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I have noticed a lot of posts as regards Harkin origins in Ireland. Here it is in a nutshell. The O'hEarcain sept originated on the Inishowen peninsula in North West Donegal and the name is SPECIFIC to this area. All Harkin bloodlines originate from this small area. It is believed hereabouts that the sept and the name are of distant Norse, specifically Norwegian, origins, a Gaelicisation of the name Haakon, and there are some genetic markers which go some way to confirm this but it is almost impossible to prove short of a mass dna screening. The Harkins have just always been there. It has been mentioned that they appear as 'erenaghs' of Clonagh in Inishowen, a parish leadership position which was somewhat of a token position in place of old Chieftain positions. When the land around the ancient Harkin lands was parcelled up by the British and distributed among errant English aristocrats some roles were changed and diminished.
Our Family is only 2 generations away from these Donegal origins, my Grandfather having moved into Derry City when he married my Grandmother. Red hair and a very specific shade of light blue eyes have marked several generations of my family as well as a strange family trait involving the nerves of the thumb on the left hand which have a tendency to spasm drawing the thumb inwards. Apparently this is a trait in the bloodline on the male side. As is military service. Harkins have been involved in numerous Irish rebellions stretching back to the early 1600's rising of Cathir o'Doherty as well as serving in uniform in almost every modern conflict.
As has been mentioned, there are Harkin cemeteries in Tennessee and Atoka Oklahoma, the latter being a Confederate cemetery, and several Harkin lines became intertwined with the Choctaw and Chickasaw tribes. George W. Harkins being a famous example but there are still full-blood Choctaw families carrying the Harkin name. My Grandfather was apparently always fascinated by the First Nation tribes and, we can only speculate, but my Father believes he was in touch with many of his relatives Stateside as he was a well traveled man during his time in the Army.
I noticed a post from someone claiming to be a steward or some other title within our sept. The chances of such a post existing without the knowledge of my family are slim to none and most of the information which he made available is easily accessible with time and patience on the internet.
Some of this is merely stated what was already known, but I hope some of it was new or at least useful.
Chris
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