Brollahan History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Ireland
Scotland

The ancestors of the Brollahan surname are thought to have lived in the ancient Scottish kingdom of Dalriada. The name Brollahan was given to someone who lived on the island of Iona, in the south Hebrides, but their ancient roots are in Ireland.

Early Origins of the Brollahan family

The surname Brollahan 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 Brollahan family

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

Brollahan Spelling Variations

The translation of Gaelic names in the Middle Ages was not a task undertaken with great care. Records from that era show an enormous number of spelling variations, even in names referring to the same person. Over the years Brollahan has appeared as 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 Brollahan family

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

Migration of the Brollahan family to Ireland

Some of the Brollahan 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 Brollahan family

Significant portions of the populations of both the United States and Canada are still made up of the ancestors of Dalriadan families. Some of those in Canada originally settled the United States, but went north as United Empire Loyalists in the American War of Independence. The late 19th and early 20th centuries saw the ancestors of many Scots on both sides of the border begin to recover their collective national heritage through Clan societies and highland games. Some of the first North American settlers carried this name or one of its variants: Patrick O'Brallaghan who settled in New York State in 1785.

The Brollahan 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.