Bralahan History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Ireland
Scotland

The ancestors of the Bralahan name date back to the kingdom of Dalriada in ancient Scotland. Bralahan was a name for someone who lived on the island of Iona, in the south Hebrides, but their ancient roots are in Ireland.

Early Origins of the Bralahan family

The surname Bralahan was first found in Iona, an island in the south Hebrides where the family name has been settled since about the year 1000. The family were originally from Derry in Northern Ireland. The first on record was Flaithbheartach O'Brallochain who was offered the Abbacy of Columcille in Iona in 1164, but refused.

Early History of the Bralahan family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bralahan research. Another 158 words (11 lines of text) covering the years 1029, 1160, 1549, 1677 and 1778 are included under the topic Early Bralahan History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Bralahan Spelling Variations

Spelling in the medieval era was a highly imprecise process. Translation, particularly from Gaelic to English, was little better. For these reasons, early Scottish names are rife with spelling variations. In various documents Bralahan has been spelled Brallahan, Brallaghan, Bralahan, Brallachain, Bralachain, McBrolohan, McBrolachan, McBrollahan, Brollahan, Brollachan, Brollaghan, Brollohan, Brolohan, McBrollohan, McBrolachin, McBrollaghan, McBrologhan, McBrolahan, O'Brolchen, O'Brollahchain, O'Brollohan, O'Brollahan, O'Brologhan, O'Brolloghan and many more.

Early Notables of the Bralahan family

More information is included under the topic Early Bralahan Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Bralahan family to Ireland

Some of the Bralahan family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 32 words (2 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Bralahan family

Ancestors of many of the Dalriadan families who crossed the Atlantic still live along the east coast of the United States and Canada. Some Scottish settlers arrived in Canada during the American War of Independence as United Empire Loyalists, while others stayed south to fight for a new nation. The descendants of Scottish settlers in both countries began to rediscover their heritage in the 19th and 20th centuries through Clan societies and highland games. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families has revealed a number of immigrants bearing the name Bralahan or a variant listed above: Patrick O'Brallaghan who settled in New York State in 1785.

The Bralahan Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Vigilance et audax
Motto Translation: Vigilant and bold.