Last update: 30 Oct 2022

My name is Carl Oehmann. My mother was Helen Kathleen Bryan born in 1918 and died in 1969. I began my research in 1995 while visiting my aunt Lucile Bryan. My aunt had already done some research on her paternal surname which traced back to her great-great grandfather William Bryan who was born c1760 in Johnston County, North Carolina which at that time was a British Colony. I have been able to extend the line one additional generation to Needham Bryan born in North Carolina c1737. I am currently working to determine who his father was. The genealogical records are scarce in North Carolina in the 1600s and early 1700s. There is good DNA evidence that our more distant Bryan ancestors were from England.

This study will focus on the BRYAN surname and BRYANT variant. It will also attempt to identify Y-chromosome haplogroups for the various Bryan individuals identified in the study. The study will also attempt to research migration patterns.

Most of the DNA analysis is based on test results from the Family Tree DNA Bryan Surname group. The testers are predominantly people living in the United States as it has been difficult finding Bryan's or Bryant's living in the UK who are willing to test.

Bryan, Bryon, Brian, Brien, Brienne, Brion

Bryant, Briant

Briendt - a variant found in north western France as early as 1624 and also seen in the Netherlands and Belgium.

It is likely the Bryan surname has roots in France and specifically the County of Brienne. The earliest mention of Brienne may have been from the Annals of Flodoard of Reims. It is believed Flodoard was born in the early 890’s, perhaps 893 or 894, probably at Épernay south of Reims, France. The annals were written each year beginning on Christmas day. The first annal was in the year 919. The annals end in the year 966 in which there is an abrupt end and it is assumed this is when Flodoard died. In the year 951, Flodoard writes “King Louis laid siege to the munitio of Brienne-la-Vielle, which had been fortified by the robbers Gotbertus and his brother Angilbertus.”

c1170 -  Jean de Brienne Died 23 Mar 1237, Constantinople.

before 1319 -  Guy de Bryan Walwyns Castle, Pembrokeshire, Wales. Died 17 Aug 1390, Gloucestershire.

c1490 - Sir Francis Bryan born in Buckinghamshire, died 2 Feb 1550, Clonmel, Ireland.

The FamilySearch website (Search Historical Records) has over 1 Million results for the surname Bryan and variants thereof. Their collections consist of BMD, census, migration & naturalization, military, probate & court, and a few misc records.

The Ancestry website (Ancestry.com Records Search) has almost 8 million results for the surname Bryan and variants therof. Their collections consist of historical records, family trees, stories & publications, and photos & maps.   

The Wikitree website (WikiTree Bryan Genealogy) has over 5,000 surname profiles for Bryan and almost 12,000 surname profiles for the surname Bryant.

See Family Tree DNA website for information on Y-chromosome tests. A Y-DNA test will generally give one (males only) a good idea of your surname (biologically). A 37 marker (number of STRs) test is usually sufficient to start.