Devlin (surname)
The surname Devlin can be traced to the people of Develin, known individually as O'Develin. The O'Develin chiefdom was situated on the extreme northeastern part of the present-day County of Tyrone, bordering on Lough Neagh and the Ballinderry River. The O'Develins claimed a common descent from Develin (in Irish: Dobhuilen or "Raging Valour", an Irish noble of the royal blood of Aileach who flourished in or about the eighth century AD and was eighth in descent from Owen, the founder of the clan). Develin was a scion of that branch of the clan Owen known as the Sons of Erca (Cenel Mic Erca) because of their descent from Muirchertach Mac Erca, grandson of Owen.
While this may be so for the nobler bearers of the name (not to be confused with "the middle class protestant Devlins of Cookstown" referred to by Bernadette Devlin in "The Price of My Soul") it is tempting to suppose that Dubh Lind is more likely for the majority, - see Wikipedia on Dublin.
Alternative spellings of the name are Develon, Develin, Devlin, Deveyn, Devellen, Dobhilen, Dobhailen, Dobhailean, Dobhalen, Doibhilen, Doibhelen, Doibhilein, Dhoibhilein, Dubhalen, Doibhlin, Dubhlein, Dubhlein, Dubhlin, Dubhlen, Dublein and Duiblein.
History
After the Battle of Downpatrick, MacNamee, hereditary poet, O'Neill, composed a poem called The Lament for O'Neill, in which he bewails the death of his king and the numerous nobles of his race who were slain with him. Among the nobles was O'Develin of whom the poet sings:
"Alas! Deep grief overspread the country To anticipate the death of O'Develin Gofraidh our grief unto Judgement Day Generous of his banquet was his youth"
Persons
- Adam Devlin (born 1969), English guitarist and songwriter
- Adam Devlin (Born 1966), Australian Writer/Political Commentator/Radio Personality
- Anne Devlin (1780–1851), Irish housekeeper to Robert Emmett; cousin of Michael Dwyer and Arthur Devlin
- Anne Devlin (writer) (contemporary), Northern Irish writer
- Art Devlin (baseball) (1879–1948), American professional baseball player
- Ben Devlin (contemporary), British television executive producer
- Bernadette Devlin McAliskey (born 1947), Northern Ireland Republican political activist MP from Mid Ulster
- Bruce Devlin (born 1937), Australian professional golfer, sportscaster, and golf course designer
- Chris Devlin-Young (born 1961), American paralytic ski racer
- Daniel Devlin (1814–February 22, 1867), a prosperous businessman, city chamberlain, and prominent citizen of New York City
- Dean Devlin (born 1962), American screenwriter and producer
- Denis Devlin (1908–1959), Irish modernist poet and diplomat
- Desmond Devlin (contemporary), American comedy writer
- Don Devlin (1930-2000), American actor, screenwriter and producer
- Ernie Devlin (1920-1976), English footballer
- Fay Devlin (contemporary), Irish Gaelic footballer
- George Devlin (contemporary), American WWII living historian
- Harry Devlin (contemporary) (born 1918), American artist and cartoonist
- Jeff Devlin (born 1964), American professional triathlete and coach
- J. G. Devlin (1907–1991), Northern Irish actor from Belfast
- Devlin (rapper) (born 1989), British rapper
- Janet Devlin (born 1994), Northern Irish singer, finalist on The X Factor (UK series 8)
- Jim Devlin (1849–1883), American professional baseball player
- Joseph Devlin (1872–1934), Northern Ireland Nationalist politician, MP from Belfast
- Keith Devlin (contemporary), English mathematician and writer
- John H. Devlin Irish musician
- Larry Devlin (contemporary), American former CIA officer
- Mark D. Devlin (1948–2005), American author
- Matt Devlin (contemporary), Irish member of the IRA and Sinn Féin
- Matt Devlin (sportscaster) (contemporary), American sportscaster
- Michael Devlin (musician) (born 1942), American opera bass-baritone
- Michael J. Devlin (born 1965), pleaded guilty to kidnapping two children in Missouri, USA
- Mike Devlin (entrepreneur) (contemporary), co-founder and CEO of Rational Software Corporation
- Mike Devlin (athlete) (born 1969), American professional football player
- Murray Devlin (1924–2002), Canadian artist
- Paddy Devlin (1925–1999), Northern Ireland MP from Stormont
- Patrick Devlin, Baron Devlin (1905–1992), British judge
- Paul Devlin (footballer) (born 1972), professional football player (Sheffield United, Birmingham City, Watford, Scotland)
- Paul Devlin (filmmaker) (contemporary), sports editor and documentary filmmaker
- Paul S Devlin, (Artist Lead Singer in Rock band All Proud) born 1961
- Stuart Devlin (born 1931), British coin engraver
- Tim Devlin (born 1959), British politician, MP from Stockton South
Fictional characters
- Ernie Devlin, the titular character from the 1974 Hanna-Barbera cartoon series Devlin
- Jack Devlin, character in the movie The Net
- Governor James Devlin, character in the HBO drama Oz
- Liam Devlin, an IRA agent cooperating with the Germans in the Jack Higgins novel The Eagle has Landed (played in the 1976 movie by Donald Sutherland)
- Suzanne Devlin, character in the Sweet Valley High book series
- Duke Devlin, the English version of the character Ryuki Otogi, from the Yu-Gi-Oh! anime
- Clark Devlin, a primary character in the movie, The Tuxedo
- Devlin Agamand, a character in the video game World Of Warcraft
- Max Devlin, the shady landlord who makes a deal with the Devil to try and convince three other people to sell their souls to take his place in Hell in The Devil and Max Devlin, played by Elliott Gould
- Sean Devlin, the protagonist of the game The Saboteur
- T.R. Devlin, American government agent portrayed by Cary Grant in Notorious
- Devlin Waugh, titular character in the comic strip Devlin Waugh, published in British comics 2000 AD (comics) and Judge Dredd Magazine
References
- Surnames of the United Kingdom,Henry Harrison 1826
- Gena-logical History of the Milesian Families of Ireland D.W. De Courcy
- Genealogical History of the Irish Families John Rooney
- Devlins history of his people,.JB Devlin
- Index to the Prerogative Wills of Ireland (1536-1810)
- Calendar of the State Papers,Ireland May 8, 1647
- The Story of an Irish Sept Professor Joseph Chubb Develin D.Litt
- The Annuals of Ulster 1103