Flynn is an Irish surname or first name, an anglicised form of the Irish Ó Floinn, meaning "descendant of Flann" (a byname meaning "reddish (complexion)" or "ruddy"). The name is more commonly used as a surname rather than a first name. According to John O'Donovan's 1849 works, the modern descendants of Lugaid mac Con include the O'Driscolls, O'Learys, Coffeys, Hennessys and Flynns of County Cork. Notable persons with the surname Acting Barbara Flynn (born 1948), English actress Brandon Flynn (born 1993), American actor Daniel Flynn (actor) (born 1961), English actor Errol Flynn (1909–1959), Australian-American movie actor Jerome Flynn (born 1963), English actor and singer Jimmy Flynn (1934-2022), American actor Joe Flynn (American actor) (1924–1974), American actor Miriam Flynn (born 1952), American character and voice actress Neil Flynn (born 1960), American actor known for his role on the American TV series Scrubs Quinton Flynn (born 1964), American voice actor , American actor known for his role on the American TV series Zoey 101 Art and writing Daniel J. Flynn, American conservative writer Gillian Flynn (born 1971), American writer Greg Flynn, Australian novelist John T. Flynn (1882–1964), U.S. journalist and writer Michael Flynn (writer) (born 1947), American science fiction writer Nick Flynn (born 1960), poet and writer Tom Flynn (author) (born 1955), journalist Vince Flynn (1966–2013), American writer Law and policing Edmund James Flynn (1847–1927), attorney in Canada Edward A. Flynn (born c. 1948), Chief of the Milwaukee Police Department William J. Flynn (1867–1928), director of the Bureau of Investigation from 1919 to 1921 Music Billy Flynn (musician) (born 1956), American blues guitarist, singer and songwriter Charles O'Flynn, American songwriter Dave Flynn (born 1977), Irish composer and musician Jim Flynn (songwriter) (born 1938), American country music songwriter Johnny Flynn (musician) (born 1983), musician Liam O'Flynn, traditional Irish musician Matt Flynn (musician) (born 1970), drummer for the band Maroon 5 Patrick Flynn (composer) (1936–2008), composer and conductor Patti Flynn (1937–2020), jazz singer, author, radio actress, model and social activist Robert Flynn, guitarist for the Bay Area metal band Machine Head Politics and governance Dan Flynn (politician) (born 1943), Texas politician Dennis Flynn, Canadian politician (1923–2003), 5th Toronto Metro Chairman 1984–1987 Edward J. Flynn (1891–1953), American politician, Secretary of State of New York 1929–1939 Elizabeth Gurley Flynn (1890–1964), political activist John Flynn (Irish politician) (died 1968), Fianna Fáil politician from Kerry John Flynn (New Brunswick politician) (born 1954), former bank manager and political figure