A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Brenan family of Ireland.
Reg. 8678 · Irish, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
lionCourage, strength and royalty
swordJustice, and military honour
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Gu. two lions ramp. combatant supporting a garb or, in chief two swords in saltier, and one in fesse ppr”
KilkennyCloneen · Kilkenny, c. 1645
Where the Brenan Arms Were Recorded
Kilkenny
Map of Ireland showing where the Brenan arms are recorded
The Brenan arms were recorded in Kilkenny, c. 1645.
Kilkenny was rich farming country in south-eastern Ireland, held by Norman families who settled early and stayed. Long holding of good land is exactly what puts a name into the heraldic records.
This is where the arms were entered in the register. Families often moved to other parts of the country, so the same name can turn up in more than one region.
The body that granted and recorded arms in Ireland in this period.
Charles I of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles I of England
1625–1649
Reigning in Ireland when the Brenan arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Ireland
The Ulster King of Arms granted coats of arms to individuals who proved their social standing and good character. These symbols were typically inherited by all legitimate descendants of the original holder. If a family branch wanted a unique look, they could apply for a specific change to their design through the office to ensure their identity remained distinct.
Granting authority
The Ulster King of Arms acted as the official body that regulated and issued all coats of arms throughout Ireland.
How they got arms
Families obtained their arms through formal grants issued by the office after proving their eligibility and paying the required fees.
Where arms were recorded
All official grants were recorded in the registers held by the Ulster King of Arms starting from the year 1552.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Kilkenny.
Origin & History of the Brenan Family in Ireland
The family name Brenan is an anglicized version of the Gaelic Irish name Ó Braonáin, which translates to descendant of Braonán. The name itself is derived from the word braon, meaning moisture or a drop, and it was often used as a descriptive term for someone with a sorrowful or tearful appearance. By the mid-seventeenth century, the family had established a significant presence in County Kilkenny, particularly within the barony of Gowran. During this period, the Brenans were recognized as a prominent sept within the Kingdom of Ossory. They maintained strong ties to the local landscape and were deeply integrated into the social and political fabric of the region long before the turbulent events of 1645. As landowners and community leaders, they navigated the shifting power dynamics of the era while preserving their distinct cultural identity in the heart of Ireland.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Braon
A drop or tear of moisture.
This name
BrenanDescendant of the sorrowful one or descendant of the rain.
also spelled
Brennen
Related arms
Breanan, or O'Breanonvariant spelling
Brenon, or O'Brenonvariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Woulfe, Patrick. Sloinnte Gaedheal is Gall: Irish Names and Surnames. 1923
Carrigan, William. The History and Antiquities of the Diocese of Ossory. 1905
National Archives of Ireland. Civil Survey of the County of Kilkenny. 1654–1656
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
lionCourage, strength and royalty
swordJustice, and military honour
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
lionCourage, strength and royalty
swordJustice, and military honour
