O'Brien surname: meaning and origin
O'Brien means descendant of Brian, after Brian Bóruma (Brian Boru). It is a native Gaelic Irish family from Clare, Limerick and Tipperary (Thomond).
| Irish form | Ó Briain |
|---|---|
| Meaning | descendant of Brian, after Brian Bóruma (Brian Boru) |
| Home region | Clare, Limerick and Tipperary (Thomond) (Munster) |
| Origin | Gaelic |
| Variants | Brien, Bryan |
History of the O'Brien name
The O'Briens descend from Brian Bóruma, High King of Ireland, who died at Clontarf in 1014. They were kings of Thomond for centuries.
The first name behind O'Brien
This surname comes from an old given name. Read about it: Brian.
More surnames from Munster
- Barryde Barra · from Barry
- CahillÓ Cathail · descendant of Cathal
- O'CallaghanÓ Ceallacháin · descendant of Ceallachán
- McCarthyMac Cárthaigh · son of Cárthach
- CaseyÓ Cathasaigh · descendant of Cathasach
- CollinsÓ Coileáin · descendant of Coileán
Frequently asked questions
What does the surname O'Brien mean?
O'Brien (Irish: Ó Briain) means descendant of Brian, after Brian Bóruma (Brian Boru).
What is the Irish spelling of O'Brien?
The Irish-language form of O'Brien is Ó Briain.
Where is the surname O'Brien from?
O'Brien is a native Gaelic Irish family, associated with Clare, Limerick and Tipperary (Thomond) in Munster.
What are other spellings of O'Brien?
Related spellings and forms include Brien, Bryan.