Brennan is an Irish surname which is an anglicised form of two different Irish-language surnames: Ó Braonáin and Ó Branáin (or Mac Branáin).[1][2][3] Historically, one source of the surname was the prominent clan Ua Braonáin (O'Brennan) of Uí Duach (Idough)[4] in Osraige who were a junior Dál Birn sept stemming from a younger son of Cerball mac Dúnlainge (d.888).[5] Recent surname evaluations highlighted the geographic consistency of this lineage in the barony of Idough.[6][7] However, based on the ultimate authority of Dubhaltach Mac Fhirbhisigh they are out of Ui Dhuinn (O’Dunn) [8] and, therefore, an Uí Failghi tribe, not Osraige. While it is clearly apparent that O’Hart's pedigree is erroneous, it is suggested that Ó Cléirigh probably became confused while transcribing from Mac Fhirbhisigh.[9] This is echoed by the modern scholar, Bart Jaski.[10]
Language(s) | English |
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Origin | |
Language(s) | Irish |
Derivation |
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Meaning |
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Region of origin | Ireland |
The Irish surname Ó Braonáin, means "descendant of Braonán". The personal name Braonán is derived from a word which means "moisture", "drop". The Irish surname Ó Branáin, means "descendant of Branán". The personal name Branán means "little raven".[11] Brennan is also a given name.
Notable people with the surname include: