Map of Britain showing where the Flynn arms are recorded
The Flynn arms were recorded in Britain, c. 1700.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Kent.
Kent sits between London and the short crossing to Europe, and the trade passing through made it wealthy. Merchant families bought land with that money, and it was landowners who took coats of arms.
This is where the arms were entered in the register. Families often moved to other parts of the country, so the same name can turn up in more than one region.
The body that granted and recorded arms in Britain in this period.
William III of England
Sovereign of the period
William III of England
1694–1702
Reigning in Britain when the Flynn arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Britain
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Britain.
Origin & History of the Flynn Family in Britain
The surname Flynn originates from the Irish Gaelic name Ó Floinn, which translates to descendant of Flann, a personal name meaning ruddy or red. While the name is most famously associated with the province of Connacht in Ireland, families bearing this name migrated across the British Isles for centuries due to trade, labor, and political shifts. By the year 1700, records confirm that members of the Flynn family were firmly established in the county of Kent in England. During this period, Kent served as a vital hub for movement between London and the continent, making it a common destination for families seeking new economic opportunities. These early settlers in Kent likely integrated into local agricultural or maritime communities, gradually blending their Irish heritage with the evolving social landscape of southern England.
Flynn Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Ó Floinn
Derived from the Gaelic word flann meaning blood-red or ruddy.
This name
FlynnA descendant of the red-complexioned or ruddy-faced individual.
also spelled
Flynn
Oflynn
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Woulfe, Patrick, Sloinnte Gaedheal is Gall: Irish Names and Surnames, 1923
MacLysaght, Edward, The Surnames of Ireland, 1985
The National Archives (UK), Parish registers of Kent, 1700
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
lionCourage, strength and royalty
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
lionCourage, strength and royalty
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
