Obrien History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Under the rule of England, land ownership in Ireland changed dramatically, and many native Irish families found themselves renting out land to farm from absentee owners. This was one of the prime reasons that immigration to North America began in the late 18th century: Irish farmers dreamed of owning their own parcel of land to work for themselves. At this point, the immigrants were at least of modest means for the passage across the Atlantic was often quite dear. In the 1840s the Great Potato Famine created an exodus of people of quite different means. These people were most often destitute: they either sold anything they had to gain a passage or they were sponsored by philanthropic societies. Many of these immigrants were sick from disease and starvation: as a result many did not survive the long transatlantic journey. Although those settlers that did survive were often despised and discriminated against by people already established in these nations, they were critical to rapid development of the powerful industrial nations of the United States and the country that would later become known as Canada. An examination of immigration and passenger lists shows many persons bearing the name of Obrien or one of its variants:

Obrien Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

• Andrew, Anne, Bridge, Catherine, Charles, Cornelius, David, Daniel, Denis, Edward, Frank, George, Henry, Hugh, James, John, Martin, Mary, Michael, Patrick, Peter, Thomas, and William O'Brien all, who arrived in Philadelphia between 1840 and 1870

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Obrien Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

• Henry O'Brien, aged 7, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the brig "Dorcas Savage" from Belfast, Ireland
• Peter O'Brien, aged 25, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the brig "Dorcas Savage" from Belfast, Ireland
• Ann O'Brien, aged 20, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the brig "Dorcas Savage" from Belfast, Ireland
• Daniel O'Brien, aged 50, a tailor, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the brig "Dorcas Savage" from Belfast, Ireland
• Mary O'Brien, aged 5, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the brig "Dorcas Savage" from Belfast, Ireland
• ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Obrien Settlers in Australia in the 18th Century

• Miss Mary O'Brien, (Brien), (b. 1768), aged 24, English convict who was convicted in Devon, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Bellona" in July 1792, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, she died in 1853 6

Obrien Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

• Mr. Cornelius O'Brien, Irish convict who was convicted in Tipperary, Ireland for life, transported aboard the "Atlas" on 29th November 1801, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 7
• Mr. Denis O'Brien, Irish convict who was convicted in Wexford, Ireland for life, transported aboard the "Atlas" on 29th November 1801, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 7
• Mr. James O'Brien, Irish convict who was convicted in Dundalk, Ireland for life, transported aboard the "Atlas" on 29th November 1801, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 7
• Mr. John O'Brien, Irish convict who was convicted in Wexford, Ireland for life, transported aboard the "Atlas" on 29th November 1801, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 7
• Mr. Maurice O'Brien, Irish convict who was convicted in Wexford, Ireland for life, transported aboard the "Atlas" on 29th November 1801, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 7
• ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Obrien Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

• John O'Brien, aged 22, who arrived in Port Nicholson aboard the ship "Oriental" in 1840
• Ellen O'Brien, aged 25, who arrived in Port Nicholson aboard the ship "Oriental" in 1840
• Mr. John O'Brien, (b. 1817), aged 22, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Oriental" arriving in Port Nicholson, Wellington, New Zealand on 31st January 1840 8
• Mrs. O'Brien, (b. 1814), aged 25, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Oriental" arriving in Port Nicholson, Wellington, New Zealand on 31st January 1840 8
• Mr. O'Brien, Australian settler travelling from Sydney aboard the ship "Earl of Lonsdale" arriving in Bay of Islands, North Island, New Zealand on 11th April 1841 9
• ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

• Denis O'Brien (1941-2021), American attorney, and former business manager of George Harrison of the Beatles
• Richard "Rich" O'Brien (1956-2017), American television director known for his work at Fox News
• Glenn O'Brien (1947-2017), American writer, journalist and editor, known for his work with Rolling Stone and Interview
• Walter Howard "Hod" O'Brien (1936-2016), American jazz pianist
• Dan O'Brien Jr., American former general manager of Major League Baseball's Cincinnati Reds (2003-2006)
• Dan O'Brien Sr. (1930-2017), American front office executive in Major League and minor league baseball, father of Dan O'Brien Jr
• Donald Eugene O'Brien (1923-2015), United States district judge
• Edward Joseph O'Brien (1930-2014), American Major League Baseball shortstop, outfielder and pitcher
• Conan Christopher O'Brien (b. 1963), American television host, comedian, writer, producer and performer
• Pat O'Brien (1899-1983), American film actor
• ... (Another 33 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)