Show ContentsBrannelly Surname History

Etymology of Brannelly

What does the name Brannelly mean?

The surname Brannelly comes from the Irish surname Ó Branghaile from "branghal" meaning "raven valour." 1

Early Origins of the Brannelly family

The surname Brannelly was first found in East Galway (Irish: Gaillimh) part of the province of Connacht, located on the west coast of the Island, the region to which the name is exclusive.

Early History of the Brannelly family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Brannelly research. Another 47 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Brannelly History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Brannelly Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Branelly, Brannelly, Branley, O'Brannelly and others.

Early Notables of the Brannelly family

Notable among the family name at this time was

  • the Brannelly family of Galway

Migration of the Brannelly family

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: Margaret Branley, who landed in New York in 1816; Catherine Branley, who arrived in St. John, New Brunswick in 1833; and John, Ann and William Branley, who were recorded in St. John, New Brunswick in 1847. Mathew Branley was naturalized in Indiana in 1852.


Contemporary Notables of the name Brannelly (post 1700) +

  • Paul Brannelly, New Zealand, cartoonist
  • Joe Brannelly, English jazz guitarist


  1. MacLysaght, Edward, The Surnames of Ireland. Ireland: Irish Academic Press, sixth edition, 1985. Print. (ISBN 0-7165-2366-3)


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