From the Modern Era

The Quinn surname is of Irish origin and is one of the most ancient and widespread Gaelic surnames. It comes from the Irish “Ó Cuinn” or “Mac Cuinn,” meaning “descendant of Conn” or “son of Conn.” The root “Conn” means “wisdom” or “chief,” and is a very old and respected personal name in Ireland, appearing in early mythology and royal genealogies.

• Ó Cuinn (descendant of Conn): This form is more common in historical Gaelic usage.
• Conn was a popular given name associated with early kings, including the legendary Conn Cétchathach (“Conn of the Hundred Battles”), a High King of Ireland from the 2nd century A.D.

The Quinn name is associated with several distinct Gaelic families across Ireland. It is not a single origin name but rather arose independently in various regions:

O'Quinns of Thomond (Dalcassian)

• Based in modern-day County Clare, this family belonged to the Dalcassian tribe, which also includes the O’Briens and other noble houses descended from Olioll Olum.
• Chiefs of Muintir Ifernain, they were influential in Inchiquin and Corofin areas.
• This line is historically linked to Brian Boru, the High King who fought at the Battle of Clontarf.

O'Quinns of Antrim and Down (Ulster)

• In the north of Ireland, particularly Counties Antrim and Down, another Quinn family held prominence. They were connected with the ancient Ulaid and Dal Fiatach dynasties.

Quins in County Longford and Westmeath (Midlands)

• Other Quinn families existed in central Ireland, particularly in Longford and Westmeath, with strong ties to Meath, the ancient seat of the High Kings.

MacQuinns of Ulster

• In parts of Ulster, especially Derry and Tyrone, the form Mac Cuinn also appears historically, sometimes anglicized as MacQuinn.

• The Quinns appear in the Annals of Irish history, and several were known as warriors, poets, and churchmen.
• Neill O’Quin fought at Clontarf in 1014.
• In the 1689 Irish Army List under King James II, Captain Thady Quinn is listed, showing military involvement during the Williamite Wars.

• Quin – an alternate spelling still in use, especially in Clare.
• O’Quin, MacQuin, and Cuin – older or less common variants.

Based on the sound and phonetic similarities, several variant surnames and anglicizations have historically been associated with Quinn, especially given how Irish names were recorded by English-speaking clerks, scribes, and census takers. These variations often arose from attempts to spell Irish names phonetically or to make them sound more English.

Here are sound-alike and variant surnames associated with Quinn:

These are variants based purely on spelling differences or anglicizations of “Ó Cuinn” or “Mac Cuinn”:

• Quin – the most common variant, still used widely (especially in County Clare).
• O’Quinn – reflects the original Gaelic “Ó Cuinn.”
• McQuinn / MacQuinn – from “Mac Cuinn,” more common in Ulster and Scotland.
• Cuinn – archaic spelling occasionally used in historic records.

These arose due to similar pronunciation or confusion with other Gaelic surnames:

• Gwynn / Gwynne – Welsh in origin but phonetically close; some name shifts occurred through British clerical recordkeeping.
• Queen / Queenan – sometimes altered by sound or regional accent.
• Coin / Coyne – another Irish surname (Ó Cadhain), sometimes confused with Quinn in old church records.
• Cowan / Cowen – anglicizations of “Mac Eoghain” or “Ó Comhdháin,” but similar in sound to Quinn in some dialects.
• Keane / Keen – these are from “Ó Catháin,” but the short vowel sound and common “n” ending created overlaps.
• Flynn – from “Ó Floinn,” not directly related, but rhymes and was sometimes confused.
• Guin / Guinn - Welsh surname associated with Gwyn ap Nudd is an important to Welsh mythology: He is the son of Nudd (or Lludd), a divine figure, possibly connected to the ancient Celtic god Nodens. Gwyn ap Nudd is described as a lord of the Otherworld (Annwn) and leader of the Wild Hunt. In the Mabinogion, Gwyn is portrayed as a god of the underworld, death, and the fair folk. He is often associated with winter, ghosts, and spiritual battles between light and dark. 
• Gwin / Gwinn - Anglicized

In early census, military, or immigration records, Quinn may appear as:

• Qwin / Qwyn – due to phonetic spelling.
• Kwin / Kuen / Quinlan – occasional transcription errors or attempts to write unfamiliar Irish names.
• Cuin / Cuine / Cuyn – especially in early Norman or ecclesiastical transcriptions.