The O'Brien Coat of Arms and Name Meaning
Discover the meaning of O'Brien, its origins in Ireland, and the story behind a O'Brien family crest.
Origin of the O'Brien name
O'Brien comes from Ó Briain, "descendant of Brian", after Brian Boru, the High King of Ireland who fell at the Battle of Clontarf in 1014. His descendants ruled Thomond, roughly County Clare, for centuries and later held the titles of Earl and Baron of Inchiquin.
Our historical archives hold much more on the O'Brien name: dates, names and records of early bearers.
This overview covers the O'Brien name in Ireland. We also hold records of the name in other countries, such as the United States, Australia and England; your full pack is researched for your family's country of origin.
Get your full O'Brien family history
The complete O'Brien pack goes much further: documented origins, early records and family spread, plus a hand-checked coat of arms.
O'Brien name FAQ
What does the O'Brien name mean?
Descendant of Brian Boru. Common variants include Brien, O'Bryan, Bryan.
Where does the O'Brien surname come from?
It originates in Ireland, and is also found in the United States, Australia and England.
Is there a O'Brien coat of arms?
Arms were granted to individuals, not whole surnames, so there is no single O'Brien crest. Herald Lab paints a personalized O'Brien coat of arms based on historic heraldry.
Researched by Herald Lab Research Studio, since 1993. Sources: MacLysaght, The Surnames of Ireland; Dictionary of American Family Names (Oxford).