Clan MacNeil
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The Clan MacNeil of Barra is one of the oldest Scottish clans: it claims descent from Niall of the Nine Hostages in Ireland in 379 AD and King Lóegaire mac Néill in Ireland in 428 AD. The seat of the clan is Kisimul Castle. Although the castle was at one time sold to raise money to pay off debts, and allowed to fall into disrepair, it was later re-purchased by the American-born Robert Lister MacNeil in 1937 and restored. Historic Scotland now leases the castle for one pound and one bottle of whisky per year for a lease term of 1000 years, from their leasor, Ian Roderick MacNeil, currently the 46th Chief of Clan MacNeil.
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[edit] Account of the MacNeil Clan
The MacNeil name comes up subtly and sometimes inconspicuously through Scottish history. From meeting quietly with the Norwegian King Haakon Haakonson on the island of Gigha just before the Battle of Largs, to being included in the Hy Niall dynasty from Ireland, this Viking/Gaelic Norse-Gaels hybrid of peoples have managed clan survival for almost 1700 years.
[edit] Norse Gaels
The Norse-Gaels were a people who dominated much of the Irish Sea region and western Scotland for a large part of the Middle Ages, whose aristocracy were mainly of Scandinavian origin, but as a whole exhibited a great deal of Gaelic and Norse cultural syncretism. They are generally known by the Gaelic name which they themselves used, of which "Norse-Gaels" is a translation. This term is subject to a large range of variations depending on chronological and geographical differences in the Gaelic language, i.e. Gall Gaidel, Gall Gaidhel, Gall Gaidheal, Gall Gaedil, Gall Gaedhil, Gall Gaedhel, Gall Goidel, etc, etc. The nativised presence of Norsemen in Ireland also lent at least one self-reference, that of Ostmen. Other modern translations used include Scoto-Norse, Hiberno-Norse and Foreign Gaels.
The Norse-Gaels originated in Viking colonists of Ireland, the Outer Hebrides and Scotland who became subject to the process of Gaelicization, whereby starting as early as the ninth century, they adopted the Gaelic language, and many other Gaelic customs, such as dress. The terminology was used both by native Irish and native Scots who wished to alienate these Hiberno-Norse, and by they themselves who wished to stress their Scandinavian heritage and their links with Norway and other parts of the Scandinavian world. Gaelicized Scandinavians dominated the Irish Sea region until the Norman era of the twelfth century, founding long-lasting kingdoms, such as the Kingdom of Man, Argyll, Dublin, York and Galloway. The Lords of the Isles, a Lordship which lasted until the sixteenth century, as well as many other Gaelic rulers of Scotland and Ireland, traced their descent from Norse-Gaels. Norse-Gaels are recorded as the allies of Harold Godwinson's sons in their battles against the Normans, which occurred circa 1069-1070.
[edit] MacNeil History
The Clan MacNeil were among the tribes of the Lords of the Isles, and its heads appear to have been of Norse or Danish origin. Mr. Thomas Smibert, Esq., in his authored works, The Clans of the Highlands of Scotland, being an Account of their Annals, Separately & Collectively, with Delineations of their Tartans, and Family Arms, observed “... the Clan MacNeil, is one of the best known of all, though never one of the most powerful in point of mere numbers.
The first of the MacNeil chieftains, it is said, appears in the authentic records of the fifteenth century, and was then lord of a strong castle and other property in Knapdale, on the mainland of Argylshire. As this castle was named Castle Sween - plainly a Norse term - it seems to us probable that the family of the MacNeils had either been installed in some of the possessions of the Norwegian colonists - since the isles and coasts of the west were at the very date ceded, and in part evacuated, by the rovers from the north of Europe - or, as it is not less possible, that the MacNeils were themselves in part of Norse descent, and kept their lands permanently. The arguments used relatively to the Macleods apply so far, in short, to the MacNeils.
The clan, it must always be held in mind, was in any case largely Gaelic to a certainty. We speak of the fundamental line of the chiefs mainly, when we say that the MacNeils, like the Macleods, appear to have at least shared in the blood of the old Scandinavian inhabitants of the western islands. The names of those of the race first found in history are partly indicative of such a lineage. The Isle of Barra, and certain lands in Uist, were chartered to a MacNeil in 1427; and, in 1472, a charter of the MacDonald family is witnessed by Hector Mactorquil Macneil, keeper of Castle Sween. The appellation of "Mac-Torquil," half Gaelic, half Norse, speaks strongly in favour of the supposition that the two races were at this very time in the act of blending into one people. After all, we proceed not beyond the conclusion, that, by heirs-male or heirs-female, the founders of the house possessed a sprinkling of the blood of the ancient Norwegian occupants of the western isles and coasts, interfused with that of the native Gael of Albyn, and also of the Celtic visitants from Ireland.
The Clan MacNeil fought on the side of MacDonald, Lord of the Isles, at The Battle of Bloody Bay in 1480, When William Dubh MacLeod was killed (or taken prisoner) supporting John MacDonald against his bastard son Angus Og Macdonald the flag was also said to have been unfurled in the Battle of Badh na Fola - the Battle of Bloody Bay. According to MacDonald chronicles William was taken prisoner by Angus Og and Allan Moidertach but had been so severely wounded that he died on his way back to Dunvegan. It is said by the Seanachie of Sleat that Ronald Bain, son of Allan the laird of Moidart seized MacLeods galley but an Irishman prevented it from being steered away by thrusting the blade of an oar below the stern post of the galley between it and the rudder. As already mentioned the flag was guarded by a dozen warriors and one after another of them was slain. There is a special account of one of them - Murchadh Breac (Murdo the pock-marked) who was struck by a spear and collapsed on deck of the galley but kept holding the flag up by sticking its pole into the gaping hole of his body until he was relieved of his charge by a comrade. On account of the Seanachie of MacDonald William Dubh was taken prisoner by Allan Moidertach and Angus Og. After the Battle of Bloody Bay the MacDonalds raided Skye on behalf of Clan Leod's part supporting John MacDonald against Angus Og. William Dubh must have been prisoner then as his son Alasdair was not yet chief of the clan when he withstood the raging MacDonalds and was severely wounded between the shoulders by a battleaxe from which he never really recovered. Thence he was hunchbacked and so comes his name Alasdair Crotach.
The proportion of Celtic blood, beyond doubt, is far the largest in the veins of the clan generally.
The Chiefs of Clan MacNeil (Clann Niall)
The Chiefs of Clan MacNeil (Clann Niall) are reckoned from Niall Naoighiallach (Naill of the Nine Hostages) also known as Niall Mor (Niall the Great). Niall became High King of Ireland in 379. All of the Clan MacNeil Chiefs descend from Niall. So far there have been 46 Chiefs of Clan MacNeil and since the 28th Chief, the first born male child has been named Roderick.
Niall Naoighiallach (Niall of the Nine Hostages) - High King of Ireland and eponym (literally "name man") of The Clan MacNeil
Eoghan (Eogan) - King of Aileach and Prince of Ulster
Muireadach - King of Aileach and Chief of Cinel Eoghan
Muirceartach Mor Mac Erca (The Great ~ Son of Erca) - King of Aileach and Chief of Cinel Eoghan
Donal Ilchealgach ( ~ the Deceitful) - High King of Ireland
Aodh Uariodhnach (Hugh of the Ague) - High King of Ireland
Maolfreach - Prince of Ulster
Maelduin - Prince of Ulster and Chief of Cinel Eoghan
Feargal (Fergal mac Máele Dúin) - High King of Ireland
Niall Frassach (Niall Frossach) (~ the Showery) - King of Aileach and Chief of Cinel Eoghan
Aodh Ordnigh (Áed Oirdnide mac Néill) (Hugh the Dignified) High King of Ireland
Naill Caille (Niall Caille mac Áeda (~ of the Callan) - High King of Ireland
Aodh Finnlaith (Aed Finliath) (Hugh the Hoary) - High King of Ireland, King of Aileach and Prince of Ulster
Niall Glundubh (Niall Glúndub) (~ Black Knee) - High King of Ireland
Muirceartach na Cochall Croiceann (Muircheartach, of Ailech) (~ of the Leather Cloaks) - High King of Ireland
Donal (of Armagh) - High King of Ireland
Muirceartach na Midhe (~ of Meath) - Prince of Ulster and Tyrone
Flathartach an Trostain (Flaherty of the Pilgrim's Staff) - King of Aileach and Prince of Ulster and Tyrone
Aodh Athlamh (Aedh Athlamhan, King of Ulster) (Hugh the Dextrous) - King of Aileach and Prince of Ulster and Tyrone (The last King of his line.)
Aodh Aonrachan (Hugh the Solitary)
Naill (of Barra or of the Castle)
Aodh (Hugh)
Donal
Muirceartach
Niall
Niall Og (Young ~)
Muirceartach
Roderick - Witnessed the charter by Donald, Lord of the Isles to Hector MacGilleon (Maclean of Duart) in 1409.
Gilleonan - Received the charter of the Isle of Barra and the lands of Boisdale in South Uist in 1427 from Alexander, Lord of the Isles.
Roderick - Court officer and councillor to John, Earl of Ross and Lord of the Isles
Gilleonan - In 1495 had the charter (which was revoked by James IV in 1491) of the Isle of Barra and Boisdale reconfirmed. This action removed the Superiority of the Lords of the Isles.
Gilleonan
Gilleonan
Roderick or Rory Og (Young ~)
Roderick or Rory the Tartar or Rory the Turbulent
Neil Og
Gilleonan
Roderick Dhu (~ The Black) - Received a Crown Charter of all the lands of Barra in 1688.
Roderick "Dove of the West"
Roderick "The Gentle"
Roderick "The General"
Hector Edward
Iain
Roderick Ambrose
Robert Lister
Ian Roderick
[edit] Religion
Because the MacNeils of Barra were in such a remote spot of the Hebrides in Scotland, the clan was mostly overlooked by the English government occupying Scotland. Thus, the MacNeil of Barra were the last Catholics in all of Scotland. The MacNeils of Barra were cleared from the Isle of Barra during the Scottish land clearances under James I. The MacNeils did not practice the King's religion, the Church of Scotland, and the English wanted to use Barra exclusively for shepherding. The MacNeils on the island were sent to North America, to places such as Virginia and Nova Scotia, Canada.
[edit] Gaelic Names
- MacNèill (Surname)
- Clann 'icNèill (Collective)
[edit] Motto
[edit] Castle
- The stronghold and seat of the Clan MacNeil has always been at Kisimul Castle in Barra, Scotland
[edit] Branches
[edit] Septs of Clan MacNeil
- (Mac)Grail
- (Mac)Gougan
- (Mac)Gu(i)gan
- (Mac)Neal(e)
- (Mac)Neilage
- (Mac)Neill
- (Mac)Nelly
- McNeill
- McNeal [Americanized]
- McNeel [Americanized?]
- Meneill(e)y
- Neil(son)
- Neal
- Neul
- Nelson
[edit] Trivia
- After providing a safe harbor to the Norwegian King Haakon Haakonson, the MacNeils of Gigha [whom were Norwegian subjects at the time (Gigha was part of the Kingdom of the Hebrides)] decided to remain neutral in his war with Alexander III of Scotland over the control of the Hebrides.
- Legend has it that every evening, the 35th Chief, Roderick (Rory) the Turbulent, would send a herald and trumpeter to the battlements of Kisimul to proclaim to each point of the compass: "Hear, oh ye people, and listen oh ye nations! The Great MacNeil of Barra having finished his meal, the princes of the world may dine!"
- One rival clan chief, on hearing the MacNeils boasting about his long ancestry, commented, "I suppose you MacNeils must have been on the Ark." The reply was simple: "Nae, the MacNeil had a boat of his own."
- The Macneils were Jacobites, and as such were at the centre of both Jacobite uprisings. In 1689, the 38th Chief, Roderick Dhu (The Black), led the MacNeil Clan into battle for James VII at Killiecrankie. He remained loyal to the cause and rallied to the 'Old Pretender' at the rising of 1715. His 2 sons, Roderick and James, went into exile in France. They returned upon their fathers death.
- In 1745, the Clan was rallied again with a Spanish ship landing arms and money on Barra for the army of the Prince. After the second rebellion, British troops landed on Barra in their search for Charles Edward Stuart (Bonnie Prince Charlie). In 1746 The 39th Chief, Roderick Dove of the West (not to be confused with the 40th Chief Roderick the Gentle or the 41st Chief, Roderick the General) was arrested and taken to London. For his Jacobite sympathies, Roderick was consigned to a prison ship, the Royal Sovereign. It was not until 1747 that his discharge was ordered and he was free to return home. Luckily for Roderick, his estates were not forfeited.
- In 1838 due to financial hardship caused by the collapse of the kelp industry (and, some say, a gambling problem) the 41st Chief, General Roderick MacNeil, was forced to sell the island, and in so doing lost what the former Chief Roderick had fought so hard to keep. Thus eight hundred years of direct MacNeil rule came to an end. Roderick also left no children, and the Chiefship passed to a cousin who had emigrated to the New World. The end of MacNeil rule coincided with the time when the Clearances began, and the people of Barra, and countless MacNeils, were forced to emigrate to the Americas.
- Many MacNeils ended up in Canada. To this day, a large number of MacNeils can be found in Nova Scotia and other Maritime provinces.
[edit] See also
- Gigha, an island associated with the MacNeill branch.
- Colonsay, an island associated with the MacNeill branch.