John BRADY
1806 - DECEASED
Brady
Name Meaning
What's in a Name? BRADY (Ireland) Evidence of settlement and occupation of Ireland can be shown to exist since 6000BC. Evidence shows the first settlers were Mesolithic hunters. About 795AD the Norsemen began invading Irish villages and towns during these invasions they seized and fortified the ports of Dublin and Annagassan in 838AD. The Norsemen were expelled by Aed Finnliath King of Ireland between 862-879AD. The surname Brady when found in Ireland is of family origin. Surnames, also designated as family names, or alternatively a last name, were added to a given, or baptismal name. This name was in many cases inherited and held collectively by members of a family group. Initially surnames indentified one by connection to a family member, foremost being the father. The Irish and Scottish prefix `Mac' means `son of'. In this case the name is an Anglicisation of the Gaelic MacBradaigh. The MacBradys were a powerful sept belonging to Breffny, the chief holding sway over a territory lying a few kilometres east of Cavan town. The surname Brady derives from the Irish "MacBradaigh", coming possibly from the "bracach" meaning thieving or dishonest. The Mac Bradys were a prominent clan in Breifne. They held jurisdiction over territory to the east of Cavan town. The name Brady is very common in Cavan today with large numbers also in the adjoining Co. Monaghan. There are also a number of Brady families in East Clare but these originated from the "O'Grady" family who changed their name to the more English sounding Brady at the time of Henry VIII. In the 18th century three MacBradys distinguished themselves as Gaelic poets. They were Fiachra MacBrady , Rev. Philip MacBrady (d. 1719) and Phelim Brady, usually referred to as "bold Phelim Brady the bard of Armagh". Gilbert MacBrady was Bishop of Ardagh from 1396 to 1400 and there were three MacBrady bishops of Kilmore in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. The Irish surname Brady is an anglicized rendering of the Gaelic personal name MacBradaigh, meaning son of Bradach, which is possibly derived from the Old Irish term "bradach" meaning "spirited". The name would have been used to describe one with a particularly vivacious and fiery temperament. The Bradys were a powerful sept of Breffny and they controlled lands lying just a few miles east of Cavan town. source Historical Research Center It reflects a practice found in many cultures the use of the "patronymic." Last names originated in the Middle Ages when men, who embodied the continuity of the family, started to be identified by their relationship to their immediate ancestors. The son of David, for example, might take the name Davidson. The Scots used "Mac," which meant "the son of," for this purpose. And so with the Irish and the "O'," except here it meant "the grandson of, " possibly because one of the first to use it, Teigue, grandson of Brian, High-King of the Irish in the 11th century, started to call himself Ua Briain (Gaelic for O'Brian) after his famous grandfather. (Source ENCYCLOPEDIA BRITANNICA) O'Brady or MacBrady would fall into these catigories. The Brady/O'Grady and Grady who ran with the O'Briens in County Clare would also follow this tradition. You might also note that not all the Brady line were from Grady. Co. Cavan Brady line was orginally O'Reily until they had a falling out. In Galic Brady translate to thief.
Investigations of the surname Brady or a variant show that it appears in Irish documents from at least the 14th century when records show that Gilbert MacBrady was Bishop of Ardagh from 1396-1400. Later references include Andrew MacBrady who in 1454 was first bishop of Kilmore to provide a cathedral church for the diocese. Records of the surname also indicate there were early bearers who became instrumental in influencing the development and direction of their country and held positions of power and authority during their lifetimes which enabled them to hold sway in the decision making process in events of national importance. Among these was Fiachra MacBrady (fl. 1710) and Philip MacBrady who died in 1719, who were both Gaelic poets. Also, Thomas Brady (1752-1827), a farmer's son from Cootehill, County Cavan, became a Field Marshal in the Austrian Service and Michael Brady who was executed for his part in the service of the `Young Pretender' in 1745.
BLAZON OF ARMS Sable a sun in splendour or, in the dexter chief point, and a hand proper pointing thereto in the sinister base. CREST A cheribum proper winged or. MOTTO In deo fides Translation In God is my faith. ORIGIN Ireland
BRADY (England) The surname Brady when found in England is of regional origin. Regional surnames stem from place names including rivers, countries, and man made features such as buildings, crossroads and many other objects. A person could be given a name indicating a place, which was readily recognised. An individual living near or on a hill would be so designated; perhaps someone living or working by a church would have been given the name Church. In this case the name means `at the broad hey', i.e. the broad enclosure. Also the name may be of descriptive origin. Descriptive names, otherwise known as nicknames, were used to identify a particular feature or trait of an individual. Nicknames have been applied to many historical figures and was in use before ancestral surnames were introduced. Names such as Walsh were used to describe a person from Wales. Short, Long or White are readily identified as nicknames. In this case the name is derived from the Old English words `brad' which means broad and `eage', which means eye and would have been applied to someone with large or wide set eyes. Investigations of the surname Brady or a variant show that it appears in English documents from at least the 14th century when Johannes Bradhee is recorded in the Poll Tax of Yorkshire in 1379AD. This tax was instrumental in causing a revolt in 1380. As the tax did not discriminate between rich and poor and was therefore viewed as unfair. The amount was levied on each person regardless of their position in society. The leader of this peasants revolt was one Wat Tyler. This uprising was one of the reasons for the demise of this form of taxation. More recently, from church records we find the marriage of Marie Bradye and John Brewer at St Thomas the Apostle in 1612 and the marriage of James Brady and Sarah Lowing at St Georges, Hanover Square in 1729. BLAZON OF ARMS Sable a sun in splendour or, in the dexter chief point, and a hand proper pointing thereto in sinister base. CREST A cherubim proper winged or. MOTTO Claritate dextra ORIGIN England
BRADY (Scotland) The Scottish surname Brady is of two possible origins. In the first place the name is of regional origin. Regional surnames stem from place names including rivers, countries, and man made features such as buildings, crossroads and many other objects. A person could be given a name indicating a place, which was readily recognised. An individual living near or on a hill would be so designated; perhaps someone living or working by a church would have been given the name Church. In this case the name is ultimately of English origin and means `at the broad hey', i.e. the broad enclosure. This is derived from the Old English words `brad' meaning broad and `(ge)hoeg' which means enclosure. Also the original bearer may have come from a place known as `broad island'. This is derived from the words `brad' and `eg' which means island. Secondly, the name may be of descriptive origin. Descriptive names, otherwise known as nicknames, were used to identify a particular feature or trait of an individual. Nicknames have been applied to many historical figures and was in use before ancestral surnames were introduced. Names such as Walsh were used to describe a person from Wales. Short, Long or White are readily identified as nicknames. In this case the name is derived from the Old English words `brad' which means broad and `eage' which means eye and would have been applied to someone with large or wide set eyes. The earliest recorded references of the surname Brady or a variant appear to be found in Scottish documents from at least the 15th century when Richard Brady witnessed a notarial transumpt in Dundee in 1430AD. Also around this time, records show that Galwanus brady was presbyther and notary public of Dunblane in 1456. A century later, Cuthbert Brady was recorded in Berwickshire in 1542. Later in the century, Mongo Bradie was a goldsmith in Edinburgh in 1576. More recently, Thomas Bradie was recorded in Kirk of Bonhill in 1623 and Elspeth Bradie was recorded in Peilwalls in 1682. BLAZON OF ARMS Argent a chevron gules. Translation Argent represents the colours silver or white and indicates harmony and sincerity. CREST Three ostrich plumes ORIGIN Scotland
Although wars, conquests, and economic conditions have changed boundaries, modified name spellings, and altered languages, a coat of arms MEANS A NAME. A coat of arms was as easily read in earlier times as a name on a mailbox is today. Originally, arms were used to identify a family, group, or clan, and to distinguish friend from foe; THAT IS WHY NO TWO ARE ALIKE! No snobbery was connected with them, but some people like to think so! Colours and designs were chosen to show status, allegiance, personality, or profession; and to reflect traits or traditions associated with the original bearer. |