O'Flin History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Ireland

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

Early Origins of the O'Flin family

The surname O'Flin was first found in Tuitre (now Antrim,) where they were Lords of Tuitre. 2 However, the O'Flin 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 O'Flin family

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

O'Flin Spelling Variations

Irish names were rarely spelled consistently in the Middle Ages. Spelling variations of the name O'Flin dating from that time include Flynn, O'Flynn, Flinn, Lynn, O'Lynn, O'Linn and many more.

Early Notables of the O'Flin family

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

Migration of the O'Flin family

The 19th century saw a great wave of Irish families leaving Ireland for the distant shores of North America and Australia. These families often left their homeland hungry, penniless, and destitute due to the policies of England. Those Irish immigrants that survived the long sea passage initially settled on the eastern seaboard of the continent. Some, however, moved north to a then infant Canada as United Empire Loyalists after ironically serving with the English in the American War of Independence. Others that remained in America later joined the westward migration in search of land. The greatest influx of Irish immigrants, though, came to North America during the Great Potato Famine of the late 1840s. Thousands left Ireland at this time for North America, and those who arrived were immediately put to work building railroads, coal mines, bridges, and canals. In fact, the foundations of today's powerful nations of the United States and Canada were to a larger degree built by the Irish. Archival documents indicate that members of the O'Flin family relocated to North American shores quite early: Barnard Flinn who settled in America in 1762; Andrew Flinn settled in New York State in 1803; the Flinns also settled in Georgia, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Maryland, and in Canada in 1847. The Flynns also settled in the above states from 1772 to 1876..

Citations +

MacLysaght, Edward, Supplement to Irish Families. Baltimore: Genealogical Book Company, 1964. Print.
O'Hart, John, Irish Pedigrees 5th Edition in 2 Volumes. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Company, 1976. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0737-4)