The Enigma of Loftin Quinn

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Quinn is an Anglicized form of Cuinn, Ó Coinn or Coyne and Mac Cuinn. Meaning literally descendant of Conn.

The surnames are found in Ulster and also in the counties of Clare, Longford, and Mayo. The O'Quin lines are alleged to be a part of the Conmaicne Rein tribe that descend from the Erainn tribe who were the second wave of Celts to settle in Ireland from about 100 BC, although this is invalid as my yDNA markers and matches reveal.

Art mac Cuinn ("son of Conn"), also known as Art Óenfer (literally "one man"), was a High King of Ireland. Art’s siblings were Connla and Crionna, who were killed by their uncle Eochaid Finn. Art is the first bearer of his father’s name.

The name is a possessive noun, such as Leath Cuinn (Conn's Half) and Leath Moga (Mug's half) and are ancient divisions of Ireland. The mythical line corresponds to the Esker Riada running east–west from Dublin Bay to Galway Bay. The eponymous Conn and Mug were Conn Cétchathach (Conn of the Hundred Battles) and Éogan Mór Mug Nuadat (the Servant of Nuada), whose armies in 123 AD fought the battle of Mag Lena or the Plain of Lena, in what is now County Offaly between Tullamore and Durrow.

At Mag Lena, the army of Conn, the High King of Ireland lost the battle and Mug Nuadat, the king of Munster, Conn was then forced to cede the southern half of Ireland. Thereafter the provinces of Ireland were grouped as Leath Cuinn, or (Conn's Half in the north) that comprised Connacht, Ulster and Meath.  Then Leath Moga (Mug Nuadat's Half, the south) which comprised Munster, including Osraighe and Leinster. To solidify the arrangement, Conn's daughter Sadb was married to Ailill Aulom, son of Mug Nuadat. Their son was Éogan Oge Mór, founder of the Eóganachta dynasty that ruled Munster.

Conn was the ancestor of the dynasties of the Connachta which are named after him and later as eponymous overlords of Connacht with their northern offshoots being the Uí Néill of whose descendants drove the Ulaid out of west Ulster, while the Southern Uí Néill took most of Meath.

Niall Noígíallach, or Niall of the Nine Hostages, was a legendary, semi-historical Irish king who was the ancestor of the Uí Néill dynasties that dominated Ireland from the 6th to the 10th centuries. Historical Irish annalistic and chronicle sources place his reign in the late 4th and early 5th centuries, but modern scholars date him about half a century later. 

Niall is presumed, based on the importance of his sons and grandsons, to have been a historical person, but the early Irish annals say little about him: The Annals of Inisfallen date his death before 382CE, and the Chronicon Scotorum to 411CE. The later Annals of the Four Masters dates his reign to 379–405CE, and the chronology of Geoffrey Keating's Foras Feasa ar Éirinn to 368–395CE.

However, the early annals record the activities of his sons between 429 and 516CE, an implausibly long period for a single generation, leading scholars like Kathleen Hughes and Francis J. Byrne conclude that the events of the later half of the 5th century have been extended backwards to accommodate as early a date as possible for the arrival of Saint Patrick, with the effect of pushing Niall back up to half a century. Hughes says "Niall himself must have died not before the middle of the fifth century".Byrne, following James Carney, is a little more precise, dating his death to c. 452CE.

Niall is placed in the traditional list of High Kings of Ireland. However, the traditional roll of kings and its chronology is now recognised as artificial. The High Kingship did not become a reality until the 9th century, and Niall's status has probably been inflated in line with the political importance of the dynasty he founded.

T. F. O'Rahilly argues that Niall and his sons were responsible for the breakup of the ancient kingdom of Ulster and the creation of the kingdoms of Tír Chonaill and Tír Eoghain, and the satellite kingdom of the Airgíalla.: 222–232  O'Rahilly and Byrne argue that the literary sources, though late and garbled, preserve genuine traditions that Niall led raids on Britain, and perhaps died on one.

Professor Dáithí Ó hÓgáin seems to indicate that Niall was probably a descendant of the Gaulish seafaring tribe of the Veneti, who originated in south-east Armorica (modern Brittany, France). Some of these sailors probably migrated to Cornwall, and later to south-eastern Ireland where they became known as the Venii and grew in power. They worshipped a ram god and sometimes called themselves Ghaisonli ('spear-men'), possibly to compete in propaganda with the Lagini ('lance-men').

The southern Venii came to be known as the Eoghanacht, while another group of them migrated north and formed a new kingdom west of the River Shannon where they became known as the Connachta after a revered leader named Conn. These Connachta later extended their power eastward into the plain of Meath, and under the leader Teutovalos Teachtmhar overthrew the kingship of the Lagini at Tara around 300CE.

As the Celtic language in Ireland transformed into Irish between 400–500CE, Venii became Féni, and were also known to have called themselves Gaídhil (from Common Celtic *wēdelos, Brythonic gwddel, Goidelic *wēdus to Old Irish Goídel—meaning savage woodsman, wild, raider). The Primitive Irish Vendo is a cognate with Finn, and the Fianna were landless, aristocratic young men and women who had not yet come into their inheritance of land. Niall, the son of Ivocatus Magumedonus ('Eochaidh the Slave-ruler'), came to lead the Connachta in the fifth century CE.

Brian Boru c. 941 – 23 April 1014 was the High King of Ireland from 1002 to 1014. He ended the domination of the High Kingship of Ireland by the Uí Néill, and is likely responsible for ending Viking invasions of Ireland. Brian Boru is mentioned in the Annals of Inisfallen and in Chronicon Scotorum as "Brian mac Cennétig" (Brian, son of Cennétig).The name Brian of Bóruma or Brian Boru was given to him posthumously. Brian built on the achievements of his father, Cennétig mac Lorcain, and especially his elder brother, Mathgamain. Brian first made himself king of Munster, then subjugated Leinster, eventually becoming High King of Ireland. He was the founder of the O'Brien dynasty, and is widely regarded as one of the most successful and unifying monarchs in medieval Ireland.

Brian Boru (c. 941 – 23 April 1014) was the High King of Ireland from 1002 to 1014CE. He ended the domination of the High Kingship of Ireland by the Uí Néill, and is likely responsible for ending Viking invasions of Ireland. Brian Boru is mentioned in the Annals of Inisfallen and in Chronicon Scotorum as "Brian mac Cennétig" (Brian, son of Cennétig).

The name Brian of Bóruma or Brian Boru was given to him posthumously. Brian built on the achievements of his father, Cennétig mac Lorcain, and especially his elder brother, Mathgamain. Brian first made himself King of Munster, then subjugated Leinster, eventually becoming High King of Ireland. He was the founder of the O'Brien dynasty, and is widely regarded as one of the most successful and unifying monarchs in medieval Ireland.

With a population of under 500,000 people, Ireland had over 150 kings, with greater or lesser domains. The Uí Néill King Máel Sechnaill mac Domnaill, abandoned by his northern kinsmen of the Cenél nEógain and Cenél Conaill, acknowledged Brian as High King at Athlone in 1002. In the decade that followed, Brian campaigned against the northern Uí Néill, who refused to accept his claims against Leinster, where resistance was frequent and against the Norse-Gaelic Kingdom of Dublin. Brian was described in the Annals of Ulster as ardrí Gaidhel Erenn & Gall & Bretan, Augustus iartair tuaiscirt Eorpa uile (High King of the Gaels of Ireland, the Norse foreigners, including the Britons, Augustus of all north-western Europe) was the only Irish king to receive that distinction in the annals.

Brian's hard won authority was seriously challenged in 1013 when his ally Máel Sechnaill was attacked by the Cenél nEógain King Flaithbertach Ua Néill, with the Ulstermen as his allies. This was followed by further attacks on Máel Sechnaill by the Germanic Norsemen of Dublin under their Norse king Sigtrygg Silkbeard and the Leinstermen led by Máel Mórda mac Murchada. Brian campaigned against these enemies in 1013. In 1014, his armies confronted the armies of Leinster and Dublin and Brian was killed In the resulting Battle of Clontarf. Brian’s army was victorious against the Leinstermen and Norsemen. 

The Norse-Gaels and Scandinavians also produced works mentioning Brian, including Nial’s Saga, the Orkneyinga Saga, and the now-lost Brian's Saga. Brian's war against Máel Mórda and Sigtrygg was to be inextricably connected with his complicated marital relations, in particular his marriage to Gormlaith, Máel Mórda's sister and Sigtrygg's mother, who had been in turn the wife of Amlaíb Cuarán, King of Dublin and York, then of Máel Sechnaill, and finally of Brian himself.

The Down Survey of Ireland was conducted between 1655 and 1656 by Sir William Petty, a physician, scientist, and administrator serving under the English Commonwealth. The purpose of the Down Survey was to create a detailed land survey for redistribution of Native Irish lands to English soldiers and creditors after the Cromwellian conquest of Ireland (1649–1653). Called the “Down” Survey because the results were laid down on paper in the first systematic cadastral survey in Western Europe. The Survey was commissioned by the English Parliament, under Oliver Cromwell and conducted by Sir William Petty and a team of surveyors that utilized chain and compass measurements. Within this survey we see that Quin is often identified as Catholics and Quinn as Protestants which is not always the rule. 

Below is the genealogy of Capt. Thady Quinn from the King James' Irish Army List by D'Alton 1689.

To assist you in discerning for yourself this ancient sept that is recognized in the native Annals from the earliest date of surnames are those of Ulster who commemorate amongst the heroes who fought at Clontarf in 1014, Neill or Niall Ó Cuinn. Widely spreading over Ireland this family held territory in Limerick, Clare, Longford, Westmeath, Wicklow and Derry. In the first County the name has later been ennobled, with the titles of Barons Adare and Earls of Dunraven.

• In 1095, died of the plague Augustin O’Quinn, Chief Brehon of Leinster
• In 1188, Edwina, commemorated as ‘daughter of O’Quin of Muinter-Iffernan in Thomond (Clare), and Queen of Munster,’ died in her pilgrimage at Derry, ‘victorious over the world and the devil.’ 
• In 1252, Thomas O’Quin was Bishop of Clonmacnoise, as was John Quin of Limerick in 1505. 
• The Patent Rolls record pardons to Thomas O‘Cuin in 1318
• To Maolmurry O’Coigne of Castlemartin in 1395
• 1402, King Henry the Fourth granted to Thomas O’Coyne, clerk,‘of the Irish nation and blood, liberty to use the English law and language. 
• in 1404, David and John O‘Coygne, of the County of Kildare, sued out a license of pardon and in 1413, 
• Henry the Fifth granted to James O‘Coyne, clerk, with the additional liberty of acquiring lands in mortmain for religious uses.
• Walter Quinn of Dublin was preceptor to Prince Henry, on whose death he published an epitaph in 1613.
• The Act that in 1612 confiscated Ulster by the attainder of the Earl of Tyrone and his confederates, included Murtogh O’Quinn, ‘late of Dungannon,’ and Teague Modder O’Quinn of the same place. 

Cromwell’s memorable Ordinance of 1652 excepted from pardon for life and estates of:

• Brien Modder O'Quynne and Turlogh groom O"Quynne of Monagowre, County Tyrone
• Mr. John Quin was one of the twenty-four whom Breton coded to die on the capitulation of Limerick.

The Attainders of 1642

• Richard & Laughlin Quin of Ballyhooke, County Wicklow 
• Edmund O'Quin of Ballenteskine, County Wicklow
• Christopher Quin of St. Audoen's Parish, Dublin
• Christopher Quin of St. Michan’s. parish Dublin, a merchant.

In a patent of Clare lands granted in 1680 to Dame Lucy ‘Fitzmorrice’ and her son Richard Fitz-Morrice, there was an especial saving of rights of Thady Quinn, possibly the above Captain, to certain lands therein, and to a mortgage on others of the grant.

On this Army List, besides the above Captain Thady Quinn there is:

• Daniel Quinn was a Quarter-Master in Colonel Nicholas Purcell’s Horse
• Robert Quinn in Lord Dongan’s Dragoons
• Christopher ‘Quin,’ a Coronet in Colonel Symon Lutrell’s
• James ‘Quinn,’ a Lieutenant in Major General Boiseleau’s Infantry.
• Captain Thady Quinn was attainted in 1691, when his estates in the County Limerick became vested in the Crown

The other Outlawry's were:

•  William Quin of Dublin
• Richard Quin of Athy, County Kildare
• Hugh Mc Turlogh O’Quin of Cornetule, County Tyrone
• Brian Oge Mac Turlogh O’Quin of Glunoe, County Tyrone

The Dalcassians are a Gaelic Irish clan, generally accepted by contemporary scholarship as being a branch of the Déisi Muman, that became very powerful in Ireland during the 10th century. Their genealogies claimed descent from Tál Cas. Their known ancestors are the subject of The Expulsion of the Déisi tale and one branch of their blood-line went on to rule the petty kingdom of Dyfed in Wales during the 4th century; probably in alliance with the Roman Emperor Magnus Maximus.

Brian Bóruma is perhaps the best-known king from the dynasty and was responsible to a significant degree for carving out their fortunes. The family had built a power base on the banks of the River Shannon and Brian's brother Mahon became their first King of Munster, taking the throne from the rival Eóganachta. This influence was greatly extended under Brian who became High King of Ireland, following a series of wars against Hiberno-Norse kingdoms and the Chiefs of other Irish clans, before dying famously at the Battle of Clontarf in 1014. Following this the Dál gCais provided three more High Kings of Ireland; Donnchad mac Briain, Toirdelbach Ua Briain and Muirchertach Ua Briain.

From the 12th–16th centuries, the Dál gCais contented themselves with being reduced to the Kingdom of Thomond. They attempted to claim the Kingdom of Desmond for a time, but ultimately the MacCarthys held it. The Kennedy's also held the Kingdom of Ormond for a time. Some of the better known septs included O'Brien, Moloney, MacNamara, O'Grady, O'Gorman, Galvin, Kennedy, MacMahon, McInerney, and Clancy. During the 13th century Richard Strongbow's relatives the Norman de Clares attempted to take Thomond, but the Dál gCais held firm.

My O'Quin family rises in the genealogy and pedigree of Thomond, a Dalcassian sept who derive their surname from Niall Ó Cuinn who was slain at the Battle of Clontarf in 1014. This family was formerly represented by the Earls of Dunraven in the modern era that ended with Thady Windham Thomas Wyndham-Quin, 7th Earl of Dunraven and Mount-Earl (27 October 1939 – 25 March 2011) an Irish hereditary peer “aliased as a Quin” was originally a Taylour. In fact, the 5th, 6th and 7th earls were genetic Taylours as well.

M, #259687 Last Edited=7 Jan 2008

There is within the peerage an unknown Quin who is the 2nd son of Donogh Quin and Judith O'Riordan, a child of unknown Quin who was fathered by Donogh Oge O'Quin and is assumed the father of Laughlin Quin born in either 1712 or 1713.  Donogh died in 1671.

The citation is [S37] BP2003 volume 1, page 1237. See link for full details for this source. Hereinafter cited as. [S37]

Download the book from Internet Archives then search the book for QUIN. Your results will appear in the pages pane.

Born George Taylour on March 10, 1792, he was the second son of Thomas Taylour, 1st Marquess of Headfort, and Mary Quin the only daughter and heiress of George Quin of Quinsborough, County Clare. 

In 1813 he was restyled by Royal License as Lord George Quin, in accordance with his maternal grandfather’s will, becoming George Taylor Quin. In April 1814, he married Lady Georgiana Charlotte Spencer, daughter of George John Spencer, 2nd Earl Spencer. Together they had three children: two sons and a daughter. His eldest son, Richard Robert Quin later achieved the rank of Rear‑Admiral.

George Quin inherited substantial estates in Counties Clare, Limerick, and Tipperary, totaling over 5,000 acres by the 1870s:
~2,850 acres in Clare~889 acres in Limerick~3,078 acres in Tipperary

In May 1866, part of his holdings in the barony of Tulla Lower (County Clare) was listed for sale through the Landed Estates Court.

George Taylor Quin lived to the age of 95, passing away on February 6, 1888. Thusly the 5th, 6th and 7th Earls bore Taylor yDNA, not Quin yDNA.

Lord Dunraven was born in 1939, the third child and only son of Richard Wyndham-Quin, 6th Earl of Dunraven and Mount-Earl and his wife Nancy Yuille. He was educated at Ludgrove School and at the Institut Le Rosey, Switzerland. In 1956, while a schoolboy, he contracted polio in the Cork epidemic and was bound to a wheelchair for the remainder of his life.

He succeeded to the earldom and its subsidiary titles in 1965 upon the death of his father of which we share a common ancestor in prior to creation of the earldom. The First Lord of Dunraven lived in Kilgobbin House and all the other Lords of Dunraven have returned to live there with their own families. The 7th Earl, Lord Dunraven died at his home on 25 March 2011, at the age of 71 after suffering from a short illness. As he had no sons and as there were no other surviving male line descendants of the 1st Earl of which he was related via Mary Quin as aforementioned. The earldom and subsidiary titles became extinct upon his death in 2011.

O'Farrell Lords of Longford seated in Annaly are the Ó Fearghail who are an Irish family of County Longford. The patronym means "descendant of Fearghail", whose name means "man of valour". Fearghail was a great-grandson of Angaile, who was a 10th-century King of Fortúatha. Angaile conquered Annaly, and he is the namesake of Annaly. His Ó Fearghail descendants were the Princes of Annaly for 6 centuries. The Ó Fearghail produced 7 Bishops of Ardagh. The name became Farrell, and Kevin Farrell became Cardinal Bishop of Dallas, Texas.

According to the historian C. Thomas Cairney, the Ó Fearghail were part of the Conmaicne Rein tribe in Ireland who came from the Erainn tribe who were the second wave of Celts to settle in Ireland from about 500 and 100 BC.

The Ó Fearghail Chieftain historically sat at the Ó Fearghail stronghold of Longford with another Ó Fearghail seat at Moatfarrell in the eastern part of Annaly, between Ballinalee and Edgeworthstown. From the early 11th century until the colonial confiscations by James I in the early 17th century, the Ó Fearghail ruled Annaly as a principality. This rule was disrupted by repeated English invasions in the 12th and 13th centuries. By the 15th century, the Ó Fearghail regained complete control and had divided into the North Annaly ruling White Ó Fearghail and the South Annaly ruling Yellow Ó Fearghail. The Ó Fearghail principality was greatly undermined in 1552, when King Edward VI granted much of the lands of Annaly to Baron Delvin, including the Holy Island and lands of the Ó Fearghail. By 1618, the Ó Fearghail of Longford were finally deposed as Princes of Annaly by King James I, losing all of their lands and privileges. After the fall of the tribal Gaelic Order, many became tenants of their old land with English and Scottish landlords.

Quin(n) Family Seats

• An Chraobh, Stewartstown, County Tyrone related to the O'Neill Kings of Tír Eoghain Hereditary Quartermasters
• 1 Seated in County Antrim
• 1 Seated in Raphoe, County Donegal
• Clann Cuain, seated near Castlebar, County Mayo 
• 17th Century Quin was common in Waterford
• In 1890, numerous in Counties Dublin, Tyrone, Antrim & Roscommon
• Quinn is one of the 20 most common surnames in Ireland.