O'Lynn History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Ireland

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

Early Origins of the O'Lynn family

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

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

O'Lynn Spelling Variations

Pronunciation, rather than spelling, guided scribes and church officials when recording names during the Middle Ages. This practice often resulted in one person's name being recorded under several different spellings. Numerous spelling variations of the surname O'Lynn are preserved in these old documents. The various spellings of the name that were found include Flynn, O'Flynn, Flinn, Lynn, O'Lynn, O'Linn and many more.

Early Notables of the O'Lynn family

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

Migration of the O'Lynn family

A massive amount of Ireland's native population left the island in the 19th century for North America and Australia in hopes of finding more opportunities and an escape from discrimination and oppression. A great portion of these migrants arrived on the eastern shores of the North American continent. Although they were generally poor and destitute, and, therefore, again discriminated against, these Irish people were heartily welcomed for the hard labor involved in the construction of railroads, canals, roadways, and buildings. Many others were put to work in the newly established factories or agricultural projects that were so essential to the development of what would become two of the wealthiest nations in the world. The Great Potato Famine during the late 1840s initiated the largest wave of Iris immigration. Early North American immigration and passenger lists have revealed a number of people bearing the name O'Lynn or a variant listed above: 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)