Brennan surname: meaning and origin

Brennan means descendant of Braonán, a diminutive of a word meaning sorrow or drop. It is a native Gaelic Irish family from Kilkenny and Roscommon.

Irish formÓ Braonáin
Meaningdescendant of Braonán, a diminutive of a word meaning sorrow or drop
Home regionKilkenny and Roscommon (Leinster)
OriginGaelic
VariantsBrannan, O'Brennan

History of the Brennan name

There were two main Brennan families, the Ossory Brennans of Kilkenny and the Connacht Brennans of Roscommon and Mayo.

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Frequently asked questions

What does the surname Brennan mean?

Brennan (Irish: Ó Braonáin) means descendant of Braonán, a diminutive of a word meaning sorrow or drop.

What is the Irish spelling of Brennan?

The Irish-language form of Brennan is Ó Braonáin.

Where is the surname Brennan from?

Brennan is a native Gaelic Irish family, associated with Kilkenny and Roscommon in Leinster.

What are other spellings of Brennan?

Related spellings and forms include Brannan, O'Brennan.

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