Surname · Irish origin
O’Brien
Meaning
The surname O’Brien means Descendant of Brian.
Origin
Irish
Type
patronymic
Variants
2
The origin of the surname O’Brien
O’Brien means “descendant of Brian,” the high king Brian Boru.
What kind of surname is O’Brien?
O’Brien is a patronymic surname, derived from a father's or ancestor's given name. It belongs to the Irish naming tradition — you can read how Irish surnames were formed on our Irish last names page.
Variants & spellings of O’Brien
You may also see this surname written as:
- OBrien
- Brien
Other Irish surnames
Other patronymic surnames
Family names formed the same way, from different cultures.
Frequently asked questions
What does the surname O’Brien mean?
The surname O’Brien means Descendant of Brian. O’Brien means “descendant of Brian,” the high king Brian Boru.
Where does the surname O’Brien come from?
O’Brien is a surname of Irish origin.
What kind of surname is O’Brien?
O’Brien is a patronymic surname, derived from a father's or ancestor's given name.
What are other spellings of O’Brien?
Variant spellings of O’Brien include OBrien, Brien.
What are other Irish surnames?
Other Irish surnames include Boyle, Brennan, Byrne, Callaghan, Connolly, Daly.