The Devine Family

Devine family crest

(Crest No. 286. Plate 29.)

THE Devine family is descended from Milesius, King of Spain, through the line of his son Ir. The founders of the family were Fergus, King of Connaught, and his Queen, Maude, A. D. 60. The ancient name was O’Duane, and signifies “Grandson of the Poet.”

The possessions of the sept were located in the present County of Meath. The O’Devines were also chiefs of Tir-Kennedy, a barony in the east of the County of Fermanagh. This latter family are of the same race as the Maguires and MacMahons of Oriel. The O’Devines were Lords of Fermanagh before the Maguires had obtained the chief sway in that territory.

The name is still very numerous in the Counties of Londonderry and Tyrone. There are many of the name in the United States, among whom Mr. James T. Divine, proprietor of the Shoreham Hotel, in Washington, is well known.