Surname McGlinn - Meaning and Origin
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McGlinn: What does the surname McGlinn mean?
The last name McGlinn is an anglicized form of the Irish Gaelic Mac Gille-Fhinnein, meaning "son of the servant of St. Finnian." St. Finnian was a 6th-century monk and scholar who was a prominent figure in the early Christian period of Ireland.
The name is believed to have originated in County Fermanagh, where a branch of the Cenel Moen Ua Neill dynasty reigned. This dynasty mostly stemmed from the line of the High Kings of Ireland.
The McGlinn family generally held a superior social status, due to their direct lineage from the High Kings. Some variations of the name are McGlynn, MacClimon, McGlimon, and Glynn.
In more recent times, the McGlinn name is most commonly associated with people from Northern Ireland. The name is often associated with families loyal to the British crown who remain in their ancestral homeland. This is because many members of the McGlinn family remained there during the early 20th century when a majority of Irish families immigrated to the United States in search of greater economic opportunities.
Today, the McGlinn name is still fairly common in Ireland, particularly in the Ulster province. It is also scattered throughout the world, particularly in the United States, where there are a number of notable McGlinn families.
Order DNA origin analysisMcGlinn: Where does the name McGlinn come from?
The last name McGlinn is common today in a few areas, mainly those of Irish and Scottish heritage. The name is most often found in Ireland and Scotland, but also in the United States and Canada. In Ireland, McGlinn is quite common in County Donegal, especially in the Donegal Abbeys district where records dating back to the 16th century show the surname in use.
In Scotland, the name is particularly common in the Highlands, especially Argyll, Inverness, and Sutherland. The Highland Clearances significantly changed the landscape of the region and caused many McGlinns to immigrate to the United States and Canada. As a result, today they can be found scattered throughout the United States and Canada.
McGlinns are also popular in Australia, where immigration from Ireland and Scotland during the 19th and 20th centuries was significant. In Australia, the McGlinns often settled in Victoria, New South Wales, and Queensland, among other places.
Overall, the last name McGlinn is still very much a part of the present-day landscape, especially in Ireland, Scotland, the United States, Canada, and Australia.
Variations of the surname McGlinn
The surname McGlinn is most commonly found in Ireland and can be spelled many different ways, including: Mac Glynn, Glynn, McGlynn, Maglynn, McGlin, MacGlin, MacGlen, MacGlinn, and Maglin.
In Irish, the surname McGlinn is derived from the Gaelic "Mac Gille Fhinne" which means son of the servant of Finne. The surname was originally a hereditary surname for the sons of an accomplished chief named Finne or Fionn, a figure of ancient Irish folklore. The name was given to other leaders and warriors who had established control and influence where Fionn had been the local leader.
Though McGlinn is the most common spelling in Ireland, versions of the name can vary when families moved abroad. In Scotland, for example, the spelling may be MacGline. In England and Wales, the name may take the form Glynn, Glinn, McGlinch, or McGlinchy.
In the United States, the common spellings of McGlinn are MacGlynn, MacGlinn, and McGlynn. The 1900 U.S. Federal Census recorded the spelling of McGlynn as the most common spelling of the name in the U.S. Variations of the name can also be found in the form of McGlintock, McGlinty, McGlinchey, McGlinchy, and McClellan.
Though the spelling of the surname may vary, the root of the name is derived from the Gaelic MacGille Fhinne, meaning son of the servant of Finne. Variations of the spelling are commonly used, depending on where the family is located or the branch of the family that the person is descended from.
Famous people with the name McGlinn
- Shannon McGlinn: Shannon is an American television and film actress, known for her roles in the hit series Teen Wolf, Perfect Wife, and Big Time Rush.
- Tommy McGlinn: Tommy is an Irish singer, songwriter, and producer based in Dublin. He has released music under the pseudonym Kalypso, and has been featured in many festivals in Europe.
- Lucy McGlinn: Lucy is an American fiber artist and professor at the Maryland Institute College of Art in Baltimore. Her work focuses on narratives of the African Diaspora.
- Aidan McGlinn: Aidan is a visual artist born in Dublin, Ireland. His practice works with advertising strategy and image-making, and often combines photography, typography, and digital media.
- Chris McGlinn: Chris is a Scottish actor best known for his role as Joe McGrady in the British television series Monica's Gang.
- John McGlinn: John is an American composer, conductor, and musicologist. He is the director of repertoire and artistic advisor at the Italian Opera Academy, and he is known for helping to restore lost masterpieces.
- Michael McGlinn: Michael is a retired professional hockey player who played in the NHL for the Edmonton Oilers, Calgary Flames, and Winnipeg Jets. He is currently working as a hockey analyst and color commentator.
- Kimberly McGlinn: Kimberly is an American actress and writer. She has appeared in films such as The Blair Witch Project and The Stepfather, and has won a number of awards for her writing, including an Emmy Award.