Bryan is a popular surname with origins in Ireland and England. The name is derived from the Old Celtic word “bre” which means “hill” or “high place.” It was often used to refer to someone who lived on a hill or a person of high social status. Famous Bryans include actor Bryan Cranston and musician Bryan Adams. The name has also been used as a first name, most notably by poet and playwright William Shakespeare for his character Bryan in “The Two Noble Kinsmen.”
