Show ContentsMcBryan History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name McBryan 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.

Brian (926-1014), was King of Ireland, known in Irish writings as Brian Boroimhe, Boroma most commonly in earlier books as Brian Mac Cennedigh (Book of Leinster), and in English writings as Bryan Mac Kennedy and Brian Boru, He was a native of the northern part of Munster, and was of the royal descent of Thomond, of the family known as Dal Cais. Brian, who was born in 926, was the youngest of three sons. 1

Early Origins of the McBryan family

The surname McBryan 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.

Early History of the McBryan family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our McBryan research. More information is included under the topic Early McBryan History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

McBryan Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Bryan, Brian, OBryan, McBryan, O'Bryant and others.

Early Notables of the McBryan family

Another 29 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early McBryan Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


McBryan migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

McBryan Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • John McBryan, aged 33, who arrived in North Carolina in 1813 2


  1. Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
  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)


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