Surname Quinn - Meaning and Origin

Discovering the Celtic, Eastern European, and Scandinavian Origins of My Quinn Ancestors Through DNA Testing

Unraveling my familial mysteries through iGENEA’s DNA test, I was met with a plethora of unexpected insights, changing my perception about my ancestral roots. From the Celtic roots of my Quinn ancestors to surprising Scandinavian connections, the results have greatly enhanced my self-understanding.

P. Quinn

Quinn: What does the surname Quinn mean?

The surname Quinn is of Irish-origin, derived from the Irish Gaelic O'Cuinn, which translates to "descendant of Conn." The name 'Conn' itself means "chief" or "wisdom". So, the surname can be understood as "descendant of the wise chief." Traditionally, it was a well-established and powerful family name, especially in the province of Ulster and counties of Tyrone, Antrim, and Clare. The Quinns were renowned for their leadership, insight, and knowledge, embodying the meaning of their surname. This name also has connections to the words ‘counsel’ and ‘intelligence’. It's important to note that the spelling variations of the surname, such as O'Quinn, Quin, and Quinne, share the same meaning and heritage. Today, the surname Quinn is common worldwide due to Irish emigration, especially in countries like the United States, Australia, Canada, and the UK.

Quinn: Where does the name Quinn come from?

The last name Quinn is of Irish origin and is derived from the native Gaelic O'Cuinn Septs. The name means 'descendant of Conn', with Conn meaning 'wisdom' or 'chief.' It was first found in Longford, a county in the Irish Midlands, where they held a family seat from ancient times.

Over time, due to emigration driven by political unrest, economic hardship, and opportunities abroad, Quinn has spread to become common in various parts of the world. It is particularly prevalent in English-speaking countries such as Ireland, the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia. In the United States, for example, it's mostly concentrated in New York, Pennsylvania, and California. In Ireland, it remains common, particularly in counties Tyrone, Antrim, and Clare. Despite the wide reach of the Quinn surname today, Ireland remains its original homeland.

Variations of the surname Quinn

Quinn is an Irish surname derived from the Gaelic "O'Cuinn" meaning "descendant of Conn." Variations and spellings of the name could include Quin, O'Quinn, O'Quin, Quinne, Quynn, Quyn, and McQuinn. These different spellings stem from historical records where surnames were written based on how they sounded, leading to multiple versions. Anglicised forms of the name may also exist such as Queen and Quean, influenced by British rules that commonly enforced English spellings on Irish names.

There are also Scottish equivalents of this surname like MacCuinn as it was adopted by a branch of Scottish Highlanders in the translation of the Gaelic 'MacCuinn'.

Sometimes, the prefix "O'" or "Mc" may be dropped, making another variation of the surname. Finally, the name can sometimes be derived from the Cornish surname Gwinn or Gwyn, meaning "white" or "blessed", which may not have direct links to the Irish "O'Cuinn" but can be considered a surname of similar origin.

Quinn is a fairly common name in the English-speaking world today, making it possible to find even more variants and spellings in different regions.

Famous people with the name Quinn

• Molly Quinn: An American actress known for her role on the TV series "Castle."
• Aidan Quinn: An American actor known for his role in films like "Legends of the Fall" and "Benny & Joon."
• Patricia Quinn: A Northern Irish actress famous for her role in "The Rocky Horror Picture Show."
• Glenn Quinn: An Irish actor known for his roles in "Roseanne" and "Angel."
• Anthony Quinn: A Mexican-American actor, painter, and writer who won numerous awards for his performances in "Zorba the Greek" and "Lust for Life."
• Colin Quinn: An American stand-up comedian and writer who starred on "Saturday Night Live."
• Niall Quinn: A former Irish footballer and sports commentator.
• Ray Quinn: An English actor, singer, and dancer known for his role in the British soap opera "Brookside."
• Sally Quinn: An American author and journalist who was a long-time reporter for The Washington Post.
• Marc Quinn: A contemporary visual artist from the United Kingdom.
• Deirdre Quinn: CEO of Lafayette 148 New York, a luxury fashion brand.
• Edmond Thomas Quinn: An American sculptor known for his public monuments.
• Kevin Quinn: An American actor and singer known for his role in the Disney Channel original series "Bunk'd."

Other surnames

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