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![Show Contents]() O'Fynn History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
 Ireland
The Irish surname O'Fynn originally appeared in Gaelic as Ó Finn, from the word "fionn," which means "fair." 1 Early Origins of the O'Fynn familyThe surname O'Fynn 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'Fynn familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our O'Fynn research. Another 144 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1020 and 1369 are included under the topic Early O'Fynn History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. O'Fynn Spelling VariationsPeople who were accounted for by scribes and church officials often had their name recorded many different ways because pronunciation was the only guide those scribes and church officials had to go by. This resulted in the problem of one person's name being recorded under several different variations, creating the illusion of more than one person. Among the many spelling variations of the surname O'Fynn that are preserved in archival documents are Finn, O'Finn, Maginn, Fynn, O'Fynn and others. Early Notables of the O'Fynn familyMore information is included under the topic Early O'Fynn Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the O'Fynn familyIrish families left their homeland in astonishing numbers during the 19th century in search of a better life. Although individual reasons vary, most of these Irish families suffered from extreme poverty, lack of work opportunities, and exorbitant rents in their homeland. Many decided to travel to Australia or North America in the hopes of finding greater opportunities and land. The Irish immigrants that came to North America initially settled on the East Coast, often in major centers such as Boston or New York. But like the many other cultures to settle in North America, the Irish traveled to almost any region they felt held greater promise; as a result, many Irish with gold fever moved all the way out to the Pacific coast. Others before that time left for land along the St. Lawrence River and the Niagara Peninsula, or the Maritimes as United Empire Loyalists, for many Irish did choose to side with the English during the American War of Independence. The earliest wave of Irish migration, however, occurred during the Great Potato Famine of the 1840s. An examination of early immigration and passenger lists has revealed many people bearing the O'Fynn name: 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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