Magin History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Ireland

The Irish surname Magin originally appeared in Gaelic as Ó Finn, from the word "fionn," which means "fair." 1

Early Origins of the Magin family

The surname Magin 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 Magin family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Magin research. Another 144 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1020 and 1369 are included under the topic Early Magin History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Magin Spelling Variations

Many spelling variations of the surname Magin can be found in the archives. One reason for these variations is that ancient scribes and church officials recorded names as they were pronounced, often resulting in a single person being recorded under several different spellings. The different spellings that were found include Finn, O'Finn, Maginn, Fynn, O'Fynn and others.

Early Notables of the Magin family

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

Magin migration to the United States +

Irish 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 Magin name:

Magin Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

William Magin, aged 26, who landed in Connecticut in 1812 3
M Magin, aged 24, who arrived in New York, NY in 1850 3
Charles Magin, who landed in St Clair County, Illinois in 1856 3
Jose Magin, who arrived in Puerto Rico in 1896 3

Magin migration to Australia +

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

Magin Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. Peter Magin, (b. 1812), aged 23, English labourer who was convicted in Lancaster, Lancashire, England for life for stealing, transported aboard the "Aurora" on 18th June 1835, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 4

Magin 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:

Magin Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Elizabeth Magin, aged 20, a servant, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Dorette" in 1874 5
Miss Elizabeth Magin, (b. 1854), aged 20, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Dorette" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 14th April 1874 6

Contemporary Notables of the name Magin (post 1700) +

Rhys Magin (b. 1989), Australian rules footballer who played for Essendon in 2009
Milosz Magin (1929-1999), Polish composer and pianist
Alik Magin, Australian rules footballer who played for the Gold Coast Suns (2011-2012)
Magin Catalá (1761-1830), Spanish Catholic missionary to Mexico

Citations +

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
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 20th August 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/aurora
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 5th November 2010). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html