O'Brien

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O'Brien is a common surname of Irish origin.

The name is Gaelic, and its original Irish language version is Ua Briain or Ó Briain, meaning 'descendant of Brian'. The Brian referred to is in most cases the ancient Irish king Brian Boru. This O'Brien family ruled over Munster after Brian Boru's death, and later supplied the rulers of Thomond until the area became incorporated into the English holdings in Ireland in the Tudor period (but see the de Clare family). The O'Brien rulers were then given the titles of Earl of Thomond and Baron Inchiquin, the latter of which survives today and is held by the descendants of the ancient rulers.

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People named O'Brien

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