O Bryan History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Ireland-Alt
Ireland
England

The name O Bryan is of Norman origin, derived from the personal name Brian which was popular in France and Norman England before it came to Ireland. It has sometimes been used as a synonym for O'Brien, though it is of different origin.

Brian (926-1014), was King of Ireland, known in Irish writings as Brian Boroimhe, Boroma most commonly in earlier books as Brian Mac Cennedigh (Book of Leinster), and in English writings as Bryan Mac Kennedy and Brian Boru, He was a native of the northern part of Munster, and was of the royal descent of Thomond, of the family known as Dal Cais. Brian, who was born in 926, was the youngest of three sons. 1

Early Origins of the O Bryan family

The surname O Bryan was first found in County Kilkenny (Irish: Cill Chainnigh), the former Kingdom of Osraige (Ossory), located in Southeastern Ireland in the province of Leinster, where bearers of the surname settled in the 13th century.

Early History of the O Bryan family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our O Bryan research. More information is included under the topic Early O Bryan History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

O Bryan Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Bryan, Brian, OBryan, McBryan, O'Bryant and others.

Early Notables of the O Bryan family

Another 29 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early O Bryan Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

O Bryan Ranking

In the United States, the name O Bryan is the 4,283^rd most popular surname with an estimated 7,461 people with that name. 2

O Bryan migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

O Bryan Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. Daniel O'Bryan, Scottish convict who was convicted in Aberdeen, Scotland for 7 years, transported aboard the "Eliza" on 22nd September 1819, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 3
Miss Jane O'Bryan, English convict who was convicted in Liverpool, Merseyside, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Elizabeth and Henry" on 14th September 1846, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 4
Patrick O'Bryan, aged 17, who arrived in South Australia in 1854 aboard the ship "Nugget" 5
Terence O'Bryan, aged 36, who arrived in South Australia in 1854 aboard the ship "Confiance" 6
Terence O'Bryan, aged 19, who arrived in South Australia in 1854 aboard the ship "Confiance" 6

O Bryan migration to West Indies +

The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960's many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. 7

O Bryan Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century

Mr. Dermond O'Bryan, (b. 1615), aged 20, British settler travelling from London, England aboard the ship "Alexander" arriving in Barbados in 1635 8

Contemporary Notables of the name O Bryan (post 1700) +

James "Jimmy" O'Bryan (b. 1956), United States Virgin Islands politician
Sean O'Bryan (b. 1963), American film and television actor
Jason O'Bryan, English record producer and bassist from London, England
Norman O'Bryan (1930-2013), Australian barrister and judge who sat on the Supreme Court of Victoria, son of Sir Norman O'Bryan
Sir Norman John O'Bryan KC (1894-1968), Australian barrister and judge who sat on the Supreme Court of Victoria from 1939 to 1966
William O'Bryan (1778-1868), also known as William Bryant, Cornish Methodist preacher, founder of the Bible Christian movement
Arthur O'Bryan (b. 1923), Australian rules footballer

Historic Events for the O Bryan family +

USS Arizona

Mr. George David O'Bryan, American Fire Controlman Third Class from Massachusetts, USA working aboard the ship "USS Arizona" when she sunk during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7th December 1941, he died in the sinking 9
Mr. Joseph Benjamin O'Bryan, American Fire Controlman Third Class from Massachusetts, USA working aboard the ship "USS Arizona" when she sunk during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7th December 1941, he died in the sinking 9

Citations +

Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 10th February 2022). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/eliza
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 13th March 2022). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/elizabeth-and-henry
South Australian Register Tuesday 4th July 1854. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) Nugget 1854. Retrieved http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/australia/nugget1854.shtml
South Australian Register Wednesday 13th September 1854. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) Confiance 1854. Retrieved http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/australia/confiance1854.shtml
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
Pilgrim Ship Lists Early 1600's retrieved 28th September 2021 from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
Pearl Harbour: USS Arizona Casualties List Pearl Harbour December 7, 1941. (Retrieved 2018, July 31st). Retrieved from http://pearl-harbor.com/arizona/casualtylist.html