MCNEIL
Also recorded as Mc Neil, Mcneil
McNeil
McNeil is a Scottish and Irish surname that is of Gaelic origin. The name is derived from the Gaelic "Mac Néill," meaning "son of Néill." The personal name Néill (or Neil) itself is a Gaelic name meaning "champion."
Origins
The McNeil surname was historically found in both Scotland and Ireland, particularly in the Western Isles of Scotland and in Ulster in Northern Ireland. The name has variations such as MacNeil, MacNeill, and even O'Neill in its Irish form.
History
The McNeil clan was associated with the Western Isles of Scotland, particularly with the Isle of Barra. They were known for their strength and their allegiance to the Lord of the Isles. In Ireland, variations of the name were associated with the powerful O'Neill dynasty in Ulster, one of the most prominent families in Irish history.
Notable Individuals
- Flora McNeill: Famous Scottish singer and tradition bearer of Gaelic songs.
- Sean MacNeill: Irish nationalist and founder of the Irish Volunteers in 1913.
- Ellen O'Neill: British actress known for her roles in various theatre productions.
References
- Reaney, P. H., & Wilson, R. M. (1997). A dictionary of English surnames. Oxford University Press.
- Hanks, P., Coates, R., & McClure, P. (2016). The Oxford Dictionary of Family Names in Britain and Ireland. Oxford University Press.
There are approximately 7,493 people named McNeil in the UK. That makes it roughly the 1,251st most common surname in Britain. Around 115 in a million people in Britain are named McNeil.
Surname type: From name of parent
Origin: Celtic
Region of origin: British Isles
Country of origin: Scotland
Religion of origin: Christian
Language of origin: Gaelic
Typical given names associated with the surname
Male
- Alexander
- Andrew
- David
- Ian
- James
- John
- Paul
- Robert
- Thomas
- William
Female
- Anne
- Caroline
- Catherine
- Elizabeth
- Helen
- Jacqueline
- Jean
- Karen
- Margaret
- Mary
- Patricia
- Sarah
- Susan
Similar and related surnames
- Mackneil
- Macknell
- Mcniel
- Mcneila
- Mcneile
- Macneal
- Macneall
- Macneel
- Macneela
- Macneil
- Macneill
- Macneillie
- Macnell
- Macnely
- Macniell
- Mcnail
- Mcnall
- Mcnaly
- Mcnaul
- Mcneal
- Mcneale
- Mcnealey
- Mcneall
- Mcneally
- Mcnealy
- Mcneel
- Mcneela
- Mcneeley
- Mcneely
- Mcneilage
- Mcneilie
- Mcneilis
- Mcneill
- Mcneillage
- Mcneille
- Mcneillie
- Mcneillis
- Mcneilly
- Mcneily
- Mcnelis
- Mcnell
- Mcnella
- Mcnelley
- Mcnellie
- Mcnellis
- Mcnelly
- Mcniell
- Mcnill
- Mckneale
- Mcnee
- Mcneigh
- Mcnellan
- McNally
- McNeish
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.