A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the O'Brien family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 9241 · French, M–O
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
lionCourage, strength and royalty
arms pheon arrowheadReadiness for battle, and the broad arrow of the sovereign
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Ec.: aux 1 et 4 de gu. à trois léopards partis d'or et d'arg., l'un sur l'autre (O'Bryen); au 2 d'arg. à trois piles de gu., dirigées vers la p.; au 3 d'or à un phéon d'azur. C.: un bras, arm. au nat., la main de carn. brandissant une épée d'arg., garnie d'or. S.: deux léopards lionnés coupés d'or sur arg. D.: VIGUEUR DE DESSUS.”
Francec. 1686
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Map of France showing where the O'Brien arms are recorded
The O'Brien arms were recorded in France, c. 1686.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Bretagne.
More families held coats of arms in Bretagne than anywhere else in France. The land was divided into many small estates rather than a few large ones, so far more households counted as gentry, and each needed a shield of its own to be told apart.
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 France in this period.
Louis XIV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XIV of France
1643–1715
Reigning in France when the O'Brien arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in France
In France, a coat of arms was a mark of honor that passed down through the male line to all legitimate descendants. Families often used the same shield without changes to show their shared heritage. If a branch wanted to stand out, they could add a small mark to their shield to show their specific place in the family tree.
Granting authority
The Juge d'armes de France acted as the official authority that regulated and verified coats of arms across the country.
How they got arms
Families typically inherited their arms from ancestors, though they could also receive them through royal grants or by proving their noble status.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms were officially recorded in the Armorial Général de France, which began its main collection in the year 1696.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of France.
Origin & History of the O'Brien Family in France
The history of the O'Brien family in France is deeply tied to the political instability of the seventeenth century. Following the collapse of the Stuart cause in the British Isles, many Irish families sought refuge in continental Europe to escape religious and political persecution. By 1686, members of the O'Brien family were well-established in the region of Brittany. They integrated into the local society by serving as officers in the French military and forming alliances with the regional nobility. This migration was not merely a search for safety but a strategic move to maintain their status and influence while in exile. Their presence in Brittany allowed them to preserve their cultural identity while adapting to the customs and language of their new home. Over time, these families became a respected part of the French social fabric, often acting as a bridge between their Irish heritage and their adopted nation.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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. three lions pass. guard. in pale per pale or and ar”
IrelandMunster, c. 1645
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Map of Ireland showing where the O'Brien arms are recorded
The O'Brien arms were recorded in Munster, c. 1645.
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 France when the O'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 O'Brien Family in Ireland
The O’Brien name is deeply rooted in the history of the province of Munster, where the family established itself as one of the most powerful dynasties in medieval Ireland. The name originates from the Irish Gaelic *Ó Briain*, which means descendant of Brian. This refers to Brian Boru, the famous High King of Ireland who reigned in the early eleventh century. By the time the family was firmly established in Munster during the mid-seventeenth century, they had already spent hundreds of years acting as kings and regional leaders. Their influence was tied to the land and the complex social structures of Gaelic Ireland, where the O’Briens maintained authority over large territories. Even as political changes reshaped the country leading up to 1645, the family remained a central part of the social and historical landscape of the region.
O'Brien Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Brian
Derived from the Proto-Celtic word for high or noble.
This name
O'BrienDescendant of the high or noble one, originating from Irish Gaelic royalty.
also spelled
O'Bryan
Obryen
Obryin
Obryon
Related arms
Feversham, Baronsame arms
Arraghsimilar arms
O'Mearasimilar arms
Carrrecorded with O'Brien, same area
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
O'Callaghan, John Cornelius. History of the Irish Brigades in the Service of France. 1870
Murphy, John A. The Irish in Europe, 1600–1800. 1989
Hayes, Richard. Biographical Dictionary of Irishmen in France. 1949
Archives Départementales d'Ille-et-Vilaine, Série E (Familles et seigneuries)
Service Historique de la Défense, Série Y (Dossiers individuels des officiers)
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
lionCourage, strength and royalty
arms pheon arrowheadReadiness for battle, and the broad arrow of the sovereign
lionCourage, strength and royalty
arms pheon arrowheadReadiness for battle, and the broad arrow of the sovereign
