McBretnach History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland
Ireland

Early Origins of the McBretnach family

The surname McBretnach was first found in Galloway (Gaelic: Gall-ghaidhealaibh), an area of southwestern Scotland, now part of the Council Area of Dumfries and Galloway, that formerly consisted of the counties of Wigtown (West Galloway) and Kirkcudbright (East Galloway), where they held a family seat. In a strange convolution of heritage and translation from the Gaelic, this name, Cretney is descended from MacBratney, or MacBhreatnaich, the Gaelic, meaning a son of the Strathclyde Briton, or children of the Britons, who settled amongst the Gaels. From their home lands in Clontag and Knockane in Galloway in Western Scotland they descended to Martin Birty who appears in records in 1471. They were known as the Clann a'Bhreatannich, and were originally from the Island of Gigha off Kintyre, a branch of the Galbraiths as early as 1230. The name evolved to Makbretny, and thence to Vretny and Cretny.

Early History of the McBretnach family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our McBretnach research. Another 114 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1590, 1685 and 1890 are included under the topic Early McBretnach History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

McBretnach Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: MacBretney, Bretny, Bretney, MacBratney, Vretny, Cretney, Cretnie, Cretny, McBretnach, McBratny, MacBraten, MacBretnie, McVretney and many more.

Early Notables of the McBretnach family

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

Migration of the McBretnach family to Ireland

Some of the McBretnach family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 82 words (6 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the McBretnach family

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: included settlers in both the U.S.A and Canada in the 18th and 19th centuries.

The McBretnach 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: Quad ero spero
Motto Translation: What I shall be, I hope.