Hynan Genealogy and Hynan Family History Information

Hynan from O hEidhneain (has also been "O Hinane", "O’ Hynane" and "Hinan"): The surname is from the Gaelic ‘EIDHNEAIN, meaning "Ivy". A rare name found in Counties Limerick & Tipperary, Ireland. The Hynan motto "Dia Mo Neart" means "God Is My Strength."

The land of Ireland has been peopled by the Legendary Celts since the 4th century B.C. Armed with superior iron weapons, the invaders defeated the Tuatha De Dannan (people of the goddess Dana), a gifted race which had ruled Ireland for almost two hundred years.

The name Hynan originated with these Celtic invaders who first arrived in Ireland from Northern Spain around 350 B.C. Hynan is one of the modern anglicized forms of the very old and distinguished Irish name O hEidhneain and it is a form of the name which is now very rare and found only in Counties Limerick and Tipperary. More common forms of the name are oheyne, heines and hynds.

The clan originated in southern Ui Fiachra in south Co. Galway where they held a large tract of territory stretching from Gort to Oranmore. It was called Ui Fiachra Aidhne after Eogan Aidhne (advocate/pleader) son of Daithi, the last pagan King of Ireland who was killed by lightening at the foot of the alps in 429 A.D.

The name O hEidhneain was then taken from the celebrated Guaire Aidhne, King of Connacht in the 7th century. The Lord of Aidhne, Maoilruanaidh O hEidhneain, lost his life commanding forces of Connacht at the Battle of Clontarf in 1014, where his son-in-law Brian Boru defeated the Vikings. For the space of 600 years his descendants were the chief family of Ui Fiachra Aidhne and Lords of Aidhne.

Millions of Irish people had to emigrate in the 19th and 20th centuries, many to the United States. Fr. John O' heyne (d.1715), was a prominent bearer of the name. He was an historian of the Dominican order and a distinguished missionary priest.