Corrin (surname)

{{Infobox surname | name = Corrin |image= |image_size=  |caption= | meaning = "Son of ''Thórfinnr''" | region = Isle of Man/Scotland/Ireland | language = Gaelic | variant = Maktory, MacToryn, MacThoryngt, McCorryn, McCorrin, MacCorran, MacOran, Corean, Corran, Corine | footnotes = <ref name="isle-of-man.com corrin">{{Cite web|url=http://www.isle-of-man.com/manxnotebook/famhist/families/corrin.htm|title=Corrin Family of Arbory|website=www.isle-of-man.com}}</ref> }}

'''Corrin''' is a surname of Manx origin. It is a contraction of '''McCorryn''', an anglicised form of the Gaelic ''MacTorin'', meaning "son of Thórfinnr",<ref>{{Cite web |title=Corrin Name Meaning & Corrin Family History at Ancestry.com® |url=https://www.ancestry.com/name-origin?surname=corrin |access-date=2022-11-03 |website=www.ancestry.com}}</ref> which is derived from the Old Norse personal name meaning "Thor's wanderer".<ref>{{Citation |title=finnr |date=2025-01-01 |work=Wiktionary, the free dictionary |url=https://en.wiktionary.org/w/index.php?title=finnr&oldid=83200352 |access-date=2025-10-16 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Þórfinnr - Nordic Names |url=https://www.nordicnames.de/wiki/%C3%9E%C3%B3rfinnr |access-date=2025-10-16 |website=www.nordicnames.de}}</ref> The earliest form was first documented on the Isle of Man as ''MacThorin/MacThoryngt'' and later rendered as either ''MacCorran'' or ''McCorryn'', and later reduced as ''Corrane'' and ''Corrin''. This name first appeared in Manx Gaelic on the Isle of Man sometime pre-13th century.<ref name="isle-of-man.com corrin" />

==Origins== According to a study (whose purpose was to analyze DNA samples from patriarchs who are native to the Isle of Man), those who bore the name of ''Corrin'' appear to be of ancient Celtic origins, as most genealogists agree that those who are native or descended from any of the Celtic nations all share similar or identical DNA. In which case, patriarchs who shared the surname of ''Corrin'' held the Y-chromosome Haplogroup R1b.<ref>{{cite web |title=Data |url=http://www.manxdna.co.uk/APP%201%20latest.pdf |access-date=2020-10-11 |website=www.manxdna.co.uk}}</ref> Genealogists have concluded that the people of the Isle of Man are genetically predominantly Scottish, and whose documented DNA are identical to those prevalent in the south-west regions of Scotland.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Gilbert |first1=Edmund |last2=O'Reilly |first2=Seamus |last3=Merrigan |first3=Michael |last4=McGettigan |first4=Darren |last5=Vitart |first5=Veronique |last6=Joshi |first6=Peter K. |last7=Clark |first7=David W. |last8=Campbell |first8=Harry |last9=Hayward |first9=Caroline |last10=Ring |first10=Susan M. |last11=Golding |first11=Jean |last12=Goodfellow |first12=Stephanie |last13=Navarro |first13=Pau |last14=Kerr |first14=Shona M. |last15=Amador |first15=Carmen |date=17 September 2019 |title=The genetic landscape of Scotland and the Isles |journal=Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences |volume=116 |issue=38 |pages=19064–19070 |bibcode=2019PNAS..11619064G |doi=10.1073/pnas.1904761116 |pmc=6754546 |pmid=31481615 |doi-access=free |last16=Campbell |first16=Archie |last17=Haley |first17=Chris S. |last18=Porteous |first18=David J. |last19=Cavalleri |first19=Gianpiero L. |last20=Wilson |first20=James F.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Researchers connect Irish and Scottish genetic maps |url=https://www.rcsi.com/dublin/news-and-events/news/news-article/2019/09/researchers-connect-irish-and-scottish-genetic-maps |website=www.rcsi.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=ELSPAC in the Isle of Man {{!}} Bristol Medical School: Population Health Sciences {{!}} University of Bristol |url=https://www.bristol.ac.uk/population-health-sciences/projects/isleofmanstudy/ |access-date=2025-06-08 |website=www.bristol.ac.uk |language=English}}</ref>

Genealogists suggest a Norse-Gaelic origin through the Norse invasion of the British Isles, particularly through Norse settlements in Ireland and Scotland. People with this surname descend from Thorfinn Ottarsson, progenitor of the clan, and son of the Norse-Gaelic king, Óttar of Dublin of the Cotter family. Thorfinn Ottarson, a powerful Manx chief and warrior from the Hebrides, was a significant influence on Somerled, who would nominate his son, Dugall, to claim the Lordship of the Isles from the Norse Vikings and unpopular ruler Godred Olafsson, and be proclaimed "King of the Isles". Ottarson would campaign under Somerled to invade the Kingdom of Mann and the Isles and the Kingdom of Dublin against the Vikings. Somerled soon led an invasion against Godred Olafsson at the Battle of the Isle of Man, which would be a success.<ref>{{Cite web |title=synopsis basic |url=https://cunninghamh.tripod.com/somerled/somerled.html |access-date=2022-11-03 |website=cunninghamh.tripod.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Jefford |first=Andrew |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=oXaNDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT78&q=somerled%20thorfinn%20ottarson |title=Whisky Island: A Portrait of Islay and its whiskies |date=2019-05-16 |publisher=Headline |isbn=978-1-4722-6506-7 |language=en}}</ref> As a result of the victory, Somerled seized the Kingdom of Mann and the Isles.<ref name="Paterson 2008, p8">Paterson 2008, p8</ref>

==History== ===Isle of Man=== [[File:Corrin's Tower from the south - geograph.org.uk - 4447742.jpg|thumb|280x280px|'''Corrin's Tower''' was built on Peel Hill near Peel in 1806 by a Mr. Thomas Corrin - an eccentric gentleman. Inscribed on one of the pillars: "Corrin's Pillar, 1850. This pillar was erected six feet distant from the base of this mount, and within the inclosure, upon its top rest the mortal remains of Alice Corrin and her two beloved children. This pillar, tower, and mount, were erected by Thomas Corrin, to perpetuate her memory until reanimated by the power of God."<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.isle-of-man.com/manxnotebook/towns/peel/corrin.htm|title=Corrin's Tower Peel|website=www.isle-of-man.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.isleofman.com/places-to-visit/architecture/towers/corrins-tower/|title=Architecture :: isleofman.com|website=www.isleofman.com}}</ref>]] J. J. Kneen, a historian on the Isle of Man, suggests the surname to be of Norse origin. While some sources from Manx genealogists agree that the lineage of Corrins are of Celtic origin, most argue that pre-1400s documents point to a Norse source through the name of Thorfinn, possibly in terms of places, such as Malew (an area of significant influences from the Viking Age). According to Kneen, "It is probable that Thore the son of Asser is identifiable with Thorfin the son of Oter mentioned in the Chronicles of Man. He was a famous chieftain of the Isles in the 12th century. It is now impossible to identify the site of this estate, but it was probably in the Parish of Malew".<ref name=":0">{{cite web | title=Corrin Family of Arbory | website=isleofman.com | url=http://www.isle-of-man.com/manxnotebook/famhist/families/corrin.htm#:~:text=He%20was%20from%20one%20of,Lonan%20or%20Malew%20in%201605.&text=We%20know%20Gybbon%20Corrin%20probably%20came%20from%20Malew | access-date=2020-10-11}}</ref>

The historical figure of Thorfinn Ottarsson is briefly mentioned in the Chronicles of Mann and the Isles:

{{blockquote|Godred after a few days went back to Man, and dismissed the chiefs of the Isles to their respective abodes. When he now found himself secure on his throne, and that no one could oppose him, he began to act tyrannically towards his chiefs, depriving some of their inheritances, and others of their dignities. Of these, one named Thorfinn, son of Oter, more powerful than the rest, went to Somerled, and begged for his son Dugald, that he might make him king over the Isles. Somerled, highly gratified by the application, put Dugald under the direction of Thorfinn, who received and led him through all the islands, subjecting them all to him, and taking hostages from each.}}

It has been claimed that Thorfinn was acting out a blood feud as Godred had played a part in instigating Óttar's murder; Godred is recorded in some sources as ruling Dublin for a short period after Óttar's death.<ref name="cotter 38 252">Cotter 1938, p. 25</ref><ref>Chronicle of Man Vol. I, under the year 1154</ref> The historian Gareth Williams has postulated a kinship link between the mother of Dubgall, Ragnhildis Olafsdottir, and the Óttar family which may also have affected Thorfinn's political inclinations.<ref>Williams, whole article.</ref>

Records suggest that the Corrin family has been present on the Isle of Man for several centuries, particularly in the southern parishes, such as Arbory and Rushen. The name appears in early Manx church records, land registries, and legal documents, indicating a well-established presence. On the Isle of Man, the name's first appearance appeared in the Parish Registers as ''Maktory'' sometime in 1290 A.D, when Duncan Maktory served as a Justice of the Isle of Man. He is recorded in a legal dispute where a resident, William De Twynham, accused Maktory and his son William of unlawfully seizing goods worth 50 marks. In 1293, a document concerning the "''Outlawry of Donekan MacToryn''" was presented to the Scottish lordships in a trial on Isle of Man. The outlawry was considered to be "an error" in judgment and was officially annulled from the Kingdom of Scotland on the 28th of June, 1293.<ref name="isle-of-man.com corrin" /> This took place during the time when invasions were taken place between the kingdoms of Scotland and England. In 1408, Patrick McThoryngt was one of the 24 justices (presumed to be a major figure in the politics of the Isle of Man) who signed the declaration of the Bishop, Abbot, and Clergy against the claim of sir Stephen Lestrop though the name is not amongst those who sign the 1417 Indenture.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Manx Soc Vol. IV., VII., IX. 'Monumenta de Insula Manniae - Declaration of Clergy, 1408 |url=https://www.isle-of-man.com/manxnotebook/manxsoc/msvol04/v2p247.htm |access-date=2026-03-18 |website=www.isle-of-man.com}}</ref>

According to the Manorial Rolls, the McCorryns arrived in Arbory in 1529. The early family seat was located in Malew in the vicinity of Rushen Abbey. This location was probably the source of the people called ''MacToryns'' before the name evolved later on pre-1400s.<ref name="isle-of-man.com corrin" /> According to sources, the 'proto-Corrins' were most likely the ''McCorryns'', ''McCoryns'', and ''McCorrans'' in the 1500s onward.<ref name=":0" /> In Rushen, a clan was based there, and were known to have landownership in several parishes of the Isle of Man, particularly in Rushen, Arbory, and Malew. Early land records, church registries, and legal documents suggest that the McCorryns were well-established in these areas for centuries, with some family branches maintaining extensive land holdings:

* Rushen Parish: One of the key areas where the McCorryn family held land, particularly in the vicinity of Port Erin and Port St Mary. The family was recorded in parish registers as landowners and farmers. * Arbory Parish: Another stronghold of the McCorryn name, with records indicating land ownership dating back several centuries. The McCorryns in Arbory were involved in farming and local administration. * Malew Parish: This parish, which includes the important town of Castletown, Isle of Man, was home to several McCorryn families, some of whom held land near Ballasalla and the surrounding countryside.

During the 17th and 18th centuries, much of the land on the Isle of Man was held under a feudal system of tenure governed by the Lords of Mann. Many families, including the Corrins, held "quarterland" and "cottier" tenures, meaning they farmed land either as freeholders or under lease from the Lord's estate. This system influenced the distribution of land and shaped family wealth over generations. Some branches of the Corrin family appear to have successfully maintained their holdings over centuries, while others saw their lands subdivided or sold as economic conditions changed.<ref name=":0" />

===Ireland=== In Ireland, the name is a variation of the last name Curran, which is Gaelic for ''O'Corraidhin'' or "descendant of Corraidhin", a personal name from a diminutive form of the byname derived from "corradh", meaning "spear".<ref>{{Cite web |title=Surname Database: Corrin Last Name Origin |url=https://www.surnamedb.com/Surname/Corrin |website=The Internet Surname Database}}</ref> ''Corrin'' may also represent anglicized forms of ''Mac Corraidhin'', meaning "little spear".

===Scotland=== thumb|280x280px|St. Oran's Chapel, located on the island of Iona off the western coast of Scotland. In Scotland, The name of ''Corrin'' is derived from similar ethnic origins and can be found in the Highlands and Lowlands of Scotland. The surname is a contraction of ''Mac Odhráin'' or fuller ''Mac GilleOdrain'' (from the personal name Odhrán). This surname is considered to be an patronymic name, meaning "son of Odhran".<ref>{{Cite web |title=Corrin Name Meaning & Corrin Family History at Ancestry.ca® |url=https://www.ancestry.ca/name-origin?surname=corrin&geo_a=r&geo_s=ca&geo_t=ca&geo_v=2.0.0&o_iid=41016&o_lid=41016&o_sch=Web+Property |website=www.ancestry.ca}}</ref> The personal name ''Odhrán'' means "pale-faced" or "the little pale-faced one". The family names of ''MacCorran'' and ''Mac Oran'' are present in other parts in Scotland, predominantly in Argyllshire.

The surname of ''MacCorran'' is also derived from similar origins and is found on the islands of Islay and Colonsay in Argyllshire, where they are considered to be a sept of Clan MacDonald of Dunnyveg, a branch of Clan Donald in the Scottish Highlands.<ref name="clandonaldusa.org">{{Cite web|url=https://clandonaldusa.org/index.php/names-of-clan-donald/names-maca-to-macj|title=Names - MacA to MacJ | Clan Donald USA, Inc.|website=clandonaldusa.org}}</ref> According to the official sept list of Clan Donald, the name is derived from the Gaelic MacGille Odhrain, meaning "son of the servant of St. Odhran".<ref name="clandonaldusa.org"/> In addition, there is a medieval chapel called St Oran's Chapel that is located on the island of Iona in the Inner Hebrides off the west coast of Scotland. This chapel is dedicated to Oran of Iona, who was a companion of Saint Columba in Iona. The name of ''Mac Oran'' is said to be a sept of Clan Campbell. In the sources provided by the ''Clan Campbell Society (North America)'', it is the same rendering of ''MacCorran'', or more accurately, ''McCorran''.<ref name="auto">{{Cite book|url=http://hdl.handle.net/2027/mdp.39015011274175|title=The surnames of Scotland, their origin meaning and history /|first=George Fraser|last=Black|date=October 10, 1962|publisher=New York|hdl=2027/mdp.39015011274175}}</ref> According to family tradition, a young Campbell of Melfort took the alias name of ''McOran'', after having killed a man named "MacColl" in the later seventeenth century. Having to leave Argyll, he took under the servitude of the Earl in Menteith, who in return awarded him a farm in ''Inchanoch''. He married a Miss Haldane, the niece to Haldane of Lanrick, and the family prospered. Once they were away at sea, they reassumed the names of Campbell, having connections in Argyllshire.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.ccsna.org/septs-of-clan-campbell |title=Septs of Clan Campbell | Clan Campbell |access-date=2020-07-19 |archive-date=2020-09-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200920052851/https://www.ccsna.org/septs-of-clan-campbell |url-status=dead }}</ref>

There appears to be a documented name of ''Dugald M'Corran'' that appears in Fernoch, Kilmelford in 1698.<ref name="auto"/>

==Notable people== Notable people with the surname include:

* Brian Corrin (born 1945), Canadian Politician * Emma Corrin (born 1995), English actor * Hattie M. Strong (née Corrin), American philanthropist * Matthew Corrin (born 1982), Canadian businessman * Penelope Corrin (born 1975), Canadian actor and writer * Jack Corrin (1932–2019), Manx politician and deemster on the Isle of Man * James Robinson Corrin, Manx preacher and politician, co-founder of the Manx Labour Party * John Corrin (1934–2005), Manx politician and Government Minister * Thomas Corrin (1878–1936), English footballer

==References== {{Reflist}}

{{surname|Corrin}} Category:Gaelic families of Norse descent Category:Manx-language surnames Category:Norse-Gaels Category:Patronymic surnames Category:Surnames of Manx origin

Corrin (surname)

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