Quinlyn History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Ireland

Etymology of Quinlyn

What does the name Quinlyn mean?

Irish surnames are all based on the Gaelic language native to Ireland. The original Gaelic form of the name Quinlyn is Ó Caoinleain or Ó Caoindealbhain.

Early Origins of the Quinlyn family

The surname Quinlyn was first found in County Meath (Irish: An Mhí) anciently part of the kingdom of Brega, located in Eastern Ireland, in the province of Leinster, where they held a family seat from very ancient times.

Early History of the Quinlyn family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Quinlyn research. Another 91 words (6 lines of text) covering the year 1172 is included under the topic Early Quinlyn History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Quinlyn Spelling Variations

A name was often recorded during the Middle Ages under several different spelling variations during the life of its bearer because literacy was rare there was no real push to clearly define any of the languages found in the British Isles at that time. Variations found of the name Quinlyn include Quinlan, O'Quinlan, O'Quinlevan, O'Quinlivan and many more.

Early Notables of the Quinlyn family

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

Migration of the Quinlyn family

Ireland became inhospitable for many native Irish families in the 19th centuries. Poverty, lack of opportunities, high rents, and discrimination forced thousands to leave the island for North America. The largest exodus of Irish settlers occurred with the Great Potato Famine of the late 1840s. For these immigrants the journey to British North America and the United States was long and dangerous and many did not live to see the shores of those new lands. Those who did make it were essential to the development of what would become two of the wealthiest and most powerful nations of the world. These Irish immigrants were not only important for peopling the new settlements and cities, they also provided the manpower needed for the many industrial and agricultural projects so essential to these growing nations. Immigration and passenger lists have documented the arrival of various people bearing the name Quinlyn to North America: John Quinlan who arrived in Quebec in 1825 with Margaret his wife and five children; Mary Quinland and her husband settled in Charleston in 1803; James, John, Mary, Michael, Patrick, Thomas and William Quinlan all arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania between 1800 and 1840.

The Quinlyn Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: True to the end