The Irish surname Brislan is an Anglicized form of the Gaelic patronymic name Ó Breisláin, or "descendant of Breisleán."
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Early Origins of the Brislan family
The surname Brislan was first found in Donegal (Irish: Dún na nGall), northwest Ireland in the province of Ulster, sometimes referred to as County Tyrconnel where the O'Breislein Sept, branch of the Cenél Enda held the district of Fanad, located in the Barony of Kilmacrenan. They were one of the principal Brehon families of Ireland, mentioned frequently by the Four Masters. Brehons served as judges, ambassadors and negotiators, brokering deals and treaties, and settling disputes between the feudal lords of medieval Ireland. They were the interpreters of Brehon law.
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Early History of the Brislan family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Brislan research. Another 97 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1260, 1306, 1307 and 1659 are included under the topic Early Brislan History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
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Brislan Spelling Variations
The recording of names in Ireland during the Middle Ages was an inconsistent endeavor at best. Since the general population did not know how to read or write, they could only specify how their names should be recorded orally. Research into the name Brislan revealed spelling variations, including O'Breislein, O'Berislein, O'Breslin, Breslin and others.
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Early Notables of the Brislan family
More information is included under the topic Early Brislan Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
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Migration of the Brislan family
Irish families left their homeland in astonishing numbers during the 19th century in search of a better life. Although individual reasons vary, most of these Irish families suffered from extreme poverty, lack of work opportunities, and exorbitant rents in their homeland. Many decided to travel to Australia or North America in the hopes of finding greater opportunities and land. The Irish immigrants that came to North America initially settled on the East Coast, often in major centers such as Boston or New York. But like the many other cultures to settle in North America, the Irish traveled to almost any region they felt held greater promise; as a result, many Irish with gold fever moved all the way out to the Pacific coast. Others before that time left for land along the St. Lawrence River and the Niagara Peninsula, or the Maritimes as United Empire Loyalists, for many Irish did choose to side with the English during the American War of Independence. The earliest wave of Irish migration, however, occurred during the Great Potato Famine of the 1840s. An examination of early immigration and passenger lists has revealed many people bearing the Brislan name: Patrick Breslin, who arrived in New York in 1824; Mary Breslin, who came to St. John, N.B. in 1834; Condy Breslin and Constantia Breslin who arrived at St. John, N.B. in 1847.
Ireland
