Brady - Irish Surname Origin & Meaning
Irish form: Mac Brádaigh
Meaning: “spirited, broad”
Traditional stronghold: Cavan
Pronunciation: BRAY-dee; Irish Mac Bradaigh: mok BRAW-dee
History of the Brady name
The Mac Bradaigh were an important sept of the old kingdom of Breifne, based in Cavan, where they held substantial territory under the overlordship of the O'Reillys. The meaning of the underlying name is uncertain, though it is sometimes linked to notions of vigour or spirit. Cavan's dense association with the surname persisted through the plantations, and Brady remains one of the most common names in that county today, having spread more widely through Ulster and beyond in subsequent centuries.
Variants: MacBrady · Bradie · O'Grady (unrelated)
Famous bearers of the name
- Liam Brady - Dublin-born footballer and manager, Arsenal and Ireland legend
- Conor Brady - Former editor of the Irish Times
- James Brady - White House Press Secretary wounded in the 1981 Reagan assassination attempt, of Irish descent
Related names from the same part of Ireland: O'Reilly · McGowan · Smith · Clarke · McCabe · Dolan · Sheridan · McGovern