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history of quinn

Journal by luvdoctor

Quinn is the anglicized form of the Gaelic O'Cuinn, the name for a number of distinct septs or clans to be found around Ireland. O'Cuinn itself comes from the Irish word conn, meaning "counsel" and generally describing a wise man or a man of high intelligence. Niall O'Cuinn, who died at the battle of Clondarf in 1014, was the first in the Quinn clans to use the surname.



It has been said in Ireland that Catholics generally spell their name "Quinn," while Protestants spell it "Quin."



Ireland. The O'Quinns of Loughinsholin were based primarily in Tyrone. They were close to the O'Niells, acting at times as their hereditary physicians and foster parents to their sons. They held good land and prospered. However, the English encroachments into Tyrone were beginning in Elizabethan times. An English commander boasted in 1600:





"The last service was upon Patrick O'Quinn, one of the chief men of Tyrone, dwelling within four miles of Dungannon and fearing nothing, but we lighted upon him and killed him, his wife, sons, daughters, servants and followers being many and burnt all to the ground."





It was Cromwell who dealt the fatal blow forty years later, routing an army led by Owen and Neil O'Quinn and confiscating land for Protestant planters. The O'Quinns remained within the barony of Dungannon.



Another O'Quinn clan, of Clanndeboy, claimed descent from Congalagh O'Cuinn who had been killed by the English in 1219. They were based further east in the Glens of Antrim. The English and Scottish planters were also arriving there. Neil Oge O'Quinn, a tenant of an English lord at Lissan, led a revolt in 1614, but this too was put down.



The Quins that were descended from the Hy Ifearnan clan had originally been in county Clare, but were driven out from there into Limerick by the O'Briens. Valentine Quin built the first Quin Manor at Adare on the river Maigue in 1730. His family converted from Catholicism to Protestantism in 1739 and it was no coincidence that they subsequently became one of the few families of Gaelic origin to ascend, as the Earls of Dunraven, into the Irish peerage. Perhaps the most flamboyant of these Quins was Wyndham Quin, the fourth Earl. Adare Manor was sold by the family in 1984 and now operates as one of Ireland's prestige hotels.



There has been a more modern Quinn dynasty from county Armagh:



"The first supermarket in Newry was Quinn?s the Milestone on Hill Street, founded by John Quinn from Lisnacree. His family included Ruairi Quinn, former leader of the Irish Labour Party and Irish Finance Minister, as well as Fearghal Quinn, head of the Superquinn chain, and the late Dr Padraig Quinn who fought in the Irish War of Independence."



Today Quinns are found throughout Ireland, but the greater numbers are in Tyrone (where it is the most common name today) and in Antrim.



England. An early arrival in London was the Dublin-born poet Walter Quin who became the tutor and lifelong friend of the monarch Charles I. His son James was expelled from Oxford for his royalist views, but then was reinstated after he had apparently charmed the uncharming Oliver Cromwell with his "fine singing voice." However, his grandson Mark Quin had a less happy outcome. A century later another James Quin of this family graced the London stage with his performances of Falstaff, if "graced" is the appropriate word

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by luvdoctor Profile | Research | Contact | Subscribe | Block this user
on 2011-04-22 16:55:50

luvdoctor , from scotland uk , has been a Family Tree Circles member since Apr 2011. is researching the following names: QUINN, PAUL.

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Comments

by janilye on 2011-04-23 02:47:22

I think you've helped me out by talking about the Quin Quinn names. I have a William Joseph Quinn born in Limerick 1814 died Australia 1889
He was Married on 4 May 1811 at St.Michaels Church Limerick in Denmark Street, just off the junction of O'Connell Street and Patrick Street, which first opened in 1781 and replaced the original parish church of St. Michael, which had been destroyed by the Cromwellians in 1651. Now his father was James QUIN 1786-1811 birth and death both registered at St.Michaels and I could never figure out whether his name should be 1 N or 2 and researchers differed. Now I suppose it must be 2 N's
This is William Quinn's marriage details
- 1833 : from Certificate of Marriage, Parish of St Michael, Limerick : "William Quinn and Maria Moore were married in the Church of St Michael Limerick according to the Rite of the Catholic Church on the 9th day of June 1833. The Witnesses were John Moore and John Keane. Rev.Robert Cussen, celebrant."

Thank you very much, Jan

by luvdoctor on 2011-04-23 07:09:18

jan am glad i could help out and answer a few questions u had in your head i have a page on facebook as well that am researching into quinn and other connections that maybe connected to the surname quinn
heres the link to my page on facebook
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Quinn/166512230071352

by janilye on 2011-04-23 16:04:31

thank you

by janilye on 2011-04-23 17:18:55

For those interested in the source of the above journal. Clan Quinn of Ireland is the web site of Patty Quinn and is years old, her last update seems to be about 2006

by luvdoctor on 2011-04-23 17:31:51

its not just abt clan quinn its a history of quinns and may form a good basis on a lot of things questions and answers that most people arent aware of

by janilye on 2011-04-23 17:54:14

I'm aware of that Mr.luvdoctor. I've looked at the site. All I'm saying is if you are going to copy and paste a journal we would all like to be aware of the source so we may all view it.

by Cregancastle on 2022-05-11 00:57:19

Mary Quin and J.Ceegan, Creegan,

by Cregancastle on 2022-05-11 00:57:21

Mary Quin and J.Ceegan, Creegan,

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