Show ContentsBeirne History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The Irish name Beirne was originally written in a Gaelic form as Ó Birn or Ó Beirn, from the Norse forename Bjorn. 1

Early Origins of the Beirne family

The surname Beirne was first found in Connacht (Irish: Connachta, (land of the) descendants of Conn), where they held a family seat from ancient times.

Early History of the Beirne family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Beirne research. Another 162 words (12 lines of text) covering the years 1747, 1748, 1789, 1812, 1823, 1850, 1853 and 1887 are included under the topic Early Beirne History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Beirne Spelling Variations

Before widespread literacy came to Ireland, a name was often recorded under several different variations during the life of its bearer. Accordingly, numerous spelling variations were revealed in the search for the origin of the name Beirne family name. Variations found include Bierne, O'Bierne, Biern, O'Biern, Beirne, O'Beirne, Beirn, O'Beirn, Birn, O'Birn, Birne and many more.

Early Notables of the Beirne family

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


United States Beirne 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 Beirne:

Beirne Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Michael Beirne, who arrived in New York in 1838 2
  • Michael Beirne to Philadelphia in 1867
  • Patrick Beirne to Philadelphia in 1869
  • Roderick Beirne to Texas in 1898

Contemporary Notables of the name Beirne (post 1700) +

  • Paul Beirne, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from New York, 2000 3
  • Mary Beirne, American Republican politician, Member of Michigan Republican State Central Committee, 1979 3
  • Margaret M. Beirne, American politician, Representative from New York 22nd District, 1990 3
  • John T. Beirne, American politician, Mayor of Creve Coeur, Missouri, 1965 3
  • Helen D. Beirne, American Republican politician, Member of Alaska State House of Representatives 10th District, 1973-74 3
  • Logan Beirne, American writer, historian, and lawyer
  • Brian Beirne (b. 1946), American radio DJ for KRTH-FM aka K-EARTH 101 in Southern California
  • Jim Beirne (b. 1946), American college wide receiver at Purdue University and later a NFL player for the Houston Oilers
  • Andrew Beirne (1771-1845), Irish-born, American politician, Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Virginia (1837-1841)
  • Charles J. Beirne S.J. (1938-2010), American Jesuit and academic administrator
  • ... (Another 6 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)


  1. MacLysaght, Edward, The Surnames of Ireland. Ireland: Irish Academic Press, sixth edition, 1985. Print. (ISBN 0-7165-2366-3)
  2. 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)
  3. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2016, January 29) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html


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