The Irish surname Brislane is an Anglicized form of the Gaelic patronymic name Ó Breisláin, or "descendant of Breisleán."
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Early Origins of the Brislane family
The surname Brislane 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 Brislane family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Brislane research. Another 97 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1260, 1306, 1307 and 1659 are included under the topic Early Brislane History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
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Brislane Spelling Variations
Within the archives researched, many different spelling variations of the surname Brislane were found. These included One reason for the many variations is that scribes and church officials often spelled an individual's name as it sounded. This imprecise method often led to many versions. O'Breislein, O'Berislein, O'Breslin, Breslin and others.
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Early Notables of the Brislane family
More information is included under the topic Early Brislane Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
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Migration of the Brislane family
The 19th century saw a great wave of Irish families leaving Ireland for the distant shores of North America and Australia. These families often left their homeland hungry, penniless, and destitute due to the policies of England. Those Irish immigrants that survived the long sea passage initially settled on the eastern seaboard of the continent. Some, however, moved north to a then infant Canada as United Empire Loyalists after ironically serving with the English in the American War of Independence. Others that remained in America later joined the westward migration in search of land. The greatest influx of Irish immigrants, though, came to North America during the Great Potato Famine of the late 1840s. Thousands left Ireland at this time for North America, and those who arrived were immediately put to work building railroads, coal mines, bridges, and canals. In fact, the foundations of today's powerful nations of the United States and Canada were to a larger degree built by the Irish. Archival documents indicate that members of the Brislane family relocated to North American shores quite early: 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
