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From www.HouseOfNames.com Archives copyright © 2000 - 2009

Origin Displayed: Irish

Where did the Irish Obrien family come from? What is the Irish coat of arms/family crest? When did the Obrien family first arrive in the United States? Where did the various branches of the family go? What is the history of the family name?

The old Gaelic name used by the Obrien family in Ireland was O Briain, which means descendant of Brian.

Many variations of the name Obrien were found in archives from the Middle Ages. These variations can be somewhat explained by the facts that the general population was illiterate and therefore had little control over how their names were documented. The spelling and language in which the people's names were recorded was often up to the individual scribe. Variations of the name Obrien found include O'Brien, OBrine, O'Brion, O'Bryan, O'Bryen, McBrien, McBrine, Brian, Briand, Briant, Brine, Brines, Briens and many more.

First found in county Clare.

The 18th and 19th centuries saw many Irish Families immigrate to North America in search of land and opportunities. The largest influx of Irish immigrants to the United States and British North America came during the 1840s when the Great Potato Famine laid waste to their homeland. Hundreds of thousands left the island in an attempt to escape the starvation and disease it brought. Although the arrival of such a large number of destitute Irish was not welcomed by the established population in the United States and what would become known as Canada at the time, these Irish were an essential element to the rapid development of these growing industrial nations. They filled the demand for the cheap labor needed for the work in factories and in the construction of bridges, roads, canals, and railways. An examination of passenger and immigration lists has revealed many immigrants bearing the name of Obrien or one of its variants: Archibald O'Brian settled in Virginia in 1773.

Motto Translated: The strong hand from above.

For more information on the last name Obrien, the PDF Surname History is available for purchase as well as other products.

Some noteworthy people of the name Obrien
  • Albert O'Brien, American Executive
  • Laurence Francis "Larry" O'Brien (1917-1990), one of the United States Democratic Party's leading electoral strategists for more than two decades
  • Richard O'Brien, MD, FACP, Molecular Biologist and Professor at the Center for Health Policy & Ethics of Creighton University Medical Center
  • Daniel Dion "Dan" O'Brien (b. 1966), American Decathlete who won the gold medal in the 1996 Olympics after winning three consecutive world titles
  • Leah O'Brien, American softball player
  • Angela Maxine O'Brien (b. 1937), original name of Margaret O'Brien
  • Lieutenant Colonel William J O'Brien, who was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor in 1944
  • Conor O'Brien, Chief of the O'Brien Clan, direct descendant of Brian Boru and the latest in an unbroken male line that stretches back 1,000 years
  • Edna O'Brien (b. 1930), Irish Novelist and short story writer appointed adjunct professor of English Literature in University College Dublin
  • Sir Timothy O'Brien (1860-1928), Irish Politician
  • Terrence O'Brien, British Diplomat


Tell Me More About Family Crests


Family Crests: the Heraldic Artist


We have researched the Obrien family crest in the most recognized sources. Before an artist or craftsman can render a family crest, it must exist. In other words the crest must have been designed and recorded by the heralds from time immemorial.

Heraldic designs matriculated by the lay-artist in many cases becomes uninspired, meretricious and even ugly...

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Family Crests: Timeline


Many of the symbols adopted into armory have been used since the time of the ancient Egyptians, but heraldry itself did not begin until the 11th century. In continental Europe, the most ancient recorded family crest was discovered upon the monumental effigy of a Count of Wasserburg in the church of St. Emeran, at Ratisobon, Germany...

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Family Crests: Elements


In the Obrien coat of arms as in all coat of arms the crest is only one element of the full armorial achievement. Again the Family Crest is just part of the story of Coats of Arms or Heraldry. Heraldry is defined as the hereditary art or science of blazoning, the description is appropriate technical terms of Coats-of-Arms and other heraldic and armorial insignia, and is of very ancient origin...

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Family Crests and Genealogy: how they relate


We encourage you to study the Obrien genealogy to find out if you descend from someone who bore a particular family crest. Anyone making a study of heraldry usually becomes interested in Genealogy or seeking legal claim to a particular family crest. No families, not even the royal houses, can make sound claim to the right to bear arms unless a proven connection is established through attested Genealogical records...

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Obrien Family Crest Products


Anniversary products for the name Obrien.
Apparel with the coat of arms for the name Obrien.
Armorial histories for the name Obrien.
Ceramics proudly displaying the Obrien family crest.
Clip art of all the most used heraldic pieces.
Coat of Arms for the name Obrien.
Downloads with the coat of arms for the name Obrien.
Family Crest for the name Obrien.
Family Tree featuring the Obrien family crest.
Hand Painted Plaques emphasing the Obrien family crest.
Keychains featuring the Obrien family crest.
Mouse pads displaying the family crest for the name Obrien.
New Products proudly displaying the Obrien coat of arms.
Packages revealing the Obrien family crest.
Plaques and Frames displaying the Obrien family crest.
Surname Histories for the name Obrien.
Symbolism with the family crest for the name Obrien.
Travel Mugs with the family crest for the name Obrien.
Popular Products
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Coat of Arms & Surname History Package
Family Crest Image (jpg) Heritage Series - 300 DPI
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Armorial History with Frame
Framed Surname History and Coat of Arms
 

The Obrien Family Crest was acquired from the Houseofnames.com archives. The Obrien Family Crest was drawn according to heraldic standards based on published blazons. We generally include the oldest published family crest once associated with each surname.

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