Surname Brophy - Meaning and Origin
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Brophy: What does the surname Brophy mean?
The surname Brophy is of Irish origin, specifically from the Gaelic Ó Bróithe. It has been anglicized from O Broithe to the modern forms Brophy, Brofee, or Broffe. The specific meaning of the name is "descendant of the hospitable one," or "descendant of the sorrowful one," depending on the translation. It is a patronymic surname, meaning it was initially given based on the father's name or profession. The clan from which the Brophy family hails is from the Leinster Province and the family was historically quite well-off and influential, being the chieftains of the Seven Houses of Leix. The last name Brophy is still very common in Ireland today, especially in County Kilkenny and County Laois where the family has historically resided.
Order DNA origin analysisBrophy: Where does the name Brophy come from?
The last name Brophy is still common today, particularly in regions of Ireland and parts of the United Kingdom. Irish records suggest it is the 27th most popular surname in Ireland, with the highest concentration of Brophys living in County Cork.
Within the UK, England and Scotland have their fair share of Brophy households with the largest presence occurring in Scotland. Here, Brophy families are typically located in the major cities of Glasgow and Edinburgh, though smaller clusters are present in some of the rural communities.
Additionally, Brophy is found in the United States and Canada, particularly in the states of Massachusetts, California and New Jersey. As a result of emigration, there are also large concentrations of Brophy households located in Australia, New Zealand and England. As these countries are known for their colonial heritage, the name is often found among their records.
Overall, the name Brophy continues to be one of the most popular surnames in the world. Although its origins remain unclear, its presence in various countries serves as a testament to its original owner’s international origins and widespread influence.
Variations of the surname Brophy
The surname Brophy is of Irish origin and may be spelled a number of ways including O’Brophy (Gaelic spelling) and Brophey. Brophy is an anglicized version of the Gaelic name O'Bróithe, which is derived from the Old Norse ‘brotha’ or ‘brothir’ meaning brother or descendant. This surname is associated with several prominent Irish clans that still exist today, such as the O'Brophy's of Co. Wexford and the O'Brophys of Co. Kerry and Cork.
Variants of the surname Brophy include Broffy, Brofey, Brophay, Broffey, Broffey, Boffey, Boffy, Boffee and Boffie. It is also common to see the prefixes "Mac" and "O" as part of the name, such as MacBrophy and O'Brophy.
The spelling O'Brophy is the most common spelling today in Ireland and can be found in a variety of locations, such as Donegal, Wexford, Galway, Roscommon, and Cork.
Surnames that are believed to be of the same origin as Brophy include Brough, Broughton, McFee, Brodie, Broughall, Brotha and Brouffey.
Although the original Gaelic spelling of Brophy is O'Bróithe, a common misspelling of the name is O'Brouy.
In addition to these variants, some branches of the Brophy family have dropped the ‘O’ and simply spell the surname Brophy. This is the case with the Brophy family from County Wexford, Ireland, who have been in the area since early medieval times and are one of the most well-known branches of the family today.
Famous people with the name Brophy
- Matt Brophy: Actor, writer, and director who is best known for his role as Tyler Kelly in the TV series Grange Hill.
- Conor Brophy:Irish Gaelic footballer who plays for Mayo and the Knockmore club.
- Paul Brophy: Irish professional footballer who currently plays for Drogheda United in the League of Ireland Premier Division.
- Bill Brophy: Former Major League Baseball player and American Baseball Hall of Famer who played first base and catcher for four teams from 1895 to 1904.
- Orla Brophy: Irish film and stage actress, best known for her performances in Casualty, Midsomer Murders and Father Ted.
- Dr. Máire Brophy: Irish barrister and solicitor, Professor of Law at the University of Limerick, and a former lecturer in Tort Law at the King's Inns, Dublin.
- Will Brophy: Award-winning filmmaker whose film ‘The Land of the Enlightened’ won the World Cinema Grand Jury Prize at the 2016 Sundance Film Festival.
- Dr. Siobhán Brophy: Veterinary surgeon and author who has written several best-selling books about veterinary care for pet owners.
- Charles St. John Brophy: Australian soldier and recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest award for gallantry in the face of the enemy given to a British or Commonwealth soldier.
- Bob Brophy: Canadian Ice Hockey player who played for the Chicago Blackhawks and the Detroit Red Wings.