A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Brien family of Ireland.
Reg. 3490 · Irish, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“Sa. three fleurs-de-lis or”
Irelandc. 1645
Where the Brien Arms Were Recorded
Dublin
Map of Ireland showing where the Brien arms are recorded
The Brien arms were recorded in Ireland, c. 1645.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Dublin.
Dublin was the seat of government in Ireland and the place where grants were sought and recorded. Families with business at the castle or the courts settled nearby, and settling there put their arms on record.
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 Brien 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 Ireland.
Origin & History of the Brien Family in Ireland
The surname Brien is a variation of the ancient Gaelic name O’Brien, which translates to descendant of Brian. The original Brian was a famous High King of Ireland who ruled during the eleventh century. By the time members of the family were documented living in Dublin in 1645, the name had already spread far beyond its ancestral home in County Clare. During the seventeenth century, families in Dublin often faced significant political upheaval and social change. Living in the capital city during this period meant that the Brien family likely participated in the busy trade and legal life of a growing urban center. As the name evolved over generations, it became a common fixture in Irish records, reflecting a long history of migration and adaptation within the country.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Brian
Derived from the Proto-Celtic word for high or noble.
This name
BrienRefers to a descendant of the noble or high-born leader.
also spelled
Bryan
Bryen
Brian
Related arms
Bryanvariant spelling
Bryenvariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
O’Brien, Conor. O'Brien of Thomond: The Thomond Dynasty. 1986
MacLysaght, Edward. The Surnames of Ireland. 1985
National Archives of Ireland, Civil Survey of the County of Dublin. 1654
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
