| ![Show Contents]() Brislin History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
 Ireland The Irish surname Brislin is an Anglicized form of the Gaelic patronymic name Ó Breisláin, or "descendant of Breisleán." Early Origins of the Brislin familyThe surname Brislin was first found in Donegal (Irish: Dún na nGall), northwest Ireland in the province of Ulster, sometimes referred to as County Tyrconnel where the O'Breislein Sept, branch of the Cenél Enda held the district of Fanad, located in the Barony of Kilmacrenan. They were one of the principal Brehon families of Ireland, mentioned frequently by the Four Masters. Brehons served as judges, ambassadors and negotiators, brokering deals and treaties, and settling disputes between the feudal lords of medieval Ireland. They were the interpreters of Brehon law. Early History of the Brislin familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Brislin research. Another 97 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1260, 1306, 1307 and 1659 are included under the topic Early Brislin History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Brislin Spelling VariationsPronunciation, rather than spelling, guided scribes and church officials when recording names during the Middle Ages. This practice often resulted in one person's name being recorded under several different spellings. Numerous spelling variations of the surname Brislin are preserved in these old documents. The various spellings of the name that were found include O'Breislein, O'Berislein, O'Breslin, Breslin and others. Early Notables of the Brislin familyMore information is included under the topic Early Brislin Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
 Brislin migration to the United States | + |
A massive amount of Ireland's native population left the island in the 19th century for North America and Australia in hopes of finding more opportunities and an escape from discrimination and oppression. A great portion of these migrants arrived on the eastern shores of the North American continent. Although they were generally poor and destitute, and, therefore, again discriminated against, these Irish people were heartily welcomed for the hard labor involved in the construction of railroads, canals, roadways, and buildings. Many others were put to work in the newly established factories or agricultural projects that were so essential to the development of what would become two of the wealthiest nations in the world. The Great Potato Famine during the late 1840s initiated the largest wave of Iris immigration. Early North American immigration and passenger lists have revealed a number of people bearing the name Brislin or a variant listed above:
Brislin Settlers in United States in the 20th Century- Mary Brislin, aged 4, who immigrated to the United States from Glasgow, in 1906
- Margaret Brislin, aged 21, who landed in America from Hackelston, Ireland, in 1909
- Sarah Brislin, aged 20, who settled in America from Ballina, Ireland, in 1914
- William Brislin, aged 25, who immigrated to the United States from Ballina, Ireland, in 1915
- Joseph Brislin, aged 21, who settled in America from Ballina, Ireland, in 1915
- ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
| Contemporary Notables of the name Brislin (post 1700) | + |
- Henry C. Brislin, American politician, Mayor of Rutland, Vermont (1917-1918) and (1917-1918)
- John Harold Brislin, American Pulitzer Prize winning journalist
- John Brislin (1838-1907), American inventor who invented moveable rolling table used by Andrew Carnegie's U.S. Steel
- Tom Brislin, American keyboardist, vocalist, songwriter, and producer, known for his work with Yes, Meat Loaf and Debbie Harry
- John A. Brislin, American Democratic Party politician, Candidate for Pennsylvania State Senate 14th District, 1954 1
- H. C. Brislin, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Vermont, 1920 1
- Mrs. C. M. Brislin, American Democratic Party politician, Member of Democratic National Committee from Vermont, 1920 1
- Kevin Brislin (b. 1942), Australian cyclist who competed in the team pursuit at the 1964 Summer Olympics
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Brislin migration to the United States 
