Branagan History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Irish families left their homeland in astonishing numbers during the 19th century in search of a better life. Although individual reasons vary, most of these Irish families suffered from extreme poverty, lack of work opportunities, and exorbitant rents in their homeland. Many decided to travel to Australia or North America in the hopes of finding greater opportunities and land. The Irish immigrants that came to North America initially settled on the East Coast, often in major centers such as Boston or New York. But like the many other cultures to settle in North America, the Irish traveled to almost any region they felt held greater promise; as a result, many Irish with gold fever moved all the way out to the Pacific coast. Others before that time left for land along the St. Lawrence River and the Niagara Peninsula, or the Maritimes as United Empire Loyalists, for many Irish did choose to side with the English during the American War of Independence. The earliest wave of Irish migration, however, occurred during the Great Potato Famine of the 1840s. An examination of early immigration and passenger lists has revealed many people bearing the Branagan name:

Branagan Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

• John Branagan, who settled in Charleston in 1796

Branagan Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

• Patrick Branagan, who landed in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania in 1854 3
• Felix, Francis, James, John, Lawrence, Michael, Patrick, and Thomas Branagan, who, who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania between 1834 and 1870

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Branagan Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

• John Branagan, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1749

Branagan Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

• Mr. Edmund Branagan, aged 3 who was emigrating through Grosse Isle Quarantine Station, Quebec aboard the ship "Saguenay" departing 5th June 1847 from Cork, Ireland; the ship arrived on 22nd August 1847 but he died on board 4
• Mr. Thomas Branagan, aged 3 who was emigrating through Grosse Isle Quarantine Station, Quebec aboard the ship "Saguenay" departing 5th June 1847 from Cork, Ireland; the ship arrived on 22nd August 1847 but he died on board 4

Branagan Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

• Ann Branagan, aged 20, a servant, who arrived in South Australia in 1856 aboard the ship "Violet"
• John Branagan, aged 25, a labourer, who arrived in South Australia in 1858 aboard the ship "Sir Thomas Gresham" 5
• Thomas Branagan, aged 16, a labourer, who arrived in South Australia in 1858 aboard the ship "Sir Thomas Gresham" 5

Branagan Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

• Sarah J. Branagan, who arrived in Lyttelton, New Zealand aboard the ship "Caroline Coventry" in 1869 6
• Patrick Branagan, aged 23, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Earl Granville" in 1880

• Carolyn Whitney Branagan (b. 1954), American Republican politician, Member of the Vermont Senate (2003-2019) 7
• James "Jim" Patrick Stephen Branagan (b. 1955), English former footballer
• Ritchie Peter Branagan (b. 1991), English-Irish footballer
• Ken Branagan (b. 1930), English football fullback
• Keith Graham Branagan (b. 1966), English-born football goalkeeper