O'Flyn History, Family Crest & Coats of ArmsToday's Irish surnames are underpinned by a multitude of rich histories. The name O'Flyn originally appeared in Gaelic as Ó Floinn, which is derived from the word "flann," which means "ruddy." 1 Early Origins of the O'Flyn familyThe surname O'Flyn was first found in Tuitre (now Antrim,) where they were Lords of Tuitre. 2 However, the O'Flyn 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'Flyn familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our O'Flyn research. Another 150 words (11 lines of text) covering the year 1255 is included under the topic Early O'Flyn History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. O'Flyn 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 O'Flyn were encountered in the archives: Flynn, O'Flynn, Flinn, Lynn, O'Lynn, O'Linn and many more. Early Notables of the O'Flyn familyProminent amongst the family at this time was
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 O'Flyn family came to North America quite early: O'Flyn Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
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