Brannigan History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms 

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 Brannigan name:

Brannigan Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

• Michael Brannigan, who arrived in New York 1846

Brannigan Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

• James Brannigan, aged 19, who settled in America from Tyrone, in 1900
• James Brannigan, aged 39, who landed in America from Glasgow, in 1903
• John Brannigan, aged 27, who immigrated to America from Kilkenny, Ireland, in 1904
• Joseph Brannigan, aged 24, who settled in America from Tyrone, in 1906
• Elizabeth Brannigan, aged 2, who immigrated to America from Glasgow, Scotland, in 1907
• ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Brannigan Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

• Bernard Brannigan, aged 24, a farmer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Neptune" in 1833
• Mary Brannigan, aged 21, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Neptune" in 1833

• Felix Brannigan (1844-1907), Irish soldier who received the Medal of Honor for valor during the American Civil War
• Francis L. "Frank" Brannigan (1918-2006), American writer and teacher in the field of fire protection engineering, best known as the author of "Building Construction for the Fire Service" which was in its third edition when he died
• Joseph C. Brannigan (1931-2015), American social worker and politician, Member of the Maine Senate (2006-2012)
• Joseph C. Brannigan, American Democratic Party politician, Member of Maine State House of Representatives 35th District, 2001 4
• James W. Brannigan Jr., American politician, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of California, 1993 4
• James W. Brannigan Jr., American politician, U.S. Attorney for Maine, 1979-80 4
• Eimear Brannigan (b. 1980), Irish camogie player who has won All-Ireland Junior titles with Dublin in 2005 and 2006
• Colleen Corradi Brannigan, Irish-Italian artist
• Owen Brannigan OBE (1908-1973), English bass, known in opera for buffo roles
• Paul Brannigan (b. 1986), Scottish BAFTA Scotland Award winning actor, best known for his roles as Gareth O'Connor in Scottish soap opera River City
• ... (Another 3 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

• Family Crests: the Heraldic Artist
• Family Crests: Timeline
• Family Crests: Elements
• Family Crests and Genealogy: how they relate
• Spelling variations
• Ireland
• Ulster
• War of Independence
• Great Potato Famine
• Irish families
• Australia
• Scotland