Ó Cuinn

Rev Patrick Woulfe
1923

Ó CUINN—IO Quyn, O Quine, O Coyne, O'Quin, Quin, Quinn, Queen, Coyne; ‘descendant of Conn’ (head, sense, reason, intelligence; also a freeman); a very common surname in all parts of Ireland.

There are several distinct families so called, of which the following are the best known:—

(1) Ó Cuinn of Thomond, a branch of the Dal gCais, descended from Conn, lord of Muinntear Ifearnain, who flourished in the latter part of the 10th century. They were originally seated at Inchiquin, and their territory which, from their clan-name, was designated Muinntear Ifearnain, comprised the country around Corofin, in Co. Clare. The Earl of Dunraven is a member of this family.

(2) Ó Cuinn of Annaly, a branch of the Conmaicne and of the same stock as the O'Farrells, who were chiefs of Muinntear Giollagain, an extensive district in Co. Longford, until towards the end of the 14th century when they were supplanted by the O'Farrells. Quin is now a very common surname in Co. Longford.

(3) Ó Cuinn of Antrim who were chiefs of Magh Lughadh and Siol Cathasaigh. Conghalach Ó Cuinn of this family, 'a tower of valour, hospitality, and renown of the North of Ireland,' was slain by the English in the year 1218.

(4) Ó Cuinn of Magh Itha, in the barony of Raphoe, now numerous in West Ulster.

(5) Ó Cuinn of Clann Cuain, a branch of the Ui Fiachrach, who were chiefs of Clann Chuain, in the neighbourhood of Castlebar, Co. Mayo. About the middle of the 12th century they transferred their allegiance from the Ui Fiachrach to the Siol Muireadhaigh and became tributary to MacDermott of Moylurg.

Ó Cuinn is pronounced O'Coyne in the south of Ireland; hence the anglicised form Coyne which is sometimes used.

Alphabetical Index to Irish Surnames

SEARCH FOR NAMES »