UK surname
An Anglicized form of the Irish surname O'Brien, meaning "descendant of Brian".
In the 1881 census there were 19 people recorded with the Obrein surname, ranking it #30,872 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 22, ranked #36,533, down from #30,872 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Manchester and Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Obrein is 151 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 15.8%.
1881 census count
19
Ranked #30,872
Modern count
22
2016, ranked #36,533
Peak year
1911
151 bearers
Map years
1
1911 to 1911
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Obrein surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Obrein surname density by area, 1911 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.
| Year | Period | Count | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1851 | historical | 18 | #30,094 |
| 1861 | historical | 7 | #33,053 |
| 1881 | historical | 19 | #30,872 |
| 1891 | historical | 47 | #30,566 |
| 1901 | historical | 45 | #29,156 |
| 1911 | historical | 151 | #17,797 |
| 1997 | modern | 35 | #34,174 |
| 1998 | modern | 25 | #35,365 |
| 1999 | modern | 17 | #36,261 |
| 2000 | modern | 5 | #37,823 |
| 2001 | modern | 4 | #37,862 |
| 2002 | modern | 6 | #37,532 |
| 2003 | modern | 11 | #36,842 |
| 2004 | modern | 10 | #37,096 |
| 2005 | modern | 12 | #36,936 |
| 2006 | modern | 10 | #37,224 |
| 2007 | modern | 10 | #37,335 |
| 2008 | modern | 12 | #37,143 |
| 2009 | modern | 16 | #36,850 |
| 2010 | modern | 20 | #36,599 |
| 2011 | modern | 15 | #37,030 |
| 2012 | modern | 22 | #36,431 |
| 2013 | modern | 22 | #36,477 |
| 2014 | modern | 22 | #36,496 |
| 2015 | modern | 25 | #36,297 |
| 2016 | modern | 22 | #36,533 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Manchester, Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry and Llangynwyd, Glyn-Corrwg. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | London parishes | London 1 |
| 2 | London parishes | London 3 |
| 3 | Manchester | Lancashire |
| 4 | Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry | Forfar |
| 5 | Llangynwyd, Glyn-Corrwg | Glamorganshire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Obrein surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Obrein, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.
These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.
The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.
UK neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Obrein surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Obrein household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Obrein is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Obrein is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Obrein, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname OBREIN is of Irish origin and can be traced back to the 12th century. It is derived from the Gaelic words 'O Briain', meaning 'descendant of Brian'. This name was originally found in Counties Clare and Tipperary, where the powerful O'Brien dynasty ruled as Kings of Thomond.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name appears in the Annals of Inisfallen, a chronicle of medieval Irish history, which mentions the death of Donnchadh Ua Briain, King of Munster, in 1064. The Annals also reference several other notable figures bearing the OBREIN name, including Toirdhealbach Ua Briain, who became King of Munster in 1086.
In the 12th century, the OBREIN name gained prominence with the rise of Donal Mor O'Brien, who was King of Thomond from 1168 to 1194. He is credited with establishing the O'Brien clan as one of the most powerful families in Ireland during this period. His son, Conor O'Brien, succeeded him as King of Thomond and continued to expand the family's influence.
During the 16th century, the OBREIN name appeared in various historical records, including the Annals of the Four Masters. One notable figure from this time was Murrough O'Brien, 1st Earl of Thomond, who was born in 1570 and played a significant role in the Nine Years' War against English rule in Ireland.
In the 17th century, the OBREIN surname was associated with several notable figures, such as Daniel O'Brien, 3rd Viscount Clare, who was born in 1642 and served as a Jacobite military commander during the Williamite War in Ireland. Another notable figure was Lucius O'Brien, 5th Viscount Clare, who was born in 1670 and served as a Member of the English Parliament.
As the centuries progressed, the OBREIN name continued to be associated with notable individuals, including William Smith O'Brien, an Irish revolutionary and Member of Parliament, who was born in 1803 and played a significant role in the Young Ireland movement. Additionally, Lucius O'Brien, 13th Baron Inchiquin, who was born in 1800, served as a British Army officer and politician.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Obrein surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Angus leads with 2 Obreins recorded in 1881 and an index of 73.80x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Angus | 2 | 73.80x |
| Staffordshire | 1 | 10.14x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Liff Benvie in Angus leads with 2 Obreins recorded in 1881 and an index of 487.80x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Liff Benvie | 2 | 487.80x |
| Cheadle | 1 | 2000.00x |
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Obrein surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
| Name | Count |
|---|---|
| Patrick | 1 |
Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Obrein households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Farm Lab | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 19 people were recorded with the Obrein surname. That placed it at #30,872 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 22 in 2016. That gives Obrein a modern rank of #36,533.
An Anglicized form of the Irish surname O'Brien, meaning "descendant of Brian".
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Obrein bearers relative to the surrounding population.
The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.