| ![Show Contents]() Broken History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
Ireland
Etymology of BrokenWhat does the name Broken mean? Today's Irish surnames are underpinned by a multitude of rich histories. The name Broken originally appeared in Gaelic as Ó Brogain. 1 Broccán Clóen (Saint Brogan) was an Irish cleric who lived in the sixth or seventh century. Various spellings were used to denote him including: Brogan, Broccan, Bracan, Bearchan and Bearchanus. Saint Broccán of Rosstuirc (of 17 September), is believed to be the author of the hymn to Saint Brigid. He was possibly the nephew of Saint Patrick. Some people believe that were in fact more than one Saint Brogan. Early Origins of the Broken familyThe surname Broken was first found in counties Mayo and Sligo (Irish: Sligeach), in the province of Connacht in Northwestern Ireland, in north Connacht where they had been a part of the ancient Ui Fiachrach since before recorded history. 2 They were of the Ui Fiachrach Muaidhe, or northern branch, descended from a chieftain, O'Brogain, which, translated literally, means descendant "of the young sorrowful one." Brocan was a younger brother of Lughaidh, ancestor of O'Duana, anglicized Downs, Duane, Devan and Dwaine was the progenitor of the family. Brocan, a quo O'Brocain, or Brogan in English, literally meant "little badger." 3 As is often the case, Gaelic translations into English can have multiple meanings. Early History of the Broken familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Broken research. Another 126 words (9 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Broken History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Broken Spelling VariationsThose scribes in Ireland during the Middle Ages recorded names as they sounded. Consequently, in this era many people were recorded under different spellings each time their name was written down. Research on the Broken family name revealed numerous spelling variations, including Brogan, Brogin, Brogon, O'Brogan, Brogen, Brochain and many more. Early Notables of the Broken familyMore information is included under the topic Early Broken Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Broken familyThousands of Irish families left for North American shores in the 19th century. These people were searching for a life unencumbered with poverty, hunger, and racial discrimination. Many arrived to eventually find such conditions, but many others simply did not arrive: victims of the diseased, overcrowded ships in which they traveled to the New World. Those who lived to see North American shores were instrumental in the development of the growing nations of Canada and the United States. A thorough examination of passenger and immigration lists has disclosed evidence of many early immigrants of the name Broken: Thomas Brogan, who came to Pennsylvania in 1773; Patrick Brogan, who came to New York, NY in 1815; William Brogan, who arrived in Philadelphia in 1818.
- MacLysaght, Edward, The Surnames of Ireland. Ireland: Irish Academic Press, sixth edition, 1985. Print. (ISBN 0-7165-2366-3)
- MacLysaght, Edward, More Irish Families. Dublin: Irish Academic Press, 1982. Print. (ISBN 0-7165-0126-0)
- O'Hart, John, Irish Pedigrees 5th Edition in 2 Volumes. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Company, 1976. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0737-4)
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