Ó Brádaigh

Etymology

Ó Brádaigh is an Irish surname meaning "descendant of Brádach". The personal name Brádach is an Old Irish nickname, believed to be a short form of Brághadach, which meant "large-chested" or from bradach meaning “spirited, thieving, roguish”. The surname is native to County Galway and the surrounding region.

Irish and Anglicized Forms

Under the anglicization policies of the 17th–19th centuries, many Irish families translated or adapted their names to English forms. Ó Brádaigh was typically anglicized as Brady, which also became common as a given name in the United States. Today, both forms coexist, with Brady being far more widespread internationally.

Notable Bearers

Two prominent bearers of the original Gaelic form were Irish republicans: Ruairí Ó Brádaigh (1932–2013), a founding member of the Provisional IRA and later leader of Republican Sinn Féin, and Seán Ó Brádaigh (born 1937), a political activist and brother of Ruairí. In the anglicized form, the most famous bearer is American football quarterback Tom Brady (born 1977).

Summary

• Meaning: “Descendant of Brádach” — the byname meaning “spirited” or “large-chested”.
• Origin: Irish Gaelic.
• Type: Patronymic surname.
• Usage Regions: Ireland, with diaspora in English-speaking countries.