O'Brien
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O'Brien Surname Genealogy
Select O'Brien Names
Brian Boru, the legendary 10th century Irish king, left his name to the O'Brien clan.
Murrough O'Brien, known as Murcha of the burnings, played a controversial role in mid 17th century Irish politics. He was made President of Munster for expelling the Catholics and then became a Catholic himself.
Conan O'Brien is an American comedian and late-night talk show host.
Select O'Briens Today
The
O'Brien clan is the main family
descended from Brian Boru,
the legendary king of Ireland in the 10th century. The Ui Braians ruled
over
Munster after Brian Boru's death and later
ranked as one of the chief dynastic families of Ireland.
Over the subsequent centuries there were many O'Brien branches. The Earls of Thurmond, representing the main descent, tended to be on the side of the English, the Viscounts Clare on the other hand being Catholic supporters were fighting in the French army. A younger line produced William Smith O'Brien who with his family devoted themselves to the Irish cause at the time of the potato famine and led the Young Ireland Movement. Other O'Briens of varying backgrounds also became engaged in the cause of Irish nationalism at this time.
Under English pressure or prejudice, the "O" in O'Brien could disappear. A third were registering as Brien instead at the turn of the century. But O'Brien is back in fashion again. Other name variants are Bryan, McBryan, O'Brian, O'Bryan, Bryant, and Breen.
Elsewhere. Today, due to the Irish emigration, there are almost four times as many O'Briens and variants outside Ireland than within, with the largest number being in America.
Select
O'Brien Resources on
The
Internet
- O'Brien Clan. Clan website.
- Royal O'Brien Clan UK Chapter. UK clan website.
- O'Brien - The Family Tree. O'Briens from Ireland to Newfoundland, Massachusetts and Rhode Island.
- O'Brien Ancestry. O'Briens from Ireland to Canada.
Over the subsequent centuries there were many O'Brien branches. The Earls of Thurmond, representing the main descent, tended to be on the side of the English, the Viscounts Clare on the other hand being Catholic supporters were fighting in the French army. A younger line produced William Smith O'Brien who with his family devoted themselves to the Irish cause at the time of the potato famine and led the Young Ireland Movement. Other O'Briens of varying backgrounds also became engaged in the cause of Irish nationalism at this time.
Under English pressure or prejudice, the "O" in O'Brien could disappear. A third were registering as Brien instead at the turn of the century. But O'Brien is back in fashion again. Other name variants are Bryan, McBryan, O'Brian, O'Bryan, Bryant, and Breen.
Elsewhere. Today, due to the Irish emigration, there are almost four times as many O'Briens and variants outside Ireland than within, with the largest number being in America.
Select O'Brien Names
Brian Boru, the legendary 10th century Irish king, left his name to the O'Brien clan.
Murrough O'Brien, known as Murcha of the burnings, played a controversial role in mid 17th century Irish politics. He was made President of Munster for expelling the Catholics and then became a Catholic himself.
William Smith O'Brien was the 19th
century Irish nationalist who led the 1848 uprising after the potato
famine.
William
O'Brien was the Irish nationalist who founded the United Irish
League, the forerunner to the nationalist Sinn Fein party.
Edna O'Brien is an Irish novelist and short story writer who novels were first banned in Ireland.
Aidan O'Brien is a very
successful Irish horserace trainer.Edna O'Brien is an Irish novelist and short story writer who novels were first banned in Ireland.
Conan O'Brien is an American comedian and late-night talk show host.
Select O'Briens Today
- 37,000 in the UK (most numerous in Lancashire)
- 50,000 in America (most numerous in New York)
- 108,000 elsewhere (most numerous in Ireland)
Select Surname List
For other surnames check the companion selectsurname.com site where there are to be found the history and genealogy for more than 500 surnames.
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