Flinn History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms 

Origins Available: 
  Ireland 


Today's Irish surnames are underpinned by a multitude of rich histories. The name Flinn originally appeared in Gaelic as Ó Floinn, which is derived from the word "flann," which means "ruddy." 1

Early Origins of the Flinn family

The surname Flinn was first found in Tuitre (now Antrim,) where they were Lords of Tuitre. 2 However, the Flinn surname arose independently in several parts of Ireland. Perhaps the oldest line were a Sept of Ó Floin in Armagh, Ulster, where they were a senior branch of Clanna Rury of Ulidia, claiming descent from King Colla Uais, the famed 4th century Irish King, who in turn was descended from the Heremon royal line.

The family claim descent from "Flann ("flann:" Irish blood), meaning "the man with the red complexion:" his son; a quo O'Flainn, and the name of the mountain Sliabh-ui-Fhloinn. Feah O'Flynn; his son; the first of the family that assumed the sirname." 2

Early History of the Flinn family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Flinn research. Another 150 words (11 lines of text) covering the year 1255 is included under the topic Early Flinn History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Flinn Spelling Variations

A name was often recorded during the Middle Ages under several different spelling variations during the life of its bearer because literacy was rare there was no real push to clearly define any of the languages found in the British Isles at that time. Variations found of the name Flinn include Flynn, O'Flynn, Flinn, Lynn, O'Lynn, O'Linn and many more.

Early Notables of the Flinn family

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

Flinn Ranking

In the United States, the name Flinn is the 6,816th most popular surname with an estimated 4,974 people with that name. 3


Flinn migration to the United States +

In the 19th century, thousands of Irish left their English-occupied homeland for North America. Like most new world settlers, the Irish initially settled on the eastern shores of the continent but began to move westward with the promise of owning land. The height of this Irish migration came during the Great Potato Famine of the late 1840s. With apparently nothing to lose, Irish people left on ships bound for North America and Australia. Unfortunately a great many of these passengers lost their lives - the only thing many had left - to disease, starvation, and accidents during the long and dangerous journey. Those who did safely arrive in "the land of opportunities" were often used for the hard labor of building railroads, coal mines, bridges, and canals. The Irish were critical to the quick development of the infrastructure of the United States and Canada. Passenger and immigration lists indicate that members of the Flinn family came to North America quite early:

Flinn Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
Flinn Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Flinn migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Flinn Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Flinn migration to Australia +

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

Flinn Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Flinn 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:

Flinn Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Contemporary Notables of the name Flinn (post 1700) +
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