Surname Devine - Meaning and Origin

Tracing Familial Snowflakes: Unraveling the European Lineage of the Devine Surname through iGENEA's DNA Analysis

Embarking on a journey to uncover the history of my family name with iGENEA's DNA analysis, I discovered that the Devine surname has a fascinating lineage. Originated in Ireland and connected to a broader European genetics group, it showed me more than just the geographic origin, but a blend of various cultures. The exploration of genetic pathways has given the name Devine a profound meaning and engraved into the family symbol a touch of ancient European lineage.

X. Devine

Devine: What does the surname Devine mean?

The surname Devine is of Irish origin derived from the Gaelic name "Ó Daimhín" meaning "descendant of Daimhín." The personal name Daimhín is derived from the word ‘daimh’ which means ‘ox.’ Therefore, this surname has connections to strength or a strong person. It is most commonly found in the counties of Tyrone and Fermanagh in the northern part of Ireland. The name has also been anglicized over time, sometimes being spelled as Devin, Devenny, or Devane. Despite these different spellings, all carry the connotations of strength or fortitude that reflect the origin.

Devine: Where does the name Devine come from?

The surname Devine is of Irish origin. It stems from the Old Gaelic name "O'Daimhin", which is derived from the word "damh", meaning ox, and the suffix "-in", meaning little. Thus, its literal meaning is "descendant of the little ox". This name initially functioned as a nickname to perhaps an ox herder or a small, robust person. The name has several variants, including Davin, Devane, and Devan, among others.

Traditionally, the family who bore this name was seated in the county of Fermanagh, in Northern Ireland. However, after the 12th century, due to sociopolitical disruptions, families were forced to migrate, thus leading to the spread of the name beyond its place of origination.

Today, the surname is common in Ireland and is widespread in the Anglosphere due to the mass Irish diaspora, especially during the Great Famine in the 19th century. Hence, the name can be found notably in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia.

Variations of the surname Devine

The surname Devine is of Irish origin and was originally recorded as "O'Daimhin," which has been anglicized many times over the centuries leading to a multitude of variants and spellings.

Some common variations include Devane, O’Devine, Davin, Devan, Devlin, Deveney, Devenny, Devanny, Devaney, Devin, Devanney, Devane, O'Deveney, O'Devany, O'Devine, Davine, Deveen, Devyne, Diven, and Divan among others.

This surname can also appear with prefixes like "Mac" or "O'" depending on the version of the original Gaelic name being translated, leading to names like "MacDevine" or "O'Devine". These prefixes originally indicated son of (Mac) or descendant of (O') the original bearer of the name 'Daimhin.'

In some cases, Devine may also be a variant of the French surname "Devin," which is derived from the old French "devin," meaning divine or heavenly.

The surname has migrated across the globe due to various factors such as immigration and colonization. Therefore, it is common to find the surname and its variants in countries such as America, Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom.

All these versions are related to the original Gaelic name and represent the same family lineage. However, over time, they have evolved into separate, distinct surnames.

Famous people with the name Devine

• Adam Devine: An American actor, comedian, and producer best known for his roles in "Pitch Perfect" and "Workaholics".
• Andy Devine: A character actor and comic cowboy sidekick known for his distinctive raspy voice.
• Loretta Devine: An American actress known for her roles in "Grey's Anatomy" and "Waiting to Exhale".
• Danny Devine: A Scottish professional footballer who plays for Inverness Caledonian Thistle.
• Alan Devine: An Irish actor best known for his work in "Vikings" and "Leap Year".
• Violetta Devine: A Russian-born Australian actress who has appeared in films such as "Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome".
• Kevin Devine: An American songwriter and musician known for his prolific solo career and his part in the indie rock duo, Bad Books.
• Michael Devine: Activist and a member of the Irish National Liberation Army who died in the 1981 Irish hunger strike.
• Jeremy Devine: A Canadian-born film producer and distributor known for his work with Troma Entertainment.
• John Devine: A retired American football player who played offensive lineman for the Green Bay Packers.
• Tom Devine: A well-known Scottish historian, often referred to as Scotland's 'national historian'.
• Cluster Devine Jr.: An American producer known for "The Haunting Of".
• Glenn Devine: A Scottish professional footballer who plays for Stirling Albion.

Other surnames

Devin