' Byrne (also O'Byrne) is an Irish surname. It is derived from the Gaelic ''Ó Broin'' or ''Ó Beirn''. There are two Irish surnames which have Byrne as their English spelling; the most common comes from Ó Broin, which refers to the Leinster-based family of Bran as described below. The less common family name is Ó Beirn or Ó Beirne, which comes from a different family and is most commonly found in the Northwest of

Ireland Ireland ( ; ga, Éire ; Ulster Scots dialect, Ulster-Scots: ) is an island in the Atlantic Ocean, North Atlantic Ocean, in Northwestern Europe, north-western Europe. It is separated from Great Britain to its east by the North Channel (Grea ...

. The most prominents Byrnes were the

O'Byrne family The O'Byrne family ( ga, Ó Broin) is an Ireland, Irish clann that descend from Bran mac Máelmórda, King of Leinster, of the Uí Faelain of the Uí Dúnlainge. Before the Norman invasion of Ireland they began to colonise south County Wicklow, Wi ...

Leinster Leinster ( ; ga, Laighin or ) is one of the provinces of Ireland, situated in the southeast and east of Ireland. The province comprises the ancient Kingdoms of Meath, Leinster and Osraige. Following the 12th-century Norman invasion of ...

List of people surnamed Byrne or O'Byrne

A–D

Alan Byrne (disambiguation) Alan Byrne may refer to: * Alan Byrne (footballer, born 1969), Irish football (soccer) player * Alan Byrne (Gaelic footballer) Alan Byrne is an Irish sportsperson who played Gaelic football for Wicklow Senior Football Championship team Annac ...

, several people * Alexandra Byrne, British costume designer * Alfie Byrne, Lord Mayor of Dublin and TD * Allie Byrne, British actress * Andrew Byrne, first Catholic Bishop of Little Rock *Andrew Hozier-Byrne, better known under his stage name Hozier (born 1990), Irish singer and songwriter * Anthony Byrne (disambiguation), several people * Bill Byrne (disambiguation), several people * Billy Byrne (disambiguation), several people * Bob Byrne, Irish comics writer * Bradley Byrne (born 1965), American business attorney and politician *

Brendan Byrne Brendan Thomas Byrne (April 1, 1924 – January 4, 2018) was an American politician, statesman, and prosecutor, serving as the 47th governor of New Jersey from 1974 to 1982. A member of the Democratic Party, Byrne started his career as a priva ...

, Governor of New Jersey from 1974 to 1982 *

Brian Byrne Brian Byrne (born January 13, 1975) is a Canadian singer and songwriter. He was the second vocalist for the band I Mother Earth. Biography Brian joined his first band in Corner Brook in 1988, a hair-metal band called Pandemonium. The band ...

, Canadian musician *

Bryan Byrne (footballer) Bryan Byrne (born 26 August 1982) is an Irish former professional footballer. He played in Europe and the United States. Early life and education Byrne was born on 26 August 1982, in Kilkenny, Ireland, and was raised in Castledermot. He sta ...

, Irish footballer *

Catherine Byrne (disambiguation) Catherine Byrne may refer to: *Catherine Byrne (Irish politician) (born 1956), Irish Fine Gael politician *Catherine Byrne (Nevada politician) (born 1964), American politician from Nevada *Catherine Byrne (athlete) Catherine Byrne may refer to: *C ...

, several people *

Celine Byrne Celine Byrne (born 3 May 1980 in Kildare) is an Irish soprano. Career She first saw opera live at Milan's La Scala when she worked there as an au pair after leaving school. She then decided she wanted to be an opera singer and upon her return ...

(born 1980), Irish opera soprano * Charles Byrne (disambiguation), several people *

Charlie Byrne (disambiguation) Charles Byrne may refer to: *Charles Byrne (giant) (1761–1783), also known as "The Irish Giant" *Charles Alfred Byrne (1848–1909), American journalist and playwright * Charles C. Byrne (1837–1921), brigadier general in the United States Army ...

, several people *

Christopher Byrne (disambiguation) Christopher Byrne may refer to: * Christopher Byrne (politician) (1886–1957), Irish Cumann na nGaedheal and later Fianna Fáil politician * Christopher Edward Byrne Christopher Edward Byrne (April 21, 1867 – April 1, 1950) was an America ...

, several people named Chris or Christopher * Cliff Byrne, Irish footballer * Conan Byrne, Irish footballer * Condon Byrne, Australian politician *

Connor Byrne Connor Byrne (born 18 March 1964) is an Irish actor and former dancer, known for his role as Mike Milligan (character), Mike Milligan in ''The Story of Tracy Beaker (TV series), The Story of Tracy Beaker'', ''Tracy Beaker Returns'' and ''The Du ...

(born 1964), Irish actor *

Conor Byrne Conor Byrne (died 19 April 1948) was an Irish politician and medical doctor. He was first elected to Dáil Éireann as a Sinn Féin Teachta Dála (TD) for the Longford–Westmeath constituency at the 1923 general election. He did not take his ...

(died 1948), Irish politician and medical practitioner *

Damien Byrne Damien Byrne (born 6 April 1954 in Dublin) is an Irish former professional football player. In a career spanning 20 seasons, Byrne won player of the year awards in both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, the only man to do so. He ...

, Irish footballer *

Danny Byrne Daniel Byrne (born 30 November 1984) is former professional footballer who played as a midfielder. He played for Manchester United, Hartlepool United (on loan), Weymouth, Newcastle Town, Mossley, Flixton, Southport, Droylsden, Runcorn F ...

, English footballer * David Byrne (born 1952), Scottish-born American musician * David Byrne (disambiguation), several people * Dean Byrne (disambiguation), several people *

Debra Byrne Debra Anne Byrne (born 30 March 1957), formerly billed as Debbie Byrne, is an Australian pop singer, variety entertainer, theatre and TV actress and writer, director and choreographer of cabaret. From April 1971 to March 1975 she was a founding ...

, Australian singer * Declan Byrne, fictional character in British soap opera ''Family Affairs'' *

Denis Byrne Denis Martin Byrne (born 24 October 1974) is an Irish sportsperson who is a hurling All Star. He played with his local club Graigue–Ballycallan, in County Kilkenny, from 1991-2009, and with Kilkenny senior inter-county hurling team from 1 ...

, Irish sportsman *

Dominic Byrne Dominic Anthony Byrne (born 10 November 1972) is a British newsreader and presenter. He currently works on the Chris Moyles Breakfast show on Radio X, having previously worked as the newsreader for Capital London on the Capital FM Breakfast ...

, British newsreader and presenter *

Donald Byrne Donald Byrne (June 12, 1930 – April 8, 1976) was an American university professor and chess player. He held the title International Master, and competed for his country in the Chess Olympiad on several occasions. Biography Born in New York Ci ...

, American chess player *

Donn Byrne Donn Byrne (born Brian Oswald Patrick Donn-Byrne, ; 20 November 1889 – 18 June 1928) was an Irish novelist. Biography He was born in New York City in the United States where, he claimed, his Irish parents were on a business trip at the time ...

, Irish novelist * Doris I. Byrne (1905–1975), New York politician and judge

E–J

Edward Byrne (disambiguation) Edward Byrne may refer to: *Edward Byrne (police officer) (1966–1988), murdered police officer in the New York City Police Department *Edward Abraham Byrne (1864–1938), Irish-American civil engineer *Edward 'Doc' Byrne, journalist and newspaper ...

, several people *

Emma Byrne Emma Anne Byrne (born 14 June 1979) is an Irish football goalkeeper who played for the Republic of Ireland women's national football team on a record 134 occasions and served as captain of the team. She spent almost 17 years with Arsenal before ...

, Irish footballer *

Emma Byrne (author) Emma Byrne is a contemporary British writer and scientist, working in the fields of swearing, artificial intelligence and robotics. Career Scientist Byrne completed her PhD in Expectation Violation Analysis at the University College London, U ...

, British author *

Emmet Byrne Emmet Francis Byrne (December 6, 1896 – September 25, 1974) was an American politician. He was a U.S. Representative from the third district of Illinois. He served one term, 1957–59, as a Republican before being defeated in the 1958 e ...

, US Representative from Illinois * Eric Byrne, Irish politician *

Eugene Byrne Eugene Byrne (born 25 February 1959) is an English freelance journalist and fiction writer. His novel ''ThigMOO'', and the story it was based on, were nominated for the BSFA award. His story "HMS Habakkuk" was nominated for a Sidewise Award for Alt ...

, English writer *

Fiach McHugh O'Byrne Fiach Mac Aodha Ó Broin (anglicised as Feagh or Fiach MacHugh O'Byrne) (1534 – 8 May, 1597) was Chief of the Name of Clann Uí Bhroin (Clan O'Byrne) and Lord of Ranelagh during the Elizabethan wars against the Irish clans. Arms Backg ...

(1534–1597), Irish Lord of Ranelagh and sometime leader of the Clann Uí Bhroin *

Francis Byrne (politician) Francis Byrne (December 7, 1877 – March 28, 1938) was a politician in Quebec, serving as a Quebec Liberal Party, Liberal member of the Legislative Assembly of Quebec. He was mayor of Charlesbourg, Quebec (today part of Quebec City) from 1921 ...

(1877–1938), Liberal member of the Legislative Assembly of Quebec *

Francis John Byrne Francis John Byrne (1934 – 30 December 2017) was an Irish historian. Born in Shanghai where his father, a Dundalk man, captained a ship on the Yellow River, Byrne was evacuated with his mother to Australia on the outbreak of World War II. ...

, Irish historian * Frank Byrne (Australian politician) (1837–1923), Member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly * Frank Byrne (Irish nationalist), instigator of the Irish National Invincibles * Frank M. Byrne, eighth governor of South Dakota *

Gabriel Byrne Gabriel James Byrne (born 12 May 1950) is an Irish actor, film director, film producer, screenwriter, audiobook narrator, and author. His acting career began in the Focus Theatre before he joined London's Royal Court Theatre in 1979. Byrne's s ...

(born 1950), Irish actor * Gay Byrne (1934–2019), Irish broadcaster * George Byrne (1892–1973), English cricketer * Gerry Byrne (disambiguation), several people * Gonçalo Byrne (born 1941), Portuguese architect *

Henry Byrne Henry Byrne (6 March 1920 – 6 April 1976) was an Irish Labour Party (Ireland), Labour Party politician who served one term as a Teachta Dála (TD). He first stood for election as an Independent politician, independent candidate at the 1944 I ...

(1920–1976), Irish politician *

Henry Byrne (disambiguation) Henry Byrne was an Irish politician. Henry Byrne may also refer to: *Henry Byrne (judge) (fl. 1810s), Puisne Justice of the Supreme Court of Ceylon *Henry Byrne (police officer), Irish police officer murdered in 1980 See also

*Henry Burns (di ...

, several people *

Hollis Byrne Marxman were a four-piece Marxist hip-hop group with two MCs"Marxman: Woman and Child", ''Lime Lizard'', May 1993, p. 24-5 formed in London in 1989. Their lyrics expounded communism and an end to economic and social injustice. They are one of ...

, Irish rapper/ singer *

Hugh Byrne (disambiguation) Hugh Byrne may refer to: *Hugh Byrne (Fianna Fáil politician) (born 1943), Irish politician, Fianna Fáil TD and Senator * Hugh Byrne (Fine Gael politician) (1939–2023), Irish politician, Fine Gael TD for Dublin North West from 1969 to 1982 *Hug ...

, several people *

James Byrne (disambiguation) James or Jim Byrne may refer to: Politics * James A. Byrne (1906–1980), U.S. Representative from Pennsylvania * James Allen Byrne (1911–1975), Liberal Party member of the Canadian House of Commons * James J. Byrne (1863–1930), American singe ...

, several people *

Jane Byrne Jane Margaret Byrne (née Burke; May 24, 1933November 14, 2014) was an American politician who was the first woman to be elected mayor of a major city in the United States. She served as the 50th Mayor of Chicago from April 16, 1979, until April ...

, mayor of Chicago, Illinois * Jason Byrne (disambiguation), several people *

Jennifer Byrne Jennifer Victoria Byrne (born 5 March 1955) is an Australian journalist, television presenter and former book publisher. She hosted the monthly ABC television program '' The Book Club'', originally titled ''First Tuesday Book Club''. Early li ...

(born 1955), Australian journalist *

Jenny Byrne Jenny Byrne (born 25 February 1967) is a former tennis player from Australia who turned professional in 1987 and retired from the tour in 1997. Her career-high world rankings were world No. 45 in singles (in 1989) and world No. 27 in doubles ( ...

(born 1967), Australian tennis player *

Joe Byrne Joseph Byrne (21 November 1856 – 28 June 1880) was an Australian bushranger of Irish descent. A friend of Ned Kelly, he was a member of the "Kelly Gang" who were declared outlaws after the murder of three policemen at Stringybark Creek. De ...

(1856–1880), Australian outlaw * Joe Byrne (Northern Ireland politician), Irish politician *

John Byrne (disambiguation) John or Johnny Byrne may refer to: Arts and entertainment *John Byrne (English artist) (1786–1847), English painter and printmaker *Johnny Byrne (writer) (1935–2008), former BBC editor and script writer *John Byrne (playwright) (born 1940), ...

, several people named John or Johnny * Julie Byrne, American musician

K–Z

* Kevin P. Byrne, United States Navy admiral * Kurtis Byrne, Irish professional association football player *

Lee Byrne Lee Byrne (born 1 June 1980) is a Welsh former professional rugby union and rugby league footballer who played in the 2000s and 2010s. Club career Byrne started his career playing rugby union for Bridgend Athletic RFC; and Tondu RFC, as a ful ...

, Welsh rugby player *

Leo Christopher Byrne Leo Christopher Byrne (March 19, 1908 – October 21, 1974) served as the Roman Catholic Coadjutor Archbishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis, in Minneapolis-Saint Paul, Minnesota. Biography Born in Saint Lou ...

, American Roman Catholic archbishop *

Leslie Byrne Leslie Larkin Byrne (born October 27, 1946) is an American businesswoman and politician. In 1992, she became the first woman elected to the United States House of Representatives from the Commonwealth of Virginia. A member of the Democratic Pa ...

, US Congresswoman from the state of Virginia *

Liam Byrne Liam Dominic Byrne (born 2 October 1970) is a British politician serving as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Birmingham Hodge Hill since 2004. A member of the Labour Party, he served in Prime Minister Gordon Brown’s Cabinet from 2008 to 2 ...

, British politician *

Liam Byrne (rugby league) Liam Byrne (born 18 August 1999) is an Ireland international rugby league footballer who plays as a forward for the Wigan Warriors in the Super League. He has spent time on loan from Wigan at Workington Town in Betfred League 1, and the Leig ...

, Irish international rugby league footballer *

Liam Byrne (Irish criminal) Liam Byrne (born 30 October 1980 in Dublin, Ireland) is an Irish criminal and member of the Kinahan Organised Crime Group founded by Christy Kinahan. Family His parents are James and Sadie Byrne (née Roe). He is the second youngest of six sibl ...

(born 1980), Irish gangster and criminal *

Mairéad Byrne Mairéad Byrne, born in Dublin, is an Irish poet who immigrated to the United States in 1994. Author of five poetry collections, and other works, she is a professor of poetry and poetics at Rhode Island School of Design. Education Byrne earned a ...

, Irish poet *

Margaret Byrne Margaret Mary Byrne is senior principal research scientist and director of the Science Division within WA Dept of Parks and Wildlife. She is a member of the Board of Terrestrial Ecosystem Research Network (TERN). Her research background is in ...

, Australian scientist * Margaret Mary Byrne (born 1949), American politician * Mark Byrne, Irish football player *

Martha Byrne Mary Martha Byrne (born December 23, 1969) is an American actress, singer and television writer. She played the role of Lily Walsh Snyder on the soap opera ''As the World Turns'' from 1985 to 1989, then again from 1993 to 2008; as well as, from ...

, American actress *

Mary Byrne (disambiguation) Mary Byrne may refer to: *Mary Byrne (mayor) (1917–2004), mayor of Galway *Mary Byrne (singer) (born 1959), Irish singer, 2010 ''The X Factor'' UK contestant *Mary Ann Byrne (1854–1894), Irish nationalist *Mary Elizabeth Byrne (1880–1931), Iri ...

, several people *

Matt Byrne Matthew "Matt" Byrne (born 8 October 1974) is a British wheelchair basketball player. He participated at the 2004 Summer Paralympics in Athens where he finished in third position. At the 2008 Summer Paralympics in Beijing, Byrne finished in bro ...

(born 1974), British Paralympic wheelchair basketball player *Matt Byrne, drummer of the American band

Hatebreed Hatebreed is an American hardcore band from Bridgeport, Connecticut, formed in 1994. The band released its debut album '' Satisfaction is the Death of Desire'' in 1997, which gave the band a cult following. The band signed to Universal Records ...

* Michael Byrne (disambiguation), several people * Myles Byrne, a leader in the Irish rebellion of 1798 *

Neil Byrne Celtic Thunder is an Irish singing group and stage show known for its eclectic, theatrical style show. The group is backed by the Celtic Thunder Band on their concert tours, and their live shows are known for the use of dramatic set pieces (of ...

, Irish singer in the group Celtic Thunder *

Nicky Byrne Nicholas Bernard James Adam Byrne Jr. (born 9 October 1978) is an Irish pop singer, songwriter and radio and television presenter, best known for being a member of the pop group Westlife; he is the band's oldest member. Westlife has since relea ...

, member of Irish boy band Westlife *

Oliver Byrne (football chairman) Oliver Byrne (26 July 1944 in Dublin – 26 August 2007) was formerly the CEO of Irish soccer club Shelbourne F.C. Early life In 1949, when he was five, his brother Joe brought him to see Shelbourne at their former ground in Milltown. At the ...

(1944–2007), CEO of Irish soccer club Shelbourne F.C. *

Oliver Byrne (mathematician) Oliver Byrne (; 31 July 1810 – 9 December 1880) was a civil engineer and prolific author of works on subjects including mathematics, geometry, and engineering. He is best known for his 'coloured' book of Euclid's '' Elements''. He was also a ...

(1810–1880), Irish civil engineer and author * Pat Byrne (footballer), Irish football player and manager * Patricia M. Byrne (1925–2007), American diplomat * Patrick Byrne (disambiguation), several people *

Patsy Byrne Patricia Anne Thirza Byrne (13 July 1933 – 17 June 2014) was an English actress, best known for her role as "Nursie" in '' Blackadder II'' as well as Malcolm's domineering Mother, Mrs Stoneway in all seven series of the ITV comedy '' Watchin ...

, English actress * Paul Byrne (disambiguation), several people * Paula Byrne, British author *

Peter Byrne (disambiguation) Peter Byrne may refer to: * Peter Byrne (actor) (1928–2018), English actor and director * Peter Byrne (basketball) (born 1948), Australian Olympic basketball player * Peter Byrne (philosopher), author and lecturer on philosophy * Peter Byrne (pol ...

, several people * Richie Byrne, Irish footballer * Robert Byrne (disambiguation), several people *

Roger Byrne Roger William Byrne (8 September 1929
England Football Online. Retrieved 6 June 20 ...

, English footballer *

Rose Byrne Mary Rose Byrne (born 24 July 1979) is an Australian actress. She made her screen debut in the film ''Dallas Doll'' (1994), and continued to act in Australian film and television throughout the 1990s. She obtained her first leading film role i ...

, Australian actress * Rosemary Byrne, Member of the Scottish parliament *

Rory Byrne Rory Byrne (born 10 January 1944) is a South African semi-retired engineer and car designer, most famous for being the chief designer at the Benetton and Scuderia Ferrari Formula One teams. Byrne-designed cars have won ninety-nine Grands Pri ...

, South African car designer * Sam Byrne (footballer), Irish footballer *

Sean Byrne (disambiguation) Sean Byrne may refer to: Footballers * Sean Byrne (footballer) (''fl.'' 1920s and 1930s), Irish Soccer player * Sean Byrne (New Zealand footballer) (1955–2003), New Zealand international football player Others * Sean Byrne (filmmaker) Sean ...

, several people * Shane Byrne (disambiguation), several people * Shaun Byrne (disambiguation), several people * Shay Byrne, Irish radio host *

Sophie Byrne Sophie Byrne is an Australian film and TV producer, best known for the Academy Award winning animated short '' The Lost Thing''. Career Byrne worked as a Senior Producer at Passion Pictures London for ten years. There she produced many award ...

, Australian filmmaker * Stephen Byrne (disambiguation), several people * Steve Byrne, American comedian and actor *

Terry Byrne Terry Byrne (born 4 June 1966) is an English businessman and a director of various companies connected to football that are active in the United Kingdom and the United States. He is best known for his business relationship and close friendship ...

, English football manager * Thomas Byrne (disambiguation), several people * Todd Byrne, Australian rugby player *

Tommy Byrne (disambiguation) Tommy Byrne may refer to: *Tommy Byrne (baseball) (1919–2007), Major League Baseball player *Tommy Byrne (musician) (born 1944), musician with the group Wolfe Tones *Tommy Byrne (racing driver) (born 1958), former Formula One racing driver See al ...

, several people * Tony Byrne (disambiguation), Irish boxer *Walter Byrne (1849–1931), professional baseball umpire in 1882, see

List of Major League Baseball umpires The following is a list of major league baseball umpires. The list includes umpires who worked in any of four 19th century major leagues (American Association, National Association, Players' League, Union Association), one defunct 20th century ma ...

William Byrne (disambiguation) William, Bill or Billy Byrne may refer to: * William Byrne (boxer), former boxer from New Zealand * William Byrne (Catholic) (1780–1833), Irish missionary and educator * William Byrne (engraver) (1743–1805), British artist * William Byrne (p ...

, several people * William O'Byrne (1908–1951), English cricketer * William Richard O'Byrne (1823–1896), Irish biographer and politician

Given name

* Byrne Offutt, American actor *

Byrne Piven Bernard Piven (September 24, 1929 – February 18, 2002) was an American stage actor, director, and co-founder of the Playwrights Theatre Club, a forerunner of The Second City. He was known as Byrne Piven. Life and career Piven was born in Sc ...

(1929–2002), American actor

Other uses

*'' Byrne: A Novel'' by Anthony Burgess *

Byrne Dairy Byrne Dairy is a regional dairy company headquartered in Syracuse, New York. It was founded during the Great Depression in 1933, delivering milk bottles to New Yorkers by horse-wagons. The company is privately run and has expanded, distribut ...

, based in New York *

Caroline Byrne case Caroline Byrne (8 October 1970 – 7 June 1995), an Australian model, was found at the bottom of a cliff at The Gap in Sydney in the early hours of 8 June 1995. Her then boyfriend Gordon Eric Wood (b. 1962), who at the time of her death was a ...

, relating to the death of the Australian model * ''David Byrne'' (album), by the musician of the same name *

O'Byrne Cup The Bord na Móna O'Byrne Cup is a Gaelic football competition organised by the Leinster GAA and first staged in 1954. The competition is named after Matt Byrne, a former Wicklow GAA club and county officer. By virtue of a quirk in translation, ...

List of people surnamed Byrne or O'Byrne

A–D

E–J

K–Z

Given name

Other uses

See also

References

Further reading