Show ContentsBrassil History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Many variations of the name Brassil have evolved since the time of its initial creation. In Gaelic it appeared as O Breasail, possibly from the word bres, which means strife.

Early Origins of the Brassil family

The surname Brassil was first found in County Armagh (Irish: Ard Mhacha) located in the province of Ulster in present day Northern Ireland, where they held a family seat from ancient times. They were descended from Fiachrach Casan, the progenitor of the Clann Brassil, he was the son of King Colla da Crioch, one of Ireland's greatest kings, who was banished to the Hebrides in 327 A.D. after losing his fight for the High Kingship for all Ireland. Colla da Crioch returned to Ireland in 357.

Early History of the Brassil family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Brassil research. Another 176 words (13 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Brassil History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Brassil Spelling Variations

Before widespread literacy came to Ireland, a name was often recorded under several different variations during the life of its bearer. Accordingly, numerous spelling variations were revealed in the search for the origin of the name Brassil family name. Variations found include Brassil, Brassell, Brassilagh, Breasal, Brazil, Brazell, Braslan and many more.

Early Notables of the Brassil family

Notable among the family name at this time was

  • Breasal, Chieftain of the Clann Brassil in the 12th century


United States Brassil migration to the United States +

Thousands of Irish families left for North American shores in the 19th century. These people were searching for a life unencumbered with poverty, hunger, and racial discrimination. Many arrived to eventually find such conditions, but many others simply did not arrive: victims of the diseased, overcrowded ships in which they traveled to the New World. Those who lived to see North American shores were instrumental in the development of the growing nations of Canada and the United States. A thorough examination of passenger and immigration lists has disclosed evidence of many early immigrants of the name Brassil:

Brassil Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Mariah Brassil, aged 24, who immigrated to the United States, in 1894
  • John Brassil, aged 21, who immigrated to the United States from BallyLongford, in 1897
Brassil Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Bridget Brassil, aged 36, who immigrated to the United States from Corofin, in 1901
  • Maggie Brassil, aged 20, who settled in America from Listowel, Ireland, in 1906
  • John Brassil, aged 49, who landed in America, in 1906
  • Daniel S. Brassil, who immigrated to the United States, in 1909
  • Malacky Brassil, aged 21, who landed in America from Ballylongford, Ireland, in 1910
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Australia Brassil migration to Australia +

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

Brassil Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Mr. Thomas Brassil, (b. 1790), aged 45, Irish farm servant who was convicted in County Clare, Ireland for life for being an Irish rebel, transported aboard the "Blackwell" on 29th September 1835, arriving in New South Wales, Australia [1]
  • Michael Brassil, aged 25, a labourer, who arrived in South Australia in 1858 aboard the ship "Sir Thomas Gresham" [2]

Contemporary Notables of the name Brassil (post 1700) +

  • Chad E. Brassil, American professor at the School of Biological Sciences, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
  • John Brassil, Irish politician, Member of the Fianna Fail Republican Party, Member of Kerry County Council (1999-)
  • Tara Brassil, British Senior Lecturer at Nottingham Trent University


  1. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 14th October 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/blackwell
  2. South Australian Register Monday 20th March 1854. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) Sir Thomas Gresham 1858. Retrieved http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/australia/sirthomasgresham1858.shtml


Houseofnames.com on Facebook