MCDONELL
Recorded variant spellings include Mc Donell, Mcdonell
McDonell
McDonell is a prominent Scottish surname with links to Irish origins. The name McDonell is derived from the Gaelic name 'Mac Dhomhnaill', which means 'son of Domhnall'. The name Domhnall comes from the Old Irish word 'dumno' which means 'world' and 'val' meaning 'rule', giving the name a significant meaning of 'ruler of the world'.
The McDonell family has a long and illustrious history, with roots in the Western Highlands of Scotland. The clan has been associated with various territories over the centuries, including Glengarry, Keppoch, and Lochaber. The McDonells were known for their fierce loyalty and played a significant role in Scottish history, especially during the turbulent times of the Jacobite uprisings.
The McDonell clan crest features a hand holding a cross, with the Latin motto "Per mare, per terras" which translates to "By sea, by land". This reflects the adventurous spirit and resilience of the McDonell family throughout history.
Today, the McDonell surname is found not only in Scotland but also in Ireland, Canada, and other countries with a strong Scottish diaspora. Many individuals bearing the McDonell name continue to uphold their proud heritage and traditions, keeping alive the legacy of their ancestors.
Typical given names associated with the McDonell surname
Male
- Alexander
- Andrew
- Donald
- Duncan
- Finlay
- Iain
- Ian
- James
- John
- Kevin
- Stephen
- Steve
- William
Female
- Alice
- Anne
- Claire
- Corinne
- Frances
- Hazel
- Jacqueline
- Judith
- Lisa
- Margaret
- Nicola
- Sarah
- Susan
- Vivienne
Similar and related surnames
- MacDonald
- McDonald
- Macdonall
- Macdonal
- Mcdonel
- Macdonell
- Macdonnall
- Macdonnel
- Macdonneld
- Macdonnell
- Mackdonal
- Mackdonell
- Mcdanel
- Mcdanell
- Mcdaniell
- Mcdannell
- Mcdonal
- Mcdonalds
- Mcdonall
- Mcdongall
- Mcdonie
- Mcdonna
- Mcdonnald
- Mcdonnall
- Mcdonnel
- Mcdonnell
- Macdona
- Macdonalds
- Macdonnald
- Mcdomiell
- Mcdonagh
- Mcdonlad
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.
How to communicate the surname McDonell in...
Braille
⠍⠉⠙⠕⠝⠑⠇⠇
Morse
---.-.-..----...-...-..
Semaphore
There are approximately 128 people named McDonell in the UK. That makes it one of Britain's least common surnames. Only around two in a million people in Britain are named McDonell.
Origin: Celtic
Region of origin: British Isles
Country of origin: Scotland
Religion of origin: Christian
Language of origin: Gaelic
Famous people named McDonell
- Fergus McDonell - Film editor and film director (1910 to 1984)
- William Fraser McDonell - Recipient of the Victoria Cross (1829 to 1894)
Names and descriptions courtesy of Wikipedia, and may contain errors. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of every famous person with this name.