The name ‘Bryan’ originates from England. It is derived from the Celtic personal name ‘Brian’, which apparently contains the element ‘bre-‘ meaning hill, probably the transfered sense ’eminence’. Breton bearers of this name were amongst the Normans who invaded England in 1066, and they went on to invade and settle in Ireland in the 12th century, where the name mingled with a native Irish version of it, borne in particular by one of the greatest of Irish septs, descendants of ‘Brian Boru’, who rose to the high kingship of Ireland in 1002.. This native Irish name had also been borrowed by Vikings, who introduced it independantly in North West England before the Norman Conquest. Variant’s: ‘Brian’, ‘Brien’, ‘Bryant’, ‘Briant’. The exact period of settlement in North America has not been definately determined but Information extracted from Public and Civil registry archive’s confirm that one of the first settlers was a certain ‘Edward Bryan’, aged 22, from the city of London, England, emigrated to North America in 1685. He was sixth in descent from ‘Sir Francis Bryan’ who was created a Knight Banneret on…
Coat of arms: Or, Two l…