Show ContentsBrison History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Brison

What does the name Brison mean?

The surname Brison and its variants are phonetic interpretations of the Irish name Ó Muirgheasain. 1 Over time, many of this name became known by the name Morrison; however the modern translation this Gaelic name is generally Bryson, and sometimes in County Mayo, Price. There is also an English surname Bryson, and no doubt some of them have emigrated to Ireland over the centuries.

Early Origins of the Brison family

The surname Brison was first found in Ulster (Irish: Ulaidh), in Counties Donegal and Derry, where it was first documented as Mrieson and other similar variants in the 17th century. O'Morison was listed in 1606 in County Donegal, as well as O'Mrisane in 1659, which was considered a principal name of the county by the census of that year. In the Diocese of Derry, Bishop Montgomery called the erenagh of Clonmany in Inishowen, Donatus O'Morison. 1

Early History of the Brison family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Brison research. More information is included under the topic Early Brison History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Brison Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Bryson, Briceson, Mrieson, O'Mrisane, O'Morison, Morison and many more.

Early Notables of the Brison family

More information is included under the topic Early Brison Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Brison migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Brison Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • John Brison, who arrived in New England in 1753 2
Brison Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Pedro Brison, who landed in Puerto Rico in 1816 2
  • James Brison, who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1851
  • John Brison, who arrived in Philadelphia in 1864

Contemporary Notables of the name Brison (post 1700) +

  • Marshall Brison, American politician, Workers World Candidate for Presidential Elector for Michigan, 1980 3
  • Scott Brison, Canadian federal politician, Treasury Board President (2015-)
  • Brison A. Manor Jr (1952-2023), American NFL football defensive end who played eight seasons for the Denver Broncos, from 1977 to 1984, before appearing in six games with Tampa Bay Buccaneers, later in 1984


  1. MacLysaght, Edward, The Surnames of Ireland. Ireland: Irish Academic Press, sixth edition, 1985. Print. (ISBN 0-7165-2366-3)
  2. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
  3. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, December 11) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html


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