Show ContentsO'Braccen History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The Irish name O'Braccen was originally written in a Gaelic form as Ó Breacain, from the word breac, which means speckled. 1

Early Origins of the O'Braccen family

The surname O'Braccen was first found in Dublin (Irish: Áth Cliath) located on the east coast of Ireland in the province of Leinster, where they held a family seat from ancient times.

Early History of the O'Braccen family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our O'Braccen research. Another 92 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1014, 1697 and 1764 are included under the topic Early O'Braccen History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

O'Braccen Spelling Variations

Irish names were rarely spelled consistently in the Middle Ages. Spelling variations of the name O'Braccen dating from that time include Bracken, Braken and others.

Early Notables of the O'Braccen family

Another 27 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early O'Braccen Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the O'Braccen family

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 O'Braccen or a variant listed above: James Bracken, who arrived in Philadelphia in 1831; John Bracken, who settled in New England in 1806; Michael, Patrick, Robert, Thomas, who all arrived in Philadelphia between 1840 and 1860..



  1. MacLysaght, Edward, The Surnames of Ireland. Ireland: Irish Academic Press, sixth edition, 1985. Print. (ISBN 0-7165-2366-3)


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