Quinn Family Crest and Surname Origin

A short guide to the Quinn surname: its meaning, its roots in Ireland, and its heraldry.

Order your pack and our heraldry team researches and paints the Quinn coat of arms for you.

Origin of the Quinn name

Quinn comes from Ó Cuinn, "descendant of Conn", a personal name meaning "chief" or "wisdom". Several independent septs bore the name, notably in Tyrone, Clare and Longford. It is among the most common surnames in Ireland and in Irish communities overseas.

Our historical archives hold much more on the Quinn name: dates, names and records of early bearers.

This overview covers the Quinn name in Ireland. We also hold records of the name in other countries, such as the United States, England and Australia; your full pack is researched for your family's country of origin.

Get your full Quinn family history

The researched Quinn pack traces meaning, early bearers and migration routes, and includes a personalized Quinn coat of arms.

Quinn name FAQ

What does the Quinn name mean?

Descendant of Conn, "chief". Common variants include O'Quinn, Quin, MacQuinn.

Where does the Quinn surname come from?

It originates in Ireland, and is also found in the United States, England and Australia.

Is there a Quinn coat of arms?

Arms were granted to individuals, not whole surnames, so there is no single Quinn crest. Herald Lab paints a personalized Quinn coat of arms based on historic heraldry.

Researched by Herald Lab Research Studio, since 1993. Sources: MacLysaght, The Surnames of Ireland; Dictionary of American Family Names (Oxford).