I have found something that may have been of some relevance.
Quote:
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In Bonedd Yr Arwyr, Bran is made both of paternal and maternal ancestor of Arthur
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Grim and tall he was, and an expert marksman, not unlike his father and his grandfather, and their ancestors of the line of Girion? But anyway, as is I can't find much more linking the two, Bran the Blessed and Brand son of Bain.
The name Bran does indeed come up thrice more in old myth and legend, and here is how.
1. Bran, the famous Hound of Finn
2. Bran, the Irish hero who was lured
away to the isle of women, a paradise.
3. Bran, the Blessed, who was so giant
he could fit in no house, and was a fallen
god, possessing a magic cauldron.
The only one that remotely fits the description of Brand, son of Bain, son of Bard, of the line of Girion, lord of Dale, would be Bran #2, the Irish hero. But of course, there is no mytho-historical link at all between them, as there was with Beorn and Beowulf, or of the Great Bear King.
So far all the evidence points only to a connection between his name, and possibly the link between the early Germanic tribes cultures, and those of Dale.
Another connection between old Celtic myth and that of Bran, is the fact that according to many encyclopedias on the subject, Bran was the sea-god and god of sailors. Of course, this COULD connect with Brand and Laketown, but that is very, very doubtful.
Somewhere else it makes mention of a Wolfhound called Bran, who was very great and was actually cousin to a great warrior. Still no good link, however. I think I may have burst mine own bubble, so to speak. But I still don't doubt a small connection if only the meaning of the name Brand and the good ravens of the lonely mountain.