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Brian
Brian ♂ Of Irish origin: perhaps from an Old Celtic word meaning ‘high’ or ‘noble’. The name has been perennially popular in Ireland, in particular on account of the fame of Brian Boru (Gaelic Brian Bóroimhe) (c. 940–1014), a warrior who was credited with driving the Vikings from Ireland and who eventually became high king of Ireland. In the Middle Ages it was relatively common in East Anglia, where it was introduced by Breton settlers, and in northern England, where it was introduced by Scandinavians from Ireland. It was quite popular in Yorkshire in the early 16th century, largely because it had long been a family name among the Stapletons, who had Irish connections. They first used it after Sir Gilbert Stapleton married Agnes, the daughter of the great northern baron Sir Brian fitzAlan. In Gaelic Scotland it was at first borne exclusively by members of certain professional families of Irish origin.
Variant: Bryan. |
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Cite this article
PATRICK HANKS, KATE HARDCASTLE, and FLAVIA HODGES. "Brian." A Dictionary of First Names. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. 28 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. PATRICK HANKS, KATE HARDCASTLE, and FLAVIA HODGES. "Brian." A Dictionary of First Names. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. (May 28, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O41-Brian.html PATRICK HANKS, KATE HARDCASTLE, and FLAVIA HODGES. "Brian." A Dictionary of First Names. 2006. Retrieved May 28, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O41-Brian.html |
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Brian
Brian
1. A god of the Tuatha Dé Danann, the first of the three sons, with Iuchair and Iucharba, of Tuireann, whose story is told in Oidheadh Chlainne Tuireann [The Tragic Story of the Children of Tuireann]. Brian and his brothers kill Cian, father of Lug Lámfhota, for which they are punished by being sent on a quest for eight items that become the treasures of the Tuatha Dé Danann. Brian is later killed by Lug on the Isle of Man. 2. Eldest son of Eochaid Mugmedón and Mongfhind in Echtra Mac nEchach Muigmedóin [The Adventure of the Sons of Eochaid Mugmedón]. |
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Cite this article
JAMES MacKILLOP. "Brian." A Dictionary of Celtic Mythology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 28 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. JAMES MacKILLOP. "Brian." A Dictionary of Celtic Mythology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. (May 28, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O70-Brian1.html JAMES MacKILLOP. "Brian." A Dictionary of Celtic Mythology. 2004. Retrieved May 28, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O70-Brian1.html |
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Brian
Brian, Bríon. A name known both in Ireland, where it has been very popular, and also in Britain, where it was introduced from Brittany. The origin of the name is disputed but may be linked to the Brennus/Brenos cited in battle by Celtic raiders in the Mediterranean in late Roman times. The best-known Brian, from whom the O'Briens [Ir. Uí Bhriain] take their name, is Brian Bórama or Boru.
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Cite this article
JAMES MacKILLOP. "Brian." A Dictionary of Celtic Mythology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 28 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. JAMES MacKILLOP. "Brian." A Dictionary of Celtic Mythology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. (May 28, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O70-Brian.html JAMES MacKILLOP. "Brian." A Dictionary of Celtic Mythology. 2004. Retrieved May 28, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O70-Brian.html |
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Brian
Brian ♂ (Irish) Perhaps from an Old Celtic word meaning ‘high’ or ‘noble’.
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Cite this article
PATRICK HANKS, KATE HARDCASTLE, and FLAVIA HODGES. "Brian." A Dictionary of First Names. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. 28 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. PATRICK HANKS, KATE HARDCASTLE, and FLAVIA HODGES. "Brian." A Dictionary of First Names. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. (May 28, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O41-Brian1.html PATRICK HANKS, KATE HARDCASTLE, and FLAVIA HODGES. "Brian." A Dictionary of First Names. 2006. Retrieved May 28, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O41-Brian1.html |
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Brian
Brian
•Brian, cyan, Gaian, Geminian, Hawaiian, ion, iron, Ixion, lion, Lyon, Mayan, Narayan, O'Brien, Orion, Paraguayan, prion, Ryan, scion, Uruguayan, Zion
•andiron
•gridiron, midiron
•dandelion • anion • Bruneian
•cation, flatiron
•gowan, Palawan, rowen
•anthozoan, bryozoan, Goan, hydrozoan, Minoan, protozoan, protozoon, rowan, Samoan, spermatozoon
•Ohioan • Chicagoan • Virgoan
•Idahoan
•doyen, Illinoisan, Iroquoian
•Ewan, Labuan, McEwan, McLuhan, Siouan
•Saskatchewan • Papuan • Paduan
•Nicaraguan • gargantuan
•carbon, chlorofluorocarbon, graben, hydrocarbon, Laban, radiocarbon
•ebon • Melbourne • Theban
•gibbon, ribbon
•Brisbane, Lisbon
•Tyburn
•auburn, Bourbon
•Alban • Manitoban • Cuban
•stubborn
•Durban, exurban, suburban, turban, urban
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Cite this article
"Brian." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. 28 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "Brian." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. (May 28, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-Brian.html "Brian." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Retrieved May 28, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-Brian.html |
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