There are several different unrelated Irish families of which Lynch is the anglicized form, including: • According to historian C. Thomas Cairney, the O'Lynches were from the
Dal nAraide tribe who came to Ireland with the
Cruthin who were the first wave of
Celts to come to Ireland from between about 800 and 500
BC. However, Cairney also states that the Lynches came to Ireland with the
Norman invasion of the late 12th century. • Ó Loingsigh, meaning "descendant of Loingseach" (having or belonging to a fleet of ships), which was anglicized as Lynchy, Lynskey and
Lindsey. According to the early twentieth century genealogical authority, the Rev. Patrick Wolfe, there were several different kindreds with this name in early medieval Ireland. One group were amongst the lords of the kingdom of
Dál Riata in north-eastern Ulster during the 11th century until they were displaced by the Normans. Other Ó Loingsigh families were to be found in Tipperary, Briefne (modern day Leitrim) and Thomond (present day Clare and Limerick). In West Cork, a group of Ó Loingsigh were a branch of the Corca Laoighe. • Mac Loingsigh – Clynch, Lynch, Mac Glinchy,
MacClintock, McClinton • Mac Loingseacháin – Lynchseanaun, Lynch • de Lench, an Anglo-Norman name, which became one of the
Tribes of Galway. It is this wealthy landowning line that was elevated to the baronetage as the
Lynch baronets of Galway. The family line later extended to Argentine upon the emigration of
Patrick Lynch. ==See also==