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![Show Contents]() O'Fyn History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
 Ireland
The Irish surname O'Fyn originally appeared in Gaelic as Ó Finn, from the word "fionn," which means "fair." 1 Early Origins of the O'Fyn familyThe surname O'Fyn was first found in County Sligo (Irish: Sligeach), in the province of Connacht in Northwestern Ireland, where they held a family seat from ancient times. One of the first records of the name was Aed Ó Finn, an Irish musician who died 1269. His obituary listed him as a master of music and minstrelsy. Saint and Bishop Finn Barr (d. 623), of Cork, was son of Amergin, of the tribe of Ui Briuin Hatha of Connaught, who were descended from Eochaidh Muidmheadhon, brother of Olioll Olum, king of Munster. 2 Cumine Ailbhe or Finn (657?-669?), was seventh Abbot of Hy, the son of Ernan, son of Fiachna, of the race of Conall Gulban. "The term 'ailbhe' is explained as albus, or fair, in the 'Annals of Ulster,' and more fully in an ancient poem quoted in Reeves's 'Adamnan,' where he is referred to as 'Cumine of fair hair.' " 2 Early History of the O'Fyn familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our O'Fyn research. Another 144 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1020 and 1369 are included under the topic Early O'Fyn History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. O'Fyn Spelling VariationsThose scribes in Ireland during the Middle Ages recorded names as they sounded. Consequently, in this era many people were recorded under different spellings each time their name was written down. Research on the O'Fyn family name revealed numerous spelling variations, including Finn, O'Finn, Maginn, Fynn, O'Fynn and others. Early Notables of the O'Fyn familyMore information is included under the topic Early O'Fyn Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the O'Fyn familyDuring the 19th century thousands of impoverished Irish families made the long journey to British North America and the United States. These people were leaving a land that had become beset with poverty, lack of opportunity, and hunger. In North America, they hoped to find land, work, and political and religious freedoms. Although the majority of the immigrants that survived the long sea passage did make these discoveries, it was not without much perseverance and hard work: by the mid-19th century land suitable for agriculture was short supply, especially in British North America, in the east; the work available was generally low paying and physically taxing construction or factory work; and the English stereotypes concerning the Irish, although less frequent and vehement, were, nevertheless, present in the land of freedom, liberty, and equality for all men. The largest influx of Irish settlers occurred with Great Potato Famine during the late 1840s. Research into passenger and immigration lists has brought forth evidence of the early members of the O'Fyn family in North America: Teage Finn, who arrived at Bristol, RI in 1679; John and Philip Finn, who both came to Virginia in 1698; Hannah Finn, who is on record in Boston in 1744.
- MacLysaght, Edward, The Surnames of Ireland. Ireland: Irish Academic Press, sixth edition, 1985. Print. (ISBN 0-7165-2366-3)
- Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
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