BRESLIN Family History

This interesting surname is of Irish origin and is the Anglicization of the Gaelic O' Breaslain, possibly a derivation of the Gaelic word "bres" meaning strife, Breslin, although originally prefixed with "O", (denoting descendant of) is seldom found in modern times in this form. It is primarily a Donegal name, and the sept of O' Breislein, a branch of the Cenel Enda, possessed a district in the barony of Kilmacrenan called Fanad, where they were powerful chiefs, mentioned frequently in the Annals of the Four Masters.