McGin History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Ireland

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

Early Origins of the McGin family

The surname McGin 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 McGin family

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

McGin Spelling Variations

The recording of names in Ireland during the Middle Ages was an inconsistent endeavor at best. Since the general population did not know how to read or write, they could only specify how their names should be recorded orally. Research into the name McGin revealed spelling variations, including Finn, O'Finn, Maginn, Fynn, O'Fynn and others.

Early Notables of the McGin family

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

McGin migration to the United States +

A great mass of Ireland's native population left the island in the 19th century, seeking relief from various forms of social, religious, and economic discrimination. This Irish exodus was primarily to North America. If the migrants survived the long ocean journey, many unfortunately would find more discrimination in the colonies of British North America and the fledgling United States of America. These newly arrived Irish were, however, wanted as a cheap source of labor for the many large agricultural and industrial projects that were essential to the development of what would become two of the wealthiest nations in the western world. Early immigration and passenger lists indicate many people bearing the McGin name:

McGin Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Eliza McGin, who landed in America in 1805 3
Mary McGin, who landed in America in 1805 3
Samuel McGin, who arrived in America in 1805 3
William McGin, who landed in America in 1805 3
John McGin, aged 21, who arrived in Mobile, Ala in 1858 3

McGin migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

McGin Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Mr. George McGin U.E. who settled in Ernest Town [Ernestown], Lennox & Addington, Ontario c. 1784 4

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)
Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X