Surname Quin[n] - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'Q'
Quin[n]: What does the surname Quin[n] mean?
Quinn is an Anglicized form of the Irish Ó Coinn or McQuinn/MacQuinn meaning "descendant of Conn". The name Conn derives from the Gaelic "ceann", meaning "head", hence, it can also interpret as "chief" or "leader". As a forename, Conn was a common name among the Celts, typically associated with wisdom, strength, and respect. Thus, families who bore the surname Quinn were believed to be descendants of a respected leader. The surname is prevalent in Ireland, reflecting its strong Celtic origins, although it is also widespread in English-speaking countries due to Irish emigration. Today, there are variants in the surname's spelling, such as Quin or Quine, but Quinn remains the most popular form. Throughout history, the name has been borne by many notable personalities across the fields of literature, politics, and entertainment. Despite the numerous potential topographical origins, the fundamental connotations of wisdom, leadership, and intelligence associated with the name Quinn have remained.
Order DNA origin analysisQuin[n]: Where does the name Quin[n] come from?
The last name Quinn is a relatively common Irish surname that has also spread to other parts of the world. It is the fourth most common surname in Ireland today, and is particularly common in areas of Northern Ireland, particularly County Antrim.
In the United States, Quinn is the 112th most common surname in the country, and can mostly be found in areas that were settled by Irish immigrants, such as Connecticut, New York, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Ohio. The surname is also popular in areas that have seen large-scale Irish migration, such as the Midwest and parts of the western US, as well as in Canada and England.
The name is particularly prevalent in Australia, where it is the 37th most common surname and is particularly common in Victoria where it is the 18th most common surname. Other countries where the Quinn name is prevalent include New Zealand, Scotland, and Wales.
As the surname spread and gained in popularity, it has been altered in different ways in different countries, so it can be found with various spellings such as Quin, Quine, Quinnell, and McQuinn, among others. Quinn is also an increasingly popular given name, particularly for boys, which further adds to the prevalence of the name.
Variations of the surname Quin[n]
The surname Quinn is of Irish origin and is typically Celtic in nature. It can be spelled in many different variations including Quin, Quyn, Quinn, Quynn, Quynne, Quinton, Quyntyn, Quine, Quynne, and Quenne.
The surname was first found in Ulster (a province of Northern Ireland) where they were seated from ancient times, some say well before the Norman Conquest in 1066 A.D. There it was later anglicized as Quin and O'Quin. It was also found in County Mayo and County Galway, where the surname Quine was found as well.
In other parts of the Irish-speaking world, such as County Donegal, the surname Quinn had been anglicized to Quin, or sometimes Quine. In some cases the surname was known to have been spelt Quin, with Quine being the preferred spelling in certain parts of the country.
Other variations of the name, which are derived from the Gaelic language, include Cuinn, McQuin, MacQuin, MacQuinn, McQuinn, MacQuyn, McQuyn, MacOuin, MacQuinne, and Quinne.
In some instances, those with the surname have adopted forms from other countries like Quinney, Quinlan, Quinnell, and Quinell. These alternate spellings have become more common throughout the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, and other countries around the world.
No matter the variation, the origin of the name is the same and it carries with it the same proud heritage and history.
Famous people with the name Quin[n]
- Odette Annable (Née Quinn), American actress
- Zoe Quinn, game designer, writer, and artist
- Cat Quinn, American television journalist
- Brad Quinn, American television and film actor
- Matthew Quinn, American retired soccer player
- Jack Quinn, Irish actor and Gaelic Games player
- Karl Quinn, American film and television actor
- Tony Quinn, Northern Irish-Canadian actor, producer, and screenwriter
- Colin Quinn, American stand-up comedian, actor, and writer
- Christopher Quinn, American independent filmmaker
- Kit Quinn, American film director
- Michael Quinn, Irish retired hurler
- Shane Quinn, Irish retired Gaelic footballer
- Dionne Warwick (Born Marie Dionne Warrick, née Quinn), American singer, actress and television show host
- Marisol Nichols (Née Quinn), American actor
- Mike Quinn, American puppeteer and voice actor
- Maura Quinlan (Née Quinn), American actress
- Kevin Quinn, American actor and singer
- Marty Quinn (Born Martin Christopher Quinn), American actor
- Neve Quinn, Canadian-American actress, writer and director