The Clan/Sept History

The Flynn name comes from the formerly popular Irish personal name of 'Flann' meaning red or ruddy. The popularity of this name dictated that there would be several distinct septs of Ó Floinn, located in counties Cork, Kerry, Clare, Mayo, Roscommon, Cavan, Antrim and Monaghan. Historically, the most important of these clans were those in Cork and Roscommon. Today the name Flynn is ranked as the 41st most numerous in the country, with concentrations in north Connacht and the Cork/Waterford area.