Brian Family Crest, Coat of Arms & Brian Name Origin

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Origin of the Name Brian

The Brian family history was found in the allfamilycrests.com archives. The name Brian in Ireland is from the famous O'Brien name, other variants of which include O'Bryan, O'Bryen and Bryan. Breton bearers of this name were among the Normans who invaded England in 1066, and then went on to invade Ireland where they settled. The O'Briens were a famous and powerful Irish sept, taking their name from the 10th century King, Brian Boru, their territory being Clare and Limerick. Their history fills volumes beginning with the saga of their contentions with the Normans and Tudors. They held many titles of nobility as Earls of Thomond, Viscounts of Clare and Earls of Inchiquin. The 6th Earl of Thomond sided with the ravaging Cromwellians but often more constructive Earls of Thomond built Abbeys and fine Castles. In the Battle of the Boyne they were active on both sides, the losing O'Briens fleeing to France, where they founded Clare's Dragoons.