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 songwriterAdam Devlin (Born 1966), Australian Writer/Political Commentator/Radio PersonalityAlex Devlin (born 1949), Canadian basketball playerAnne Devlin (1780–1851), Irish housekeeper to Robert Emmett; cousin of Michael Dwyer and Arthur DevlinAnne Devlin (writer) (contemporary), Northern Irish writerArt Devlin (baseball) (1879–1948), American professional baseball playerBen Devlin (contemporary), British television executive producerBernadette Devlin McAliskey (born 1947), Northern Ireland Republican political activist MP from Mid UlsterBernard Devlin (September 2, 1923 - 1983), Canadian film producer, script writer and directorBruce Devlin (born 1937), Australian professional golfer, sportscaster, and golf course designerChris Devlin-Young (born 1961), American paralytic ski racerDaniel Devlin (1814–February 22, 1867), a prosperous businessman, city chamberlain, and prominent citizen of New York CityDean Devlin (born 1962), American screenwriter and producerDenis Devlin (1908–1959), Irish modernist poet and diplomatDesmond Devlin (contemporary), American comedy writerDon Devlin (1930-2000), American actor, screenwriter and producerErnie Devlin (1920-1976), English footballerFay Devlin (contemporary), Irish Gaelic footballerHarry Devlin (contemporary) (born 1918), American artist and cartoonistJ. G. Devlin (1907–1991), Northern Irish actor from BelfastDevlin (rapper) (born 1989), British rapperJanet Devlin (born 1994), Northern Irish singer, finalist on The X Factor (UK series 8)Jim Devlin (1849–1883), American professional baseball playerJoseph Devlin (1872–1934), Northern Ireland Nationalist politician, MP from BelfastKeith Devlin (contemporary), English mathematician and writerJohn H. Devlin Irish musicianLarry Devlin (contemporary), American former CIA officerMark D. Devlin (1948–2005), American authorMatthew Devlin (born 1996), professional modelMatt Devlin (contemporary), Irish member of the IRA and Sinn FéinMatt Devlin (sportscaster) (contemporary), American sportscasterMichael Devlin (musician) (born 1942), American opera bass-baritoneMichael J. Devlin (born 1965), pleaded guilty to kidnapping two children in Missouri, USAMike Devlin (entrepreneur) (contemporary), co-founder and CEO of Rational Software CorporationMike Devlin (athlete) (born 1969), American professional football playerMurray Devlin (1924–2002), Canadian artistPaddy Devlin (1925–1999), Northern Ireland MP from StormontPatrick Devlin, Baron Devlin (1905–1992), British judgePaul Devlin (footballer) (born 1972), professional football player (Sheffield United, Birmingham City, Watford, Scotland)Paul Devlin (filmmaker) (contemporary), sports editor and documentary filmmakerPaul S Devlin, (Artist Lead Singer in Rock band All Proud) born 1961Stuart Devlin (born 1931), British coin engraverTim Devlin (born 1959), British politician, MP from Stockton SouthWilliam Devlin, various peopleErnie Devlin, the title character from the 1974 Hanna-Barbera cartoon series DevlinJack Devlin, character in the movie The NetGovernor James Devlin, character in the HBO drama OzLiam 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 seriesDuke Devlin, the English version of the character Ryuki Otogi, from the Yu-Gi-Oh! animeClark Devlin, a primary character in the movie, The TuxedoDevlin Agamand, a character in the video game World Of WarcraftMatt Devlin, a character from Law & Order: UKMax 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 GouldSean Devlin, the protagonist of the game The SaboteurT.R. Devlin, American government agent portrayed by Cary Grant in NotoriousDevlin Waugh, title character of the comic strip Devlin Waugh, published in British comics 2000 AD (comics) and Judge Dredd Magazine
