Mac Cnáimhín

Rev Patrick Woulfe

1923

Mac CNÁIMHÍN—IV—M'Cnavin, M'Knavin, MacNevin, Navin, Neavin, Nevin, Neven, Nivin, Nevins; 'son of Cnáimhín' (diminutive of cnámh, a bone); the name of an ancient family in Co. Galway, who were chiefs of a district in Ui Maine and seated at Crannag MacNevin, in the parish of Tynagh. The name is first mentioned in the Annals of the Four Masters at the year 1159. The chief in the time of Elizabeth was Hugh MacKnavin. He went out in rebellion, was taken and hanged on the 4th June, 1602, and his lands granted to the Earl of Clanrickard. Other members of the family possessed considerable property at the beginning of the 17th century. The celebrated Dr. MacNevin of the United Irishmen was the last supposed head of the family.

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