Surname Brosnan - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'B'
Brosnan: What does the surname Brosnan mean?
The last name Brosnan is an Irish surname originating in County Mayo, Ireland. It is an Anglicized form of the Irish name "Ó Bruasnáin" which translates to "descendent of Bruasnán". The Gaelic personal name Bruasnán is believed to be derived from the Gaelic word “bruth”, which means “sorrow” or “rage”.
The Brosnan name is most frequently found in County Mayo, with records of the surname dating back to the early 1500s. The Brosnan family held a hereditary stewardship of Tirawley, Mayo and were the most powerful of the Mayo territorial families until their estates were confiscated in the mid-1800s.
The Brosnan family spread throughout Ireland and abroad. Many emigrated to the United States, Australia, and other countries around the world, particularly during the 19th and 20th centuries. Irish actor Pierce Brosnan is perhaps the most well-known bearer of the Brosnan name.
The Brosnan surname carries a heritage of strong leadership, courage and a determined spirit, traits that have helped the family survive and thrive over the centuries.
Order DNA origin analysisBrosnan: Where does the name Brosnan come from?
The last name Brosnan is commonly found in the United States, Ireland, Australia, United Kingdom, and Canada.
The origins of the last name Brosnan in the United States, Canada, and Australia can be traced back to Irish immigrants who settled there in the 1800s. In Ireland, the last name Brosnan is predominantly found in Counties Kerry and Tipperary, and the surname is derived from the ancient Gaelic "O'Brosnain," which means "descendant of Robhover" or "son of Robhover."
In the United Kingdom, Brosnan is a well known name in numerous parts of the country, including Yorkshire and Derbyshire. It is believed that the surname there is originally of Irish origin.
More recently, Brosnan is also used as a first name, notably by 007 actor Pierce Brosnan. The last name is often seen spelt differently, such as with an 'e' on the end in place of the 'n'.
In summary, the Brosnan surname is a fairly widespread one today, with significant populations in North America and Europe. With origins dating back to ancient Ireland, it is likely to remain a popular name for many years to come.
Variations of the surname Brosnan
The surname Brosnan is an anglicised version of the Gaelic surname Ó Branáin, which originated in Ireland. The Ó Branáin family was a branch of the Ó Conchobhair, or O'Connor, clan of County Tipperary.
There are a number of variants, spellings and surnames that have the same origin as Brosnan. The primary alternative spelling is O’Brosnan, which is generally seen as the original version of the surname. The variant spellings Brunan, Bronan, Brannan, and Brannen can also be found in some sources.
The anglicised versions of Ó Branáin have developed into various surnames in both Ireland and in the United States. There are variants of these surnames, such as Brannigan, Brannan, Branigan, Brannock, and Branick. The shorter surnames Bran and Bren are also derived from this root.
In some cases, Brosnan is used as a given name, such as in the United States and Ireland, where the name is popularly associated with Australian actor Pierce Brosnan. A number of other variants exist in Scotland, including Breason, Bresson, and Brisson.
To sum up, Brosnan is an anglicised version of the Gaelic Ó Branáin, which is the root of a number of alternative spellings, surnames, and variants. Variants and spellings of the surname include O’Brosnan, Brunan, Bronan, Brannan, Brannen, Brannigan, Branigan, Brannock, Branick, Bran, Bren, Breason, Bresson, and Brisson.
Famous people with the name Brosnan
- Pierce Brosnan: A famed actor and producer born in Ireland, Pierce Brosnan is known for his roles in films such as GoldenEye, Mamma Mia, The Thomas Crown Affair, and The Matador.
- Conor Brosnan: The football (soccer) player is a member of the Irish aerial team, who made his professional debut in 2020 with the team.
- Sean Brosnan: The son of actor Pierce Brosnan, Sean is an actor who has appeared in films such as I.T and Tea with the Dames.
- Miley Cyrus Brosnan: Miley is an important member of the Brosnan family and is the partner of filmmaker Roarke Morris.
- Dylan Brosnan: Son of actor Pierce Brosnan, Dylan is an active model and musician, and is signed to DT Model Management.
- Keely Shaye Smith: The second wife of Pierce Brosnan, Keely Shaye Smith is an environmental activist, host, and actress, best known for her appearances on the TV show Extra.
- Paris Brosnan: Son of actor Pierce Brosnan, Paris is an actor and model, who has appeared in films such as Die Another Day and Mission: Impossible: Ghost Protocol.
- Charlotte Brosnan: Charlotte is the daughter of Pierce Brosnan and Keely Shaye Smith, and a young actress herself. She has appeared in films such as Thomas & Friends: Journey Beyond Sodor and The Sommerdahl Murders.