Brennan (surname)

BrennanPronunciation| /ˈbrɛnən/

|

Language(s)| English
Origin
Language(s)| Irish
Derivation|

* Ó Braonáin
* Ó Branáin or Mac Branáin

Meaning|

* 'moisture', 'drop'
* 'little raven'

Region of origin| Ireland

Brennan (/ˈbrɛnən/)[1] is an Irish surname which is an anglicised form of two different Irish-language surnames: Ó Braonáin and Ó Branáin (or Mac Branáin).[2][3][4] Historically, one source of the surname was the prominent clan Ua Braonáin (O'Brennan) of Uí Duach (Idough)[5] in Osraige who were a junior Dál Birn sept stemming from a younger son of Cerball mac Dúnlainge (d.888).[6] Recent surname evaluations highlighted the geographic consistency of this lineage in the barony of Idough.[7][8] However, based on the ultimate authority of Dubhaltach Mac Fhirbhisigh they are out of Ui Dhuinn (O’Dunn)[9] 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.[10] This is echoed by the modern scholar, Bart Jaski.[11]

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".[12] Brennan is also a given name.

Notable people with the surname include:

Contents:

* Top
* A
* B
* C
* D
* E
* F
* G
* H
* I
* J
* K
* L
* M
* N
* O
* P
* Q
* R
* S
* T
* U
* V
* W
* X
* Y
* Z

## A

[edit]

* Aaron Brennan, fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours
* Ad Brennan (1887–1962), pitcher in Major League Baseball
* Alastair Brennan (born 1945), British ice hockey player
* Allison Brennan (born 1969), American writer of romantic thriller novels
* Amanda Brennan, content and community associate at Tumblr
* Andrew Brennan, various people
* Angela Brennan (born 1960), Australian painter.
* Anna Teresa Brennan (1879–1962), Australian lawyer
* Anne M. Brennan, acting United States General Counsel of the Navy (2009–2010, 2017–present)
* Archie Brennan (born 2000), English footballer
* Archie Brennan (weaver) (1931–2019), Scottish tapestry maker
* Arthur Brennan (1881–1931), Australian rules footballer
* Ashleigh Brennan (born 1991), Australian gymnast

## B

[edit]

* Barbara Brennan (1939–2022), American author and spiritual healer
* Barry Brennan (Galway footballer) (born 1956), Irish Gaelic footballer from County Galway
* Barry Brennan (born 1975), Irish Gaelic footballer from County Laois
* Bernie Brennan (born 1927), Canadian Football League player
* Beth Brennan (also Willis), fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours
* Bishop Len Brennan, fictional character from Irish sitcom  Father Ted
* Brent Brennan (born 1973), American college football head coach for San José State University
* Brian Brennan (author) (born 1943), Irish-Canadian author and historian
* Brian Brennan (born 1962), former professional American football player
* Bríd Brennan (born 1953), North Irish actress
* Brídín Brennan (born 1968), Irish pop singer, younger sister of Enya
* Biko Bradnock-Brennan (born 1992), Irish-English footballer

## C

[edit]

* Cait Brennan (born 1969), American singer
* Judith Tarr (pen name Caitlin Brennan) (born 1955), American fantasy and science fiction author
* T. Casey Brennan (born 1948), American comic book writer
* Cecily Brennan (born 1955), Irish artist
* Charles Brennan (born 1967), Professor of Food Science at Lincoln University, New Zealand
* Chris Brennan (born 1971), American mixed martial artist
* Chrisann Brennan (born 1954), American painter and writer
* Christine Brennan (born 1958), sports columnist for the USA Today
* Christopher Brennan (sailor) (1832 – after 1863), Union Navy sailor in the American Civil War
* Christopher Brennan (1870–1932), Australian poet and scholar
* Ciarán Brennan (born 1954), Irish singer and musician
* Cindy Brennan, co-owner and managing partner of Mr. B's Bistro
* Claire Baker (née Brennan; born 1971), Scottish Labour Party politician
* Colleen Brennan (born 1949), American pornographic actress
* Colt Brennan (1983–2021), American football player
* Conor Brennan (born 1994), Northern Irish footballer
* Cormac Brennan (born 1995), Irish rugby union player

## D

[edit]

* Dan Brennan (born 1962), Canadian NHL player
* Daniel Brennan, Baron Brennan (born 1942), British Labour life peer and barrister
* Darren Brennan (born 13 November 1996), Irish hurler
* Dean Brennan (born 1980), Irish footballer
* Debbie Brennan, British Paralympian athlete
* Denis Brennan (born 1945), Roman Catholic Bishop of Ferns
* Don Brennan
* Donal Brennan (born 1986), Gaelic footballer
* Doreen Brennan, Irish camogie player
* Doug Brennan (1903–1972), Canadian professional hockey defenceman
* Duncan Brannan (born 1970), voice actor sometimes credited as Duncan Brennan

## E

[edit]

* Eddie Brennan (born 1978), Irish hurling manager, sports broadcaster and former player
* Eddie Brennan (Gaelic footballer), Gaelic footballer
* Edward A. Brennan (1934–2007), chairman of the board, president (1980–1995) and CEO (1984–1995), of Sears, Roebuck and Co.
* Edward T. Brennan (1927–2015), American politician
* Eileen Brennan (1932–2013), American actress
* Ella Brennan (1925–2018), American restaurateur
* Eithne Brennan (born 1961), Irish singer best known as Enya
* Evie Brennan, American politician from Wyoming

## F

[edit]

* Fanny Brennan (1921–2001), French-American surrealist painter
* Fran Brennan (born 1940), Irish soccer player
* Frank Brennan (disambiguation)
* Frederick Hazlitt Brennan (1901–1962), American screenwriter
* Fredrick Brennan, American computer programmer

## G

[edit]

* Garth Brennan (born 1972), Australian professional rugby league football coach
* Gary Brennan, Manager of St. Patrick's G.A.A. Under 15's
* Gavin Brennan (born 1988), Irish footballer
* Geoffrey Brennan (1944–2022), professor of philosophy
* Georgianna Brennan, American journalist
* Ger Brennan, Irish Gaelic footballer
* Gerald Brennan (footballer) (born 1938), Australian rules footballer
* Gerard Brennan (1928–2022), Justice and later Chief Justice of the High Court of Australia
* Gloria Brennan (1948–1985), Aboriginal community leader and public servant from Western Australia
* Gomeo Brennan (born 1939), Bahamian boxer of the 1950s, '60s and '70s

## H

[edit]

* Harold Brennan (1905–1979), Australian politician
* Howard Brennan (1919–1983), witness to the assassination of U.S. President John F. Kennedy

## I

[edit]

* Ian Brennan (disambiguation)
* Ivy Brennan, fictional character from the British soap opera Coronation Street

## J

[edit]

* J. Keirn Brennan (1873–1948), American songwriter
* Jack Brennan (disambiguation)
* Jacob Brennan (born 1990), Australian rules footballer
* James Brennan (disambiguation)
* Jamie Brennan (born c. 1996/7), Irish Gaelic footballer
* Jane Brennan, Irish actress
* Jared Brennan (born 1984), Australian rules footballer
* Jason Brennan (born 1979), American philosopher and political scientist
* Jody Brennan (born 1983), Irish hurler
* John Brennan (disambiguation)
* Jon Brennan (born 1981), Jersey rugby player
* Joseph Brennan

## K

[edit]

* Kathleen Brennan (born 1950), American musician
* Katie Brennan (born 1992), Australian rules footballer
* Keith Brennan (1915–1985), Australian diplomat
* Kevin Brennan (disambiguation)
* Killian Brennan (born 1984), Irish professional footballer
* Kim Brennan (born 1985), Australian rower
* Kip Brennan (born 1980), Canadian professional hockey enforcer
* Kitty Brennan (born 1950), American jurist
* Kate Lord-Brennan, member of the Legislative Council of the Isle of Man (from 2018)

## L

[edit]

* Lee Brennan (born 1973), singer
* Liam Brennan, president of the Royal College of Anaesthetists (from 2015)
* Bishop Len Brennan, fictional character from the television series Father Ted
* Len Brennan (1911–1943), Australian rugby league player
* Leo Brennan (1925-2016) Irish showband musician, father of Enya, Brídín and several members of Clannad
* Les Brennan (born 1931), Australian rugby league footballer
* Les Brennan (Australian rules footballer) (1910–1992)
* Lesley Brennan, Scottish Labour Party politician
* Louis Brennan (1852–1932), 19th century inventor
* Luke Brennan (Australian footballer) (born 1985), Australian rules footballer
* Luke Brennan (English footballer) (born 2001), English footballer

## M

[edit]

* Mac Brennan (born 1990), American professional racing cyclist
* Maeve Brennan (1917–1993), Irish short story writer and journalist
* Margaret Brennan (disambiguation)
* Marie Brennan, American fantasy author
* Mark Brennan (disambiguation)
* Martin Brennan (disambiguation)
* Mary Brennan (born 1954), Member of the Florida House of Representatives
* Matt Brennan (disambiguation)
* Maureen Brennan (born 1954), English educator
* Maurice Brennan (1913–1986), British aerospace engineer
* Maurice B. Brennan (1842–1927), American politician
* Max Brennan (disambiguation)
* Megan Jane Brennan, Postmaster General of the United States (from 2015)
* Michael Brennan (disambiguation)
* Micky Brennan (born 1952), English professional footballer
* Mitch Brennan (born 1954), Australian rugby league footballer
* Moya Brennan (born 1952), singer and the older sister of Enya
* Murray Brennan (born 1940), New Zealand surgeon, oncologist, cancer researcher, and academic
* Myles Brennan (born 1999), American football player

## N

[edit]

* Nash Brennan, fictional character on the American drama One Life to Live
* Natasha Brennan (born 1986), English rugby union player
* Neal Brennan (born 1973), American writer, stand-up comedian, television director and producer
* Nelly Brennan (1792–1859), Manx washerwoman
* Nick Brennan, British cartoonist
* Nickey Brennan (born 1953), Irish hurler, manager and Gaelic games administrator
* Nigel Brennan (born 1972), Australian photojournalist and author
* Norman Brennan, serving police officer in London

## O

[edit]

* Owen Brennan (footballer) (1877–1961), Australian rules footballer
* Owen Brennan (restaurateur) (1910–1955), New Orleans restaurateur

## P

[edit]

* Paddy Brennan (born May 1981), Irish jockey
* Patricia Brennan (1944–2011), Australian medical doctor
* Patricia Flatley Brennan, director of the National Library of Medicine
* Patrick Brennan (disambiguation)
* Paudge Brennan (1922–1998), Irish Fianna Fáil politician
* Paul Brennan (disambiguation)
* Peter Brennan (disambiguation)
* Philip Brennan (disambiguation)
* Pól Brennan (born 1956), Irish singer, songwriter and producer

## R

[edit]

* Reed Brennan, fictional character from the book series Private
* Richard Brennan (disambiguation)
* Robert Brennan (disambiguation)
* Ralph Brennan, New Orleans restaurateur and head of The Ralph Brennan Restaurant Group
* Rory Brennan (born 1945), Irish poet
* Rose Brennan (born 1931), Irish singer
* Rosie Brennan (born 1988), American cross country skier
* Rowan Brennan (born 1958), Papua New Guinean professional rugby league footballer

## S

[edit]

* Samantha Brennan, British-born philosopher and scholar of women's studies
* Sarah Rees Brennan (born 1983), Irish writer
* Scott Brennan (disambiguation)
* Séamus Brennan (1948–2008), Fianna Fáil politician
* Síle Ní Bhraonáin (born 1983), television presenter
* Shane Brennan (born 1957), American and Australian television writer and producer
* Shay Brennan (1937–2000), Irish footballer
* Stella Brennan (born 1974), New Zealand artist, curator, and essayist
* Stephen Brennan (disambiguation)
* Stuart Brennan (born 1982), British actor, writer, producer and director

## T

[edit]

* T. Corey Brennan (born 1959), associate professor of classics at Rutgers University
* T. J. Brennan (born 1989), American professional ice hockey defenseman
* Tad Brennan (born 1962), American philosopher
* Temperance "Bones" Brennan, fictional character from the television series Bones
* Terrance Brennan, Chef-Proprietor of the restaurants of The Artisanal Group
* Terry Brennan (1928–2021), American football player and coach
* Terry Brennan (politician) (1942–2020), Irish Fine Gael politician
* Thomas Brennan (disambiguation)
* Tim Brennan (born 1983), member of the Celtic punk group Dropkick Murphys
* Timothy M. Brennan (born 1959), Compton police officer
* Tony Brennan (1916–1965), Irish hurler
* Tony Brennan (Gaelic footballer) (born 1944), Irish Gaelic footballer
* Trevor Brennan (born 1973), Irish rugby union player
* Tyler Brennan, fictional character from the Australian television soap opera Neighbours

## U

[edit]

* Ursula Brennan (born 1952), British civil servant
* Úna Brennan (1888–1958), Irish republican and feminist

## V

[edit]

* Vincent M. Brennan (1890–1959), US Representative from Michigan

## W

[edit]

* Walter Brennan (1894–1974), American actor
* Will Brennan (born 1998), American baseball player
* William Brennan (disambiguation)

## See also

[edit]

* Brenan, given name and surname
* Brennen, given name and surname

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Wells, John C. (2008). Longman Pronunciation Dictionary (3rd ed.). Longman. p. 103\. ISBN 978-1-4058-8118-0.
2. ^ Grenham, John (1994). The Little Book of Irish Clans. Edison, New Jersey: Chartwell. p. 10\. ISBN 0-7858-0083-2.
3. ^ "brennan Family History". Archived from the original on 23 September 2015.
4. ^ "O'Brennan Family Crest and History".
5. ^ "Ireland's History in Maps – Ancient Ossory, Osraige, Osraighe".
6. ^ "Brenan (No.1) family genealogy – Irish Pedigrees".
7. ^ "1659 Ireland Census map of the name (O)Brennan". Retrieved 25 December 2022.
8. ^ "Griffith's Valuation map of the name (O)Brennan". Retrieved 25 December 2022.
9. ^ Mac Fhirbhisigh, Dubhaltach (2003). Leabhar Mór na nGenealach. Dublin: De Burca.
10. ^ Fitzpatrick, Mike (2021). "The Similar-Sounding Surnames of Haplotype R-BY140757". The Journal of the Fitzpatrick Clan Society. 2: 1–41\. doi:10.48151/fitzpatrickclansociety00421.1-41&rft.date=2021&rft_id=info:doi/10.48151/fitzpatrickclansociety00421&rft.aulast=Fitzpatrick&rft.aufirst=Mike&rft_id=https://doi.org/10.48151%2Ffitzpatrickclansociety00421&rfr_id=info:sid/en.wikipedia.org:Brennan+(surname)" class="Z3988">
11. ^ Fitzpatrick, Mike (2022). "On Fitzpatrick Scholarship". The Journal of the Fitzpatrick Clan Society. 2022 (3): 73–77\. doi:10.48151/fitzpatrickclansociety01022.73-77&rft.date=2022&rft_id=info:doi/10.48151/fitzpatrickclansociety01022&rft.aulast=Fitzpatrick&rft.aufirst=Mike&rft_id=https://doi.org/10.48151%2Ffitzpatrickclansociety01022&rfr_id=info:sid/en.wikipedia.org:Brennan+(surname)" class="Z3988">
12. ^ "Brennan Name Meaning & Brennan Family History at Ancestry.com®". www.ancestry.com. Retrieved 25 December 2022.

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Personalities|

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Related lists|

* High Kings of Ireland
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Surname list

This page lists people with the surname Brennan.
If an internal link intending to refer to a specific person led you to this page, you may wish to change that link by adding the person's given name(s) to the link.

## External links

[edit]

Look up Brennan in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.

* 1659 Ireland Census map of the name (O)Brennan
* Griffith's Valuation map of the name (O)Brennan

*[c.]: circa
*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template