First found in Leinster, where they were descended from Bran, the King of Leinster who died in 1052. He was descended from Cathair Mor King of Leinster, who was also Monarch of all Ireland about 200 A.D.

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 Byrne: Dinnis Byrne, who settled in the Barbados in 1679; Adam O'Byrne, who settled in Jamaica in 1734; James and Patrick O'Byrne, who arrived in Philadelphia in 1806.

Motto Translated: I have fought and conquered.

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