Surname MacBrian - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'M'
MacBrian: What does the surname MacBrian mean?
The last name MacBrian has roots in Irish-Gaelic culture and is actually a derivative of the old Gaelic personal name "Brian." It literally translates into "son of Brian." The term "Brian" itself has significance in Gaelic culture where it is believed to mean "noble" or "strong." The prefix "Mac," also of Gaelic origin, usually signifies "son of," thereby creating a sort of lineage system for naming. Therefore, someone with the surname MacBrian could be identified as coming from the lineage of a man named Brian. This name became popular due to the historical figure Brian Boru, the High King of Ireland. Over time, the spelling of such surnames has seen multiple variations like McBrian, O'Brien, and others due to regional dialects and Anglicization. Although it's an Irish name, it is also found in Scotland where the Gaelic culture had a significant influence. While the surname does not necessarily denote nobility today, its historic meaning carries a certain weight of heritage and belonging to the Irish Gaelic culture.
Order DNA origin analysisMacBrian: Where does the name MacBrian come from?
The last name MacBrian is quite common today especially in Scotland, Ireland and parts of the United Kingdom. It is derived from the Gaelic Mac Briain and is essentially an Anglicised version of the Irish name Mac Briain. The Irish Mac Briain family, named after their ancestor Brian Boru, is a branch of the Dalcassian sept, the royal house of Thomond.
In recent times, the name MacBrian is found mainly in Scotland, Ireland and the United Kingdom. However, the distinctive Scottish spelling of MacBrian (with the extra 'a' in the middle) is also found in the United States, Canada and Australia. In Scotland, the name is concentrated in the Angus, Aberdeenshire and Fife areas and is particularly common in Ayrshire, as well as in the Scottish diaspora.
In Ireland, Mac Brian is mainly found in the counties of Dublin, Galway and Cork, as well as along the coastal regions of the country. The Irish branch of the sept or family name are mainly found in the area between Dublin and Galway, and it is no surprising to find some spellings of the surname MacBryan associated with the Irish.
Internationally, the surname MacBrian is still quite common and figures among the top 500 most common surnames in the United States, Canada, Australia, France and Germany. The surname is derived from the root O Briain, grown in popularity over the centuries and more recently, adapted by many people in the English-speaking countries.
Variations of the surname MacBrian
The surname MacBrian is a Scottish patronymic surname primarily associated with Clan MacNaughton of the Western Hebrides, also known as the MacBryans of Keppoch. Its variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin include MacBraain, MacBrayne, MacBrain, MacBrayn, MacBryen, MacBraine, MacBractein, MacBrion, MacBraon, MacBran, MacBrann, MacBryant, MacBryantt, and MacBrannan.
MacBrain is the most popular variant of the surname MacBrian. The etymology of the surname MacBrain ultimately derives from the Gaelic word “bran,” which means “raven” or “crow,” and it is likely that the original bearer of the name was somebody with dark hair.
The surname MacBryen is recorded in Scotland since the 15th century and is derived from the Gaelic "MacBreige": the prefix "mac" meaning son of, and "Breige" meaning grace, goodwill, or prosperous. The surname MacBrannan is derived from a Scottish surname that is a compound surname made up of the Gaelic words for “son” and “courageous.”
Other variants of MacBrian include MacBryant, which is likely derived from the ancient Scots surname 'MacBryant', which suggests that the original inhabitant of this clan was a brave man. MacBryantt is also derived from the same root. It is an Anglicized version of the Gaelic patronymic MacBraithe, meaning the son of the brave one.
The surname MacBrannan is most likely derived from the Gaelic word “Brannan” meaning “proud” or “warlike.” This surname is most commonly found in Ireland. This is the Anglicized form of Mac Thighearnaigh, a surname which is composed of the Gaelic words “thighearnach” meaning lord or master, and “Mac” meaning son.
The ancient surname MacBraon is derived from the Gaelic word “braon,” which means “sorrow” or “misery.” It suggests that the original bearer of the surname likely had a sorrowful past.
Overall, the surname MacBrian has numerous variants. Spellings and surnames of the same origin include MacBraain, MacBrayne, MacBrain, MacBrayn, MacBryen, MacBraine, MacBractein, MacBrion, MacBraon, MacBrann, MacBryant, MacBryantt, and MacBrannan.
Famous people with the name MacBrian
- Peter MacBrian: Actor best known for appearances on the reality television series The Amazing Race
- Tony MacBrian: Former professional Canadian Football League player
- Mitchell MacBrian: Professional ice hockey player currently playing for the AHL’s San Jose Barracuda
- Josh MacBrian: Professional BMX rider
- Laura MacBrian: Award-winning writer and author of historical fiction
- Sean MacBrian: Award-winning actor, most famous for his roles in the films “The Lunch Club” and “My Side of the Sun”
- Joe MacBrian: Musician and former member of the rock band Black Velvet
- Allison MacBrian: Award-winning Canadian singer-songwriter
- Dan MacBrian: Professional racquetball player
- Steven MacBrian: Football defensive back who played for the Saskatchewan Rough Riders and the Edmonton Eskimos