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![Show Contents]() Magginn History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
 Ireland
The Irish surname Magginn originally appeared in Gaelic as Ó Finn, from the word "fionn," which means "fair." 1 Early Origins of the Magginn familyThe surname Magginn 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 Magginn familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Magginn research. Another 144 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1020 and 1369 are included under the topic Early Magginn History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Magginn Spelling VariationsThe Middle Ages saw a great number of spelling variations for surnames common to the Irish landscape. One reason for these variations is the fact that surnames were not rigidly fixed by this period. The following variations for the name Magginn were encountered in the archives: Finn, O'Finn, Maginn, Fynn, O'Fynn and others. Early Notables of the Magginn familyMore information is included under the topic Early Magginn Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Magginn familyIn 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 Magginn family came to North America quite early: 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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