Breathnach

Rev Patrick Woulfe

1923

BREATHNACH—X—Brathnagh, Brethnagh, Brehnagh, Brennagh, Brannagh, and by translation Walsh, Walshe, etc.; Irish 'Breathnach' (more correctly Breatnach), i.e., the Welshman; a descriptive surname applied generically to the early Anglo-Norman invaders who came hither from Wales; now one of our most numerous surnames. There are naturally many distinct families so called. See also de Bhailéis, de Bhailís, which is the Norman equivalent.

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