The name Brians 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.
The surname Brians 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.
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Brians research. More information is included under the topic Early Brians History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Spelling variations of this family name include: Bryan, Brian, OBryan, McBryan, O'Bryant and others.
Another 29 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Brians Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: Edward Bryan, who settled in Virginia in 1652; Ann Bryan, who settled in Boston in 1744; Jane Bryan, who immigrated to Boston in 1745; John Bryan, who immigrated to Boston in 1765.