Lavin

Background:  This is a surname of either Irish or French orgins. If Irish it is a form of the ancient pre 10th century Gaelic O'Laimhin, which translates as 'the descendant of the son of the prince', although as to who the prince was is unclear. In the years before the Norman-English invasion of Ireland in 1170, there were as many as nine kings of Ireland, and no doubt at least an equal number of princes. The clan hails from the region of County Roscommon. If French, the name is occupational and residential, describing the ownership of a vineyard, the name being prevalent in those areas associated with wine such as the Gironde and Loire.

According to the early recordings of the spelling of the name, this interesting and unique name was listed with many spellings such as Laffin, Laffan, Lavin, Lavine, Lavins, Lavan, Laven, Lavens and La Vigne, this is a surname of either Irish or French origins. If Irish it is form the old pre 10th century Gaelic O’Laimhin, which converts as ‘the descendant of the son of the prince,’ though as to who the prince was is unknown. In the years before the Norman-English attack of Ireland in 1170, there were as many as nine kings of Ireland, and no doubt at least an equal number of princes. The tribe heralds from the region of Division Roscommon. If French, the name is professional and private, representing the ownership of an orchard, the name accepted in those areas related to wine such as the Gironde and the Loire. In England, those people of French origin, are from Huguenot protestant stock, who left to escape the oppression by the Catholic kings of France, particularly King Louis X1V (1643 – 1714). Examples of the early surname records contain as Frances Lavin, the daughter of Daniel Lavin, named at the parish of St Martins in the Field, Westminster, in December 1683, Catherine La Vigne, named at Threadneedle Street Huguenot parish, city of London, in January 1691, and William Lavins, who moved from Belfast to New York on the ship “Jane of Liverpool” in May 1846. He was one of the early emigrants from the infamous Irish Potato Famine of 1846 – 1846.

Name Variations:  Lavin, Laffin, Laffan, Lavin, Lavine, Lavins, Lavan, Laven, Lavens, La Vigne, Leaven, Lavenn, Lavenu, Laveny, Liaven, Lavena, Laeven, lavene, Lauven, Laveen, O'Lavin, Hand, McGlavin, Glavan.

References:
One or more of the following publications has been referenced for this article.
The General Armory; Sir Bernard Burke - 1842.
A Handbook of Mottoes; C.N. Elvin - 1860.
Irish Families, Their Names, Arms & Origins; Edward MacLysaght - 1957.
The Surnames of Ireland; Edward MacLynsaght - 1957.
The Book of Irish Families Great and Small.
coadb.com: https://coadb.com/surnames/laven-arms.html

Discuss

Search

Sign-up for a Founders account and receive personalized
family heraldry service and much more!

Want to know more?
Click the Heart!