The surname is still well represented in these two counties and is also one of the legendary 'Tribes of Galway'.The Galway Brownes (Lords Oranmore) are descendants of a 12th Century Anglo-Norman invader called "Le Brun", while the Brownes of Killarney (Lords Kenmare) are descended from an Elizabethan settler. It dates back to the 7th century in England.

For those of you wondering which Irish family names are most-popular today, your wait is finally over! 14-Day Free Trial. Also occasionally spelled Donne. Surname Origin: English, Scottish, Irish Alternate Surname Spellings: Browne, Braun, Broun, Breun, Bruun, Bruan, Brun, Bruene, Brohn He had a music career that spanned six decades with I Feel Good, The Payback and Papa’s Got a Brand New Bag among his most famous songs.Dan Brown is an American author, who wrote The Da Vinci Code, which went on to sell millions of copies worldwide before being made into a Hollywood blockbuster starring Tom Hanks.The name is also used by writers for the main characters of their stories on numerous occasions.Some fictional Browns that have become household names over the years are Charlie Brown, who is the main character of the Peanuts series of cartoons, although Charlie’s pet dog Snoopy is possibly the more recognisable name worldwide.Dr Emmett Brown, played by Christopher Lloyd, was the name of the eccentric scientist who helped Marty McFly travel back and forth across time to repeatedly save his family in the cult trilogy of Back to the Future movies.Mrs Brown is the name of the traditional yet foul mouthed Irish woman played by comedic actor Brendan O’Carroll in the hit BBC sitcom Mrs Brown’ Boys.Irish genealogy-Catholic parish registers available onlineIrish warned of blood condition known as the ‘Celtic Curse’Ed Sheeran sings his global hit Thinking Out Loud in IrishEvery Irish Wedding Ever – hilarious video from RTÉThe History of Ireland in just Six Minutes – great video from Irish teacherIf Irish weather forecasters were a bit more honestTwo Irishmen meet by chance and play most amazing piano duet you’ve ever heard

Brown Family History. Dunne is the most common surname in Laois, where the family originated. This surname is common in both England and Ireland, but the variant surname 'Browne' is associated more with Ireland.

Back to Irish surnames. From the Irish for brown (donn), the original Irish name Ó Duinn has by now lost the O prefix. The surname Brown was first found in County Galway.

Interesting early recordings of the surname include Anthony Browne, the 1st Lord Montague (1526 - 1592). These include Gaelic Irish, Cambro-Norman, and Anglo-Irish last names. The Browne family arrived in Ireland in 1170 in Strongbow's time, and were soon established in Galway and Mayo. Today, there are many different variations of Irish surnames, but most commonly, they can be divided into three categories.

Originating from the Olde English, Norse-Viking and Anglo-Saxon pre 7th century word "brun" it generally referred … Brown Name Meaning. The name Brown or Browne is one of the most common names in Ireland and in the UK and America.

However, many of the family remained in Normandy where Gilbert and William le Brun were listed in 1185 according to the Magni Rotuli Scaccarii Normanniae . Originating from the Olde English, Norse-Viking and Anglo-Saxon pre 7th century word "brun" it generally referred to the colour of the person's hair, complexion or garments. It is one of the most common surnames in English-speaking countries. As the Normans invaded and gained control of much of Ireland, many of them settled.The Le Bruns married into several powerful families across Galway and Mayo, and joined the ‘14 Tribes of Galway’, an alliance that controlled the political and trade links.Over time the family name spread throughout Ireland and the pronunciation evolved into Brown or Browne.Throughout history, thousands of Browns have emigrated from Ireland to find a better life around the world, most notably during the great famine in the 1800s.One of the first Europeans to settle in America, was named Edward Browne, who was actually from London, but moved to Virginia in the 17th century.As the name Brown has such popularity around the world, there are literally hundreds of notable people named Brown in almost every field.One of the most famous is James Brown, the soul singer who is often referred to as the Godfather of Soul.
In the province of Ulster, the final e is omitted. It is the second most common surname in Canada and Scotland, third most common in Australia and United Kingdom and fourth most common in England and the United States. Browne is now the 5th most common surname in England and the first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of William le Brun, dated 1169, in the Northumberland county pipe rolls. GET STARTED.

Amongst the very earliest of settlers to the new colonies of America was Edward Browne, who emigrated from London to Virginia in September 1635.

The Irish Brown families are most commonly found in the province of Connacht (specifically Galway and Mayo), as well as Kerry.Browne, Braun, Broun, Bruen, Bruun, Bruan, Brun, Bruene, BrohnLeave a message on our Facebook page if you're researching this surname

Hugh le Brun married Isabel, the widow of King John, and their son, William de Valence was created Earl of Pembroke. Brown is the 4th most popular surname in the United States, the 5th most common in England, and the 4th most common last name in Australia.The variant surname, Browne, is also common in England and Ireland. Brown is an English-language surname in origin chiefly descriptive of a person with brown hair, complexion or clothing.

The name Brown or Browne is one of the most common names in Ireland and in the UK and America.It dates back to the 7th century in England.


It comes from an old Anglo-Norman word ‘brun’, which referred to the colour of a person’s hair, skin or clothes.It first arrived in Ireland in 1170, at the time of Strongbow’s rule. English, Scottish, and Irish: generally a nickname referring to the color of the hair or complexion, Middle English br(o)un, from Old English brun or Old French brun.

Irish Surname - Brown or Browne This surname is common in both England and Ireland, but the variant surname 'Browne' is associated more with Ireland.