Niall Noígíallach

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Niall Noigiallach, a seminal figure in early Irish history, is the seventh great-grandson of Conn Cetchathach and Eithne Thaebfhota ('of the Long Side'), daughter of King Cathair Mor. Eithne is described as a remarkable woman who became queen to two kings of different generations.

According to tradition, Conn and Eithne had four known children:

- Art mac Cuinn, married Achtan and fathered Cormac mac Airt.

- Connla, who departed with a fairy woman.

- Sadb ingen Chuinn, 1st married Macnia mac Lugdach (mother of Lugaid mac Con), then Ailill Aulom (mother of Eogan Mor).

- Cormac mac Airt, with Eithne Ollamda, fathered Cairbre Lifechair, who with Aine (daughter of Fionn Mac Cumhaill) bore Fiacha Sroiptine and Eochaid Doimlen.

Fiacha Sroiptine's son, Muiredach Tirech, fathered Colla Uais, Colla Fo Chri, and Colla Menn. Together, they established the Airgialla confederation - a medieval over-kingdom made up of nine independent minor kingdoms. These kingdoms paid nominal allegiance to an overking, most often from the dominant dynasty.

Airgialla at its peak encompassed areas of modern Counties Armagh, Monaghan, Louth, Fermanagh, Tyrone, and Londonderry, with Armagh and Clogher as major towns. Its cultural legacy endures in southeastern Ulster and parts of County Louth.

Eochaid Mugmedon, son of Muiredach Tirech, had children with two women:

- With Mongfind: Brion, Fiachrae, and Ailill and then with Cairenn: Niall Noigiallach and Fergus.

Niall Noigiallach, from whom the Ui Neill dynasties descend, became one of Ireland's most enduring High Kings. His title, 'of the Nine Hostages,' reflects his broad political reach, with hostages taken from across Ireland and Britain.

My ancestry reconnects with this lineage through Donough O'Quin of Kilmallock, County Limerick, the 123rd name in the Lords of Thomond pedigree. From this point, genetic atDNA testing confirms shared ancestry with the families of the Earls of Dunraven and Mount Earl, supported by documented matches to their wives' maiden names.

These surnames may not sound like Quinn but are genetically or clan-associated with the same Irish tribes or septs:

• O’Brien – of the Dalcassians, same group as the Clare Quinns.
• MacNamara, O’Grady, Moloney – all related Dalcassian families.
• McInerney – another Dalcassian family near the Quinns of Inchiquin.
• O'Neill - The O’Neill surname is one of the most famous and historically significant names in Irish history. It derives from a powerful and ancient Gaelic dynasty that produced kings, warriors, and nobles who shaped the political and cultural landscape of Ireland for over a millennium.

• Irish form: Ó Néill
• Meaning: "Descendant of Niall"
• The name is derived from Niall Noígíallach (Niall of the Nine Hostages), a legendary 5th-century High King of Ireland and progenitor of the Uí Néill dynasty.
• The name Niall likely means "champion" or "cloud."

• One of the most dominant Gaelic dynasties in Ireland, claiming descent from Niall Noígíallach where their surname evolved from Cuinn is divided into two branches:  
  • Northern Uí Néill – centered in Ulster, particularly in modern Tyrone (Tír Eoghain) and Donegal.
  • Southern Uí Néill – influential in Meath, Westmeath, and parts of Leinster.
  • The O’Neills of Tyrone
• Became Kings of Tír Eoghain (Tyrone) and High Kings of Ireland at various times.
• Hugh O’Neill, Earl of Tyrone (1550–1616) was one of the most prominent leaders of Irish resistance during the Nine Years' War against English rule. His defeat led to the Flight of the Earls in 1607 and marked the end of Gaelic aristocracy in Ireland.

• After the Flight of the Earls, much O’Neill land was confiscated in the Plantation of Ulster, part of England’s colonization of Ireland.
• The O’Neill legacy lived on in Irish nationalism and romanticized history.

• Ulster: Especially County Tyrone, Armagh, and Donegal – stronghold of the O’Neills.
• Leinster and Midlands: Related Uí Néill families (especially the Southern Uí Néill) had deep influence in Meathand surrounding counties.
• Some O’Neill families also settled in Munster later in history.

Due to anglicization and regional dialects, several variants exist:Variant Notes O’Neill Standard modern Irish version O'Neal Common in the U.S. and Britain.  Neill, Often a shortened form Neal / Neale / Neill / McNeill. Related names; McNeill especially in Scotland and parts of Ulster as Ó Néill Original Gaelic, spelling Ua Néill Older Gaelic form used in medieval texts.

Today, Quinn is a very common surname in Ireland, especially in Ulster and Clare, and it spread significantly through emigration to the United States, Canada, Australia, and Britain.