Summary

The surname OBRIEN is of Irish origin and is derived from the Gaelic name Ó Briain, meaning 'descendant of Brian'. The name has a rich history and is associated with prominent families in Ireland.
There are
118557
Obriens in the USA
Obrien is the
258th
most common last name in the USA

Historical figures and celebrities called Obrien

ConanO'Brien

Conan O'Brien is an American television host, comedian, writer, and producer. He is best known for hosting the late-night talk show 'Late Night with Conan O'Brien' and 'Conan.'

DylanO'Brien

Dylan O'Brien is an American actor known for his role as Stiles Stilinski in the television series 'Teen Wolf' and for his roles in films such as 'The Maze Runner' trilogy.

EdnaO'Brien

Edna O'Brien is an Irish novelist, playwright, and short story writer. She is known for her works that often explore themes of Irish society and women's experiences.

PatriciaO'Brien

Patricia O'Brien is an American author and journalist. She has written several non-fiction books and worked as a foreign correspondent for The New York Times.

FrankO'Brien

Frank O'Brien is a British historian and author. He is known for his works on naval history, particularly his books on World War II submarines and naval warfare.

DenisO'Brien

Denis O'Brien is an Irish businessman and founder of the multinational telecommunications company Digicel. He is one of Ireland's wealthiest individuals.

MikeO'Brien

Mike O'Brien is a British comedy writer and performer. He is known for his work on the television series 'The IT Crowd' and 'Saturday Night Live.'

AmyO'Brien

Amy O'Brien is an American professional jockey. She has had a successful career in horse racing, winning multiple races and championships.

PeterO'Brien

Peter O'Brien is an Australian actor known for his roles in films such as 'Gallipoli' and television shows like 'Neighbours' and 'X-Men Origins: Wolverine.'

BarbaraO'Brien

Barbara O'Brien is an American photographer and author. She is known for her landscape and nature photography, as well as her instructional books on photography.

Obrien Genealogy

OriginsThe surname O'Brien is of Irish origin. It is an anglicized form of the Irish Gaelic surname Ó Briain, meaning 'descendant of Brian.' The name Brian comes from the Old Irish word 'brígh,' meaning 'hill' or 'high.' The O'Brien family is historically associated with County Clare and was prominent in Irish history and politics.
Geographic DistributionThe surname O'Brien is primarily found in Ireland, with significant concentrations in County Clare and other parts of Munster. It is also found among Irish diaspora communities in countries such as the United States, Canada, and Australia.
VariationsVariations of the name O'Brien include O'Bryan, O'Briant, O'Brion, and O'Briant.
Migration and ImmigrationThe O'Brien name has been carried by Irish immigrants to various countries, particularly during periods of mass emigration from Ireland, such as the Great Famine in the mid-19th century. Many O'Briens settled in the United States, Canada, and other English-speaking countries.