Flynn surname meaning

Flynn is the anglicized Irish surname Ó Floinn, “descendant of Flann.” Flann is an old personal name associated with a ruddy or red colour, which may once have described complexion or hair. The surname records descent from a man called Flann; it does not mean that every later Flynn had red hair. O’Flynn, Flinn, and Flyn show common spelling and anglicization paths. Parent’s name is the high-confidence catalog type because the Ó prefix and descendant-of structure are clear, even though separate Flynn families need not share one medieval ancestor.