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A remark long in the branch of Conns, descended from Hugh Conn,
Presbyterian minister, from Ireland to the colonies, is: "Well, I've
always considered that the Conn Family was a pretty good breed of dogs."
This is supposedly a compliment considering the origin of the name. The
following are excerpts from various sources including The Media Research
Bureau, Washington, D.C., Irish Pedigrees, and some added
embellishments. It is compilation by Dr. Rudolph Krutar in his bulletins
distributed to Conn Reunions in the late 1970's and early 80's. It sounds
suspiciously like a Romulus-Remus story.
King Conn's daughter Sabrina had a delicate son who sometimes breastfed
on Ealoir Dearg, a favorite greyhound. Her son became the 113 Monarch of
Ireland and was known as "Luy, son of the greyhound", which is rendered in
Gaelic as "Lughaidh Mac con" from 'Mac' (son) + 'con', the possessive form
of 'cu' (greyhound or warrior). The name eventually became "McConn", and
later "Conn" (speed, virtue, champion) + 'Cead' (one hundred) + 'cathach'
(of battles). This 'Conn' is surely a reference to greyhound qualities. The
epithet 'Ceadcathach' was applied by the poet O'Gnive long after Conn's
death. King Conn's progeny through his sons were not called "McConn" but
"McCuinn" or "O'Cuinn" from 'Cuinn', the possessive form of 'Conn'. These
names eventually became "MacQueen" and "Quinn". A parallel derivation is
"MacNamara" from 'Mac' + 'con' + 'mara', the possessive form of 'muir'
(sea).
Condensed from the Media Research is the following: The name Conn is
derived from the ancient Irish baptismal name of Con or Conn. Its original
meaning is said to have been "dog", but it was used to designate a warrior,
the connotation evidently being "sea-dog" or dog-like in reference to the
fighting qualities of the animal. The name is also found on ancient British
and early American records in the form of Conne, but the spelling first
mentioned is that most generally accepted in America today.
It is maintained by family historians that the name was taken from Conn
Cead-Cathach (Conn of the Hundred Battles) who lived in the second century
of the Christian Era. The descent of this Conn is given from Milesius, King
of Spain, through his son Heremon, who with his elder brother Heber, was one
of the first Milestian Monarchs of Ireland. These brothers began their
reign about 1699 BC, leaving among others, a son named Ireal Faidh (Iril,
the Prophet), who became the tenth Monarch of Ireland. He was succeeded by
his son Eithrial, who, however, was slain in 1650 BC by one Canmaol.
The previous is compliments of Gerald Tudor and Rudolph Krutar
The following is from The History of Ireland, Part I (a schoolbook I found in a Kilrush, Co. Clare B&B)
Connacht was the leading kingdom of the five. Between this western kingdom and Ulster in the north there was great enmity. They were often at war, and a long time was to pass before Ulster was finally defeated. Meanwile, the Connacht kings gradually extended their rule to the eastern part of the rich Central Plain, which was known as Ma Bhrea. One of these kings was the mighty Conn of the Hundred Battles. The legends tell how Conn and Mogh, the King of Munster, divided Ireland between them, Conn taking the northern half (Leath Chuinn), and Mogh taking the southern half (Leath Mhogha). Conn�s grandson, Cormac Mac Airt, who reigned in the third century, finally broke up the kingdom of North Leinster and made Tara his capital.
Cormac was now the most powerful king in Ireland. He ruled over Connachta and Mi, which together covered the whole centre of the country from the Atlantic to the Irish Sea, and he forced the kingdom of south Leinster to pay him a yearly tribute, which was called the boru. Cormac was the first king to be called Ard Ri or High King of Ireland. Cormac Mac Airt was great in war and in peace. He made wise laws for his people; he built roads and founded schools. The old Irish historians say that during his reign there was contentment and happiness in Ireland.
About the year 330, three Connacht princes known as the three Colas, invaded Ulster and destroyed the ancient capital of Eamhain Macha. They formed a new kingdom, named Airghialla, in central Ulster. At the beginning of the fifth century, Niall of the Nine Hostages ruled in Tara. Three of his sons marched north and conquered West Ulster, where they formed a new kingdom named Aileach. Ireland was now divided into seven kingdoms.
The descendants of Conn of the Hundred Battles, who were know as Siol Chuinn, had now brought the greater part of Ireland under their control. They ruled in Mi, Connachta, Airghealla, and Aileach. Siol Chuinn gave to Ireland a line of High Kings who ruled for over six hundred years.
