Meaning and history
Byrne is an Irish surname used occasionally as a given name. It is an Anglicized form of Ó Broin, meaning “descendant of Bran.” The older personal name Bran means “raven,” a bird prominent in Celtic naming and legend. Because Byrne began as a family name, its use as a first name generally reflects surname traditions rather than a separate meaning. A notable bearer was American actor and drama teacher Byrne Piven, father of actor Jeremy Piven.