The digital home of our family
Ó Cuinn
Our family. Our heritage.
Today our family calls County Kilkenny home. Family tradition connects our roots with County Antrim — a story of place, identity, and generations carried forward.
Ó Cuinn — the Irish name behind Quinn
Our story
From Antrim to Kilkenny
Our family story is rooted in Ireland. Family tradition links our branch of the Quinn name with County Antrim, while the life we know today has been built in County Kilkenny.
This website is a place to honour both: the northern roots remembered by our family and the home created in Ireland’s south-east. It is a simple record of where we came from, who we are, and what we pass on.
Roots remembered
County Antrim
Ulster · North-east IrelandHome today
County Kilkenny
Leinster · South-east IrelandThe meaning of our name
“Descendant of Conn”
Ó Cuinn is the Irish form of Quinn. The prefix Ó means “descendant of”, while Cuinn comes from the personal name Conn.
Historical surname scholarship connects Conn with ideas such as sense, reason, and intelligence. Over time, Ó Cuinn was anglicised in forms including Quin and Quinn, while the Irish form remains a direct connection to language and heritage.
The historical record
What is known about the Ó Cuinn name
Ó Cuinn was not the name of only one medieval family. Historical surname sources describe several distinct Ó Cuinn lineages in different parts of Ireland. The Antrim tradition carried by our family is therefore consistent with a documented historical association between the surname and County Antrim, while a direct genealogical connection still needs to be established through records.
01 The nameÓ Cuinn means “descendant of Conn”
Rev. Patrick Woulfe’s Irish Names and Surnames records Ó Cuinn as “descendant of Conn” and associates Conn with head, sense, reason, and intelligence.
Irish Names and Surnames02 Across IrelandSeveral distinct Ó Cuinn families are recorded
Historical accounts distinguish branches associated with Thomond in County Clare, Annaly in County Longford, Antrim, Magh Itha in west Ulster, and Clann Cuain near Castlebar in County Mayo.
Irish Names and Surnames03 AntrimA recorded northern Ó Cuinn lineage
Woulfe identifies an Ó Cuinn family of Antrim as chiefs of Magh Lughadh and Síl Cathasaigh. This gives historical context to an Antrim family tradition, without proving a direct modern descent.
Irish Names and Surnames04 1218Conghalach O’Cuinn appears in the medieval annals
The Annals of Loch Cé record Conghalach O’Cuinn as king-chieftain of Magh-Lughach and all Síl-Chathusaigh, describing him as a notable figure of the north of Ireland.
CELT: Annals of Loch Cé05 SpellingsQuin, Quinn and Coyne are among the historical forms
Recorded anglicised forms include O’Quin, Quin, Quinn, Queen and Coyne. Woulfe also notes that a southern pronunciation helped produce the spelling Coyne.
Irish Names and SurnamesThese facts describe the history of the surname and recorded Ó Cuinn families. They do not, by themselves, prove that every modern Quinn or Ó Cuinn family descends from the same branch. Our own Antrim connection is presented as family tradition unless supported by documentary genealogy.
The family crest
A living link to the generations before us
The family crest brings together symbols traditionally associated with honour, courage, wisdom, and renewal.
The emblem on this page is a modern decorative interpretation for the Ó Cuinn family website. Historic coats of arms were granted to particular people or family branches, rather than automatically belonging to everyone who shares a surname.
Presented here as the crest supplied by the Ó Cuinn family for ocuinn.ie.
01The sword
Traditionally associated with justice, honour, courage, and readiness to protect.
02The serpents
Often interpreted as wisdom, renewal, watchfulness, and endurance.
03The crescents
Heraldic emblems commonly linked with hope, achievement, and new beginnings.
04The helm and crest
Symbols of duty, preparedness, lineage, and the honour of family tradition.
What we carry forward
Our family values
Simple principles that connect generations and shape the story still being written.
01Family
Showing up for one another and staying connected across time and distance.
02Integrity
Living with honesty, fairness, and respect for the name we carry.
03Kindness
Choosing generosity, welcome, and care in our homes and communities.
04Hard work
Building with patience, resilience, and pride in doing things well.
05Community
Contributing to the places that have shaped and supported our family.
06Irish heritage
Keeping our language, stories, places, and traditions close.
Looking to the future
Our story is still being written.
O Cuinn.ie can grow into a private family archive for photographs, stories, documents, and memories — preserving the past while connecting future generations.
“Ní neart go cur le chéile.”
There is no strength without unity.
Contact
Keep the family story connected.
For family enquiries, stories, and general contact, please write to our main family address.
Main family email hello@ocuinn.ie →Please do not send passwords or highly sensitive personal documents by ordinary email.
Send a message
Your message will be delivered to hello@ocuinn.ie.