Devlin (surname)

Devlins can trace their ultimate descent from the People of Develin, known individually as O'Develin, who lived under their chief, known as O'Develin or The O'Develin, on land situated on the extreme northeastern part of the present County of Tyrone, bordering on Lough Neagh and the Ballinderry River. The O'Develins claimed a common descent from Develin (in Irish: Dobhuilen i.e. 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.

Alternative spellings of the name are or Develon, Develin, Deveyn, Devellen, Dobhilen, Dobhailen, Dobhailean, Dobhalen, Doibhilen, Doibhelen, Doibhilein, Dhoibhilein, Dubhalen, Doibhlin, Dubhlein, Dubhlein, Dubhlin, Dubhlen, Dublein, Duiblein.^{[citation needed]}

History

After the Battle of Downpatrick, MacNamee, hereditary poet of 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 latter 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
• Anne Devlin (1780–1851), Irish housekeeper to Robert Emmett; cousin of Michael Dwyer and Arthur Devlin
• Anne Devlin (contemporary), Northern Ireland writer
• Art Devlin (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 Paralympic ski racer
• Daniel Joseph Devlin (1814–February 22, 1867), a prosperous businessman, City Chamberlain, and prominent citizen of New York City
• Denis Devlin (1908–1959), Irish modernist poet and diplomat
• Desmond Devlin (contemporary), American comedy writer
• Fay Devlin (contemporary), Irish Gaelic footballer
• George Devlin (contemporary), American WWII Living Historian
• Harry Devlin (contemporary) (born 1918), American artist and cartoonist
• James Gerard Devlin (1907–1991), Northern Ireland actor from Belfast
• James Devlin (1989 - present) UK rapper known by his stage name of "Devlin"
• Janet Devlin (born 1994), Northern Ireland singer, finalist of 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 IRA and Sinn Féin
• Matt Devlin (contemporary), American sportscaster
• Michael Devlin (born 1942), American opera bass-baritone
• Michael J. Devlin (born 1965), pleaded guilty to kidnapping two children in Missouri, USA
• Mike Devlin (contemporary), cofounder and CEO of Rational Software Corporation
• Mike Devlin (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 (born 1972), Scottish football player
• Paul Devlin (contemporary), sports editor and documentary filmmaker
• 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 Sandra Bullock 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 Jackie Chan 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 Megazine

References

1. Surnames of the United Kingdom,Henry Harrison 1826
2. Genalogical History of the Milesian Families of Ireland D.W. De Courcy
3. Genealogical History of the Irish Families John Rooney
4. Devlins history of his people,.JB Devlin
5. Index to the Prerogative Wills of Ireland (1536-1810)
6. Calender of the State Papers,Ireland May 8,1647
7. The Story of an Irish Sept Professor Joseph Chubb Develin D.Litt
8. The Annuals of Ulster 1103