The Brogan Clan

Origins and Ancient History

Today's Irish surnames are underpinned by a multitude of rich histories. The name Brogan originally appeared in Gaelic as O Brogain. The origin and meaning of the name is uncertain.

From Ireland have come many distinguished family names, which have greatly influenced world history, the arts, industry, commerce, literature, religion, theater, and the movies. And from this rich Irish heritage has come the Brogan surname.

The history of this great Irish sept Brogan is woven into the romantic green fabric of the chronicles of Ireland. Despite the loss of records caused by a fire in the Dublin Records Office in 1922, an irreparable disaster to Irish historians, sufficient evidence is still available to produce a thumbnail sketch of the Brogan history. Scholarly work, flavored by legend, including such books as those by O'Hart, McLysaght, O'Brien, and the Four Masters; as well as baptismals, parish records, and ancient land grants suggest that the family name Brogan 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. 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," but claiming general descent through the Heremon line of Irish Kings. Saint Brogan was an Irish saint who lived in the 6th or 7th century. He was possibly the nephew of Saint Patrick. Some people believe that were in fact more than one Saint Brogan.

Early History

The ancient Kings of Ireland were descended from King Milesius of Spain, the grandson of Breoghan (Brian), King of Galicia, Andalusia, Murcia, Castile and Portugal. Milesius, a great general/king, was instrumental in defending Egypt from the King of Ethiopia. Milesius turned his attention northward to Ireland to fulfill an ancient Druidic prophecy. He sent an army to explore this fertile island. On finding that his son had been murdered by the three resident Irish Kings (the Danans), Milesius gathered another army to take his revenge on the Irish. He died before he embarked on the trip. His remaining eight sons conquered Ireland

Heremon, eldest son of Milesius, reigned in Ireland for fourteen years, along with his brothers Heber, Ir, and Ithe. They named the land Scota or Scotia, their mother's name, the land of the Scots. This name would later be taken by the Irish King Colla in 357 when he was exiled to Scotland, leaving the name 'Ir-land', land of Ir, youngest of the four sons of Milesius, to the Emerald Isle. The four Irish kingdoms eventually broke into five separate nations under the High King, or Ard Righ. These royal lines would later produce such great kings as the 4th century King Niall of the Nine Hostages who died in France while cutting off the retreat of the Romans from Britain, and King Brian Boru who died in the Battle of Clontarf in 1014, finally expelling the Vikings from Dublin and Ireland. The great Gaelic family Brogan emerged in later years in County Mayo. The Brogans became an important force in the county of Mayo, persuading by words rather than the sword. They were a scholarly family and held many positions of learning both within and outside of the Church. However, they never lost sight of their heritage from King Niall of the Nine Hostages, the greatest General/King in Irish history. By the 15th century they had moved to Scotland where they acquired territories in the parish of Slains in Aberdeenshire. Today "Brogan" is also a term applied to any heavy, ankle-high shoe or boot. The term dates back to the when the boot was worn by a soldier in the American Revolutionary War and the American Civil War. How the footwear came by this name is unclear.

The Great Migration

During the 12th century, 1172 A.D., Dermott McMurrough, in his fight for the position of Ard Righ, requested King Henry II of England for assistance. This was the first intrusion into Ireland of the Anglo/Normans. Many native Irish families lost their lands and possessions. This was followed by Cromwell's invasion in 1640, when further loss of land befell the unfortunate Irish people. Ulster in the north was seeded with Protestant Scottish and English. And, again many Irish families lost their ancient territories. In 1845, the Great Potato Famine caused widespread misery and poverty, and the exodus from Ireland began. Within fifty years the population was reduced to less than half. Many Irish joined the armada of sailing ships sailing from Belfast, Dublin, Cork, Holyhead, Liverpool and Glasgow, destined for the New World, but some to left for Australia. Promoters of the time called these ships the White Sails, others, more realistically, called them the "Coffin Ships," as 30 percent to 40 percent of the passengers died of cholera, small pox and the elements.

History of the Brogan Family

Brogan Clan

Origins and Ancient History

History of the Brogan Clan

Early History

The Great Migration

Settlers

Current Notables

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