Brannon History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Many variations of the name Brannon have evolved since the time of its initial creation. In Gaelic it appeared as “O Braondin,” from the word “braon,” which has several meanings, possibly meaning “sorrow” in this case.

Saint Brendan or Brenainn (490?-573), of Birr, “which was so called from the abundance of wells there (birr, birra, water), now Parsonstown, in the King’s County. He was son of Neman, a poet, and Mansenna, and belonged to the race of Corb Aulam, great-grandson of Rudhraighe, from whom were the Clanna Rudhraighe. ” [1]

Another Saint Brendan or Brenainn (484-577), of Clonfert, was born in 484, at Littus li, or Stagnum li, now Tralee, co. Kerry. “He is termed son of Finnloga, to distinguish him from his contemporary, St. Brendan of Birr. ” [1]

Early Origins of the Brannon family

The surname Brannon was first found in County Kilkenny (Irish: Cill Chainnigh), the former Kingdom of Osraige (Ossory), located in Southeastern Ireland in the province of Leinster, where the family claim descent from Braonan, an Irish Prince, brother of Ceallach, 17th King of Ossory. Braonan later became the King of Ossory, and also King of the Danes of Dublin, and was known as the Prince of Idough. His son, Conglach, in a dispute over the throne of Ossory, was killed near Three Castles, County Kilkenny. 

At this point in time, the Brennans were in conflict with Brian Boru (1014), and most historians believe that the family was on the wrong side as allies of the Danish King. After Clontarf, they retained only the principality of Idough, but Anne, daughter of Guidhelgedh, three generations later, married the King of Ossory (Donogh), and the title was still extant even after the Anglo Norman invasion of 1172.

Early History of the Brannon family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Brannon research.

Brannon Spelling Variations

Pronunciation, rather than spelling, guided scribes and church officials when recording names during the Middle Ages. This practice often resulted in one person’s name being recorded under several different spellings. Numerous spelling variations of the surname Brannon are preserved in these old documents. The various spellings of the name that were found include Brennan, McBrennan, Brannon, Brannan, Brannen, Brannin, Brennyn, Brannyn, MacBrennan, Brenan, Branon, Branan, Branen and many more.

Early Notables of the Brannon family (pre 1700)

Notable among the family name at this time was Sir Art O’Brennan of Castlecomer Castle; Most Rev. John Brennan (1625-1693), Bishop of Waterford and Archbishop of Cashel; John Brennan (1768-1830).

Brannon Ranking

In the United States, the name Brannon is the 2,152^nd most popular surname with an estimated 14,922 people with that name. [2]

 Brannon migration to the United States +

A massive amount of Ireland’s native population left the island in the 19th century for North America and Australia in hopes of finding more opportunities and an escape from discrimination and oppression. A great portion of these migrants arrived on the eastern shores of the North American continent. Although they were generally poor and destitute, and, therefore, again discriminated against, these Irish people were heartily welcomed for the hard labor involved in the construction of railroads, canals, roadways, and buildings. Many others were put to work in the newly established factories or agricultural projects that were so essential to the development of what would become two of the wealthiest nations in the world. The Great Potato Famine during the late 1840s initiated the largest wave of Iris immigration. Early North American immigration and passenger lists have revealed a number of people bearing the name Brannon or a variant listed above: 

Brannon Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

• Patrick Brannon, who landed in America in 1795 [3]
• Michael Brannon, who arrived in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1799 [3]

Brannon Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

• Christopher Brannon, who arrived in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1807 [3]
• Henry Brannon, aged 27, who arrived in New York in 1812-1813 [3]
• Honors Brannon, who landed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1812 [3]
• John Brannon, aged 18, who arrived in New York in 1812 [3]
• Margaret Brannon, who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1812 [3]

 Brannon migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were: 

Brannon Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

• John Brannon, aged 30, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1834 aboard the brig “Trafalgar” from Galway, Ireland

 Brannon migration to Australia+

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include: 

Brannon Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

• Miss Susan Brannon, (Brennan), (b. 1821), aged 16, Irish convict who was convicted in Londonderry, Ireland for 7 years for vagrancy, transported aboard the “Diamond” on 29th November 1837, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, she died in 1874 [4]
• Mr. James Brannon, (b. 1821), aged 22, Irish stable boy who was convicted in Roscommon, Ireland for 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the “Constant” on 9th May 1843, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen’s Land) [5]

Contemporary Notables of the name Brannon (post 1700) +

• Charles E. Brannon (1919-1942), American sailor killed in action, recipient of the Navy Cross, eponym of Charles E. Brannon (DE-446)
• Humphrey “Teddy” Brannon (1916-1989), American jazz and blues pianist
• Chad Brannon (b. 1979), American actor, best known for his role on General Hospital
• Ash Brannon (b. 1969), American animator, writer and director
• Fred C. Brannon (1901-1953), American film director of the 1940s and 1950s
• John Brannon, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Virginia, 1860 [6]
• Henry Brannon (1837-1914), American politician, Member of West Virginia State House of Delegates, 1870-71; Circuit Judge in West Virginia, 1881; Judge of West Virginia supreme court of appeals, 1889-1912 [6]
• Hazel Brannon, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Mississippi, 1940, 1944 [6]
• Eleanor D. Brannon, American politician, Candidate for New York State Assembly from New York County 15th District, 1932, 1933 [6]
• Earl Brannon (1895-1969), American Republican politician, Delegate to Republican National Convention from Illinois, 1932 [6]