
- DNA and your Irish Heritage
- DNA, Discovery and Functions
- Types of DNA tests
- DNA testing companies
- Y-chromosome and Father's Ancestral Line
- Mitochondrial DNA and Mother's Ancestral Line
- DNA and Ethnicity