Map of Ireland showing where the Quinn arms are recorded
The Quinn arms were recorded in Dublin, c. 1620.
Dublin was the seat of government in Ireland and the place where grants were sought and recorded. Families with business at the castle or the courts settled nearby, and settling there put their arms on record.
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 Ireland in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in Ireland when the Quinn arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Ireland
The Ulster King of Arms granted coats of arms to individuals who proved their social standing and good character. These symbols were typically inherited by all legitimate descendants of the original holder. If a family branch wanted a unique look, they could apply for a specific change to their design through the office to ensure their identity remained distinct.
Granting authority
The Ulster King of Arms acted as the official body that regulated and issued all coats of arms throughout Ireland.
How they got arms
Families obtained their arms through formal grants issued by the office after proving their eligibility and paying the required fees.
Where arms were recorded
All official grants were recorded in the registers held by the Ulster King of Arms starting from the year 1552.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Dublin.
Origin & History of the Quinn Family in Ireland
The surname Quinn is an anglicized version of the ancient Irish name Ó Cuinn, which translates to descendant of Conn. The name Conn itself is derived from an old word meaning wisdom or chief. By the early 17th century, the Quinn family had established a notable presence in Dublin, as evidenced by records from 1620. During this period, the family was part of a shifting social landscape in Ireland where many traditional Gaelic families were adapting to urban life and new administrative systems. While the name originated in various parts of Ireland, the Dublin branch of the family became integrated into the city’s growing merchant and professional classes. Their presence in the capital city during this time highlights how the family transitioned from their rural roots to become active participants in the developing civic society of 17th-century Ireland.
Quinn Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Conn
An ancient Irish word meaning chief, leader, or head.
This name
QuinnDescendant of the wise leader or chief.
also spelled
Quyn
Quynne
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
MacLysaght, Edward. The Surnames of Ireland. 1985
Woulfe, Patrick. Sloinnte Gaedheal is Gall: Irish Names and Surnames. 1923
National Archives of Ireland. Plea Rolls of the Courts of Common Law. 1620
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