O'Devlin (Irish: Ó Doibhilin) is the surname of a Gaelic Irish family of the Uí Néill who were chiefs in the far northeastern of the present-day County of Tyrone, bordering on Lough Neagh and the Ballinderry River. The O'Develins claimed a common descent from Develin (in Irish: Dobhuilen or "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 Develon, Develin, Devlin, Deveyn, Devellen, Dobhilen, Dobhailen, Dobhailean, Dobhalen, Doibhilen, Doibhelen, Doibhilein, Dhoibhilein, Dubhalen, Doibhlin, Dubhlein, Dubhlein, Dubhlin, Dubhlen, Dublein and Duiblein.
After the Battle of Downpatrick, MacNamee, hereditary poet, 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 nobles 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"
Adam Devlin (born 1969), English guitarist and songwriter
Adam Devlin (Born 1966), Australian Writer/Political Commentator/Radio Personality
Alex Devlin (born 1949), Canadian basketball player
Anne Devlin (1780–1851), Irish housekeeper to Robert Emmett; cousin of Michael Dwyer and Arthur Devlin
Anne Devlin (writer) (contemporary), Northern Irish writer
Art Devlin (baseball) (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
Bernard Devlin (September 2, 1923 - 1983), Canadian film producer, script writer and director
Bruce Devlin (born 1937), Australian professional golfer, sportscaster, and golf course designer
Chris Devlin-Young (born 1961), American paralytic ski racer
Daniel Devlin (1814–February 22, 1867), a prosperous businessman, city chamberlain, and prominent citizen of New York City
Dean Devlin (born 1962), American screenwriter and producer
Denis Devlin (1908–1959), Irish modernist poet and diplomat
Desmond Devlin (contemporary), American comedy writer
Don Devlin (1930-2000), American actor, screenwriter and producer
Ernie Devlin (1920-1976), English footballer
Fay Devlin (contemporary), Irish Gaelic footballer
Harry Devlin (contemporary) (born 1918), American artist and cartoonist
J. G. Devlin (1907–1991), Northern Irish actor from Belfast
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Janet Devlin (born 1994), Northern Irish singer, finalist on 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
Matthew Devlin (born 1996), professional model
Matt Devlin (contemporary), Irish member of the IRA and Sinn Féin
Matt Devlin (sportscaster) (contemporary), American sportscaster
Michael Devlin (musician) (born 1942), American opera bass-baritone
Michael J. Devlin (born 1965), pleaded guilty to kidnapping two children in Missouri, USA
Mike Devlin (entrepreneur) (contemporary), co-founder and CEO of Rational Software Corporation
Mike Devlin (athlete) (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 (footballer) (born 1972), professional football player (Sheffield United, Birmingham City, Watford, Scotland)
Paul Devlin (filmmaker) (contemporary), sports editor and documentary filmmaker
Paul S Devlin, (Artist Lead Singer in Rock band All Proud) born 1961
Stuart Devlin (born 1931), British coin engraver
Tim Devlin (born 1959), British politician, MP from Stockton South
William Devlin, various people
Ernie Devlin, the title character from the 1974 Hanna-Barbera cartoon series Devlin
Jack Devlin, character in the 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 movie, The Tuxedo
Devlin Agamand, a character in the video game World Of Warcraft
Matt Devlin, a character from Law & Order: UK
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, title character of the comic strip Devlin Waugh, published in British comics 2000 AD (comics) and Judge Dredd Magazine
