Bryen History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland-Alt
Ireland

The name Bryen is of Norman origin, derived from the personal name Brian which was popular in France and Norman England before it came to Ireland. It has sometimes been used as a synonym for O'Brien, though it is of different origin.

Brian (926-1014), was King of Ireland, known in Irish writings as Brian Boroimhe, Boroma most commonly in earlier books as Brian Mac Cennedigh (Book of Leinster), and in English writings as Bryan Mac Kennedy and Brian Boru, He was a native of the northern part of Munster, and was of the royal descent of Thomond, of the family known as Dal Cais. Brian, who was born in 926, was the youngest of three sons. 1

Early Origins of the Bryen family

The surname Bryen was first found in County Kilkenny (Irish: Cill Chainnigh), the former Kingdom of Osraige (Ossory), located in Southeastern Ireland in the province of Leinster, where bearers of the surname settled in the 13th century.

Early History of the Bryen family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bryen research. More information is included under the topic Early Bryen History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Bryen Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Bryan, Brian, OBryan, McBryan, O'Bryant and others.

Early Notables of the Bryen family

Another 29 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Bryen Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Bryen migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Bryen Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

John Bryen, who landed in Boston, Massachusetts in 1764 2

Bryen Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Patrick Bryen, aged 56, who arrived in New York in 1812 2
Margaret Bryen, aged 3, who landed in New York, NY in 1849 2
William Bryen, aged 25, who arrived in New York, NY in 1849 2
Catherine Bryen, aged 25, who landed in New York, NY in 1849 2
Eliza Bryen, who arrived in New York, NY in 1849 2

Citations +

Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)