Breen History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms 

Origins Available: 
  Ireland 


The Irish name Breen has evolved from the Gaelic Mac Braoin or Ó Braoin.

Early Origins of the Breen family

The surname Breen 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 the family is descended through the Heremon line and claim to be direct descendants of King Niall of the Nine Hostages.

They were known as the Lords of Brawney 1 and were an Ossory sept (Clann) seated near Knocktopher, Kilkenny, until they had to forfeit their lands by the Anglo Norman invasion of Strongbow, Earl of Pembroke in 1172. They were subsequently dispersed throughout Ireland.

Early History of the Breen family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Breen research. Another 185 words (13 lines of text) covering the years 1303, 1324, 1560 and 1625 are included under the topic Early Breen History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Breen Spelling Variations

Irish names were rarely spelled consistently in the Middle Ages. Spelling variations of the name Breen dating from that time include Breen, Breene, Brean, Breane, Bruen, Brawney, O'Breen, O'Braoin and many more.

Early Notables of the Breen family

Notable among the family name at this time was

Breen World Ranking

In the United States, the name Breen is the 3,011st most popular surname with an estimated 9,948 people with that name. 2 However, in Newfoundland, Canada, the name Breen is ranked the 414th most popular surname with an estimated 113 people with that name. 3 And in Australia, the name Breen is the 997th popular surname with an estimated 3,961 people with that name. 4


Breen migration to the United States +

Thousands of Irish families left for North American shores in the 19th century. These people were searching for a life unencumbered with poverty, hunger, and racial discrimination. Many arrived to eventually find such conditions, but many others simply did not arrive: victims of the diseased, overcrowded ships in which they traveled to the New World. Those who lived to see North American shores were instrumental in the development of the growing nations of Canada and the United States. A thorough examination of passenger and immigration lists has disclosed evidence of many early immigrants of the name Breen:

Breen Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
Breen Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Breen migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Breen Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Breen migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Breen Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Breen migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Breen Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Contemporary Notables of the name Breen (post 1700) +


The Breen 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: Comnac an Ceane
Motto Translation: Fight for Right
Fastest Delivery Possible

Digital Products on Checkout, all other products filled in 1 business day

Money Back Guarantee

Yes, all products 100% Guraranteed

BBB A+ Rating

The Best Rating possible

Secure Online Payment

Entire site uses SSL / Secure Certificate