Show ContentsConnin History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The surname Connin comes from the Irish surname Ó Cuanain (O'Conein and MacConein) and is derived from the Irish Cuinin for "rabbit", son of Dugal. They claim descendancy through the Donnelly line of the native Irish. 1

Early Origins of the Connin family

The surname Connin was first found in County Tipperary (Irish: Thiobraid Árann), established in the 13th century in South-central Ireland, in the province of Munster, where Isaac O Cuanain was Bishop of Roscrea from 1161 to 1168. But the name was scattered throughout Ireland, some bearers being recorded in Kildare and the surrounding counties in the 16th century.

Bearers of the name Connin were also present in County Sligo, where O'Cunane was a principal Irish name in the census of 1659. The two baronies of County Leitrim which border County Sligo, had the name O'Conan listed in the same census.

Early History of the Connin family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Connin research. Another 62 words (4 lines of text) covering the year 1666 is included under the topic Early Connin History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Connin Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Conan, Coonan, Coonane, O'Conan, O'Cunane and others.

Early Notables of the Connin family

More information is included under the topic Early Connin Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Australia Connin migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Connin Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Paddy Connin, aged 19, a labourer, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Sea Queen" in 1850 2
  • Mary Connin, aged 25, a servant, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Sea Queen" in 1850 2

New Zealand Connin migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Connin Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • William Connin, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840


  1. MacLysaght, Edward, Irish Families Their Names, Arms and Origins 4th Edition. Dublin: Irish Academic, 1982. Print. (ISBN 0-7165-2364-7)
  2. State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) SEA QUEEN 1850. Retrieved http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1850SeaQueen.htm


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