Clan MacNeacail

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Clan MacNeacail, or Clan MacNicol, is a Highland Scottish clan long associated with the Isle of Skye.

Contents 1 History 1.1 Origins of the Clan 1.2 Wars of Scottish Independence 1.3 15th Century 2 Clan Profile 3 Clan Seat 4 Septs of Clan MacNeacail 5 References 6 See also 7 External links

[edit] History

[edit] Origins of the Clan

Originally known as Mackrycul and then MacNicol and then later MacNeacil. The origin of the name Mac Neacail in (Gaelic means "Son of Nicol". The MacNeacils are believed to be of Norse and Viking origin with their name also being frequent in Scandinavia.

It is believed that the MacNeacails formed part of two large Viking bands which ravaged the east coast of England and formed colonies under the names of Nicholl and Nicholson in Northumberland and Cumberland. They also spread to the area in Scotland now known as Argyll and are said to have sent warriors to participate in the tribal wars in Ireland. Some members of the clan settled in the north of Ireland where their descendants can still be found today.

The first MacNeacail chief on record in Scotland was John, son of Neacal in the early fourteenth century. He appears in the company of leading Hebridean chiefs, Macdonald, Macdougald and Macruairi, descendants of Somerled, who had wrested control of the southern Hebrides.

[edit] Wars of Scottish Independence

in the 14th century during the Wars of Scottish Independence the Clan MacNeacil fought against the English for King Robert I of Scotland at the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314.

[edit] 15th Century

The Clan MacNeacail are known to have supported the Clan Donald and their chief who was Lord of the Isles. The MacNeacils were considerd important enough to sit on the MacDonald's council.

[edit] Clan Profile

• Gaelic Names: MacNeacail (Surname) & Clann 'icNeacail (Collective).
• Motto: Meminisse sed Providere.
• Slogan: "Scorrybreac".
• Crest: A hawk’s head erased Gules
• Plant badge: Bramble in Flower Proper
• Arms: Or, a chevron between three hawk's heads erased Gules
• Chief: John MacNeacail of MacNeacail and Scorrybreac. The Chief resides in Ballina, NSW, Australia.

[edit] Clan Seat

• Scorrybreac, Isle of Skye, Scotland

[edit] Septs of Clan MacNeacail

• Nicolson
• Nicholson
• MacNicol
• Nicol
• Nicoll
• Nichol
• Nicolls
• Nicholls
• Nickel
• Nickell

[edit] References

• History of MacNicol, Nicolson, Nicholson. History. Retrieved on 04/04, 2005.

[edit] See also

• Nicolson

[edit] External links

• Clan MacNicol in North America
• Clan MacNicol Australia
• Canadian Clan MacNicol Society
• Clan MacNeacail {MyClan}
• The Clan Nicolson Genealogy's "Clan Nicolson Genealogy", by James L. Nicolson, Society of the Nicolson Clan