O'Neill (surname)

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 It has been suggested that Ó Neill Dynasty Today be merged into this article or section. (Discuss)
The ancient arms of Ua Néill
The ancient arms of Ua Néill

O'Neill (also spelled O'Neil, O'Neall, O'Neal) is a common surname of Irish origin.

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[edit] Origins

Its original Irish form is Ó Néill or Ua Néill, meaning 'descendant son of Niall'.

In past usage, it refers to an Irish kinship group based in Ulster descended from a family, the Uí Néill from which a number of High Kings of Ireland sprang in medieval times. The progenitor of the dynasty was Niall of the Nine Hostages (Niall Noigiallach), said to be High King and died c.450.

The surname Ó Néill was taken from a descendant of his, Niall Glundubh (Niall Glúndub) of the Uí Néill, who was killed fighting the Danes in 919. Glundubh's grandchild and great-grandchildren would have been the first to use the surname.

The O'Neill was the traditional title of the head of this family, and during early English rule the holder of this title was considered by many to be the rightful High King of Ireland. Today there are three ancient O'Neill dynasties or principalities (see Ó Neill Dynasty Today).

The name of the 10th century Icelandic chieftain Njáll Þorgeirsson is considered to be a variant of the Irish "Niall". The Icelander - eponymous protagonist of Njáls saga, one of the most well-known works of medieval Icelandic Epic poetry - might thus have been of partial Irish ancestry, possibly related to the Irish family.

Irish genealogies have Niall Glúndub mac Áedo d. 919, Son of Aed Finliath d. 879 king of Ailech 855-879 A.D. and High King of Ireland 862-879 A.D. He was a member of the House of Cenél nEógain of the Northern Uí Néill, and his father was Niall Caille, High King of Ireland 823-845 A.D.

Genealogical records show a Njall Glundubh b. circa 850 A.D. in Norway and married to Lund Verch Echach.Parents of Njalsdatter & Muirchertach na G-Cochaill Criceann MacNEILL.

From this man Niall Glundubh the Ulster O'Neills take their surname not from Niall of the Nine Hostages. The first to take O'Neill as his surname was one Domhnall, born circa. 943 A.D. "Descendant of Niall" referring to his grandfather Niall Glundubh.

Neill: The Norman French form of Scandinavian Njal, meaning 'Champion'. Domhnal' dark or brown', Donnchadh 'darkskinned warrior', Murchadh 'sea fighter', Lochlainn'land of the vikings', Muireadhach 'master of the sea', Dubh 'dark or black'.

Niall Glundubh in the Irish genealogies is the father of three sons.

1. Muirchertach 'of the leather cloaks' 2. Maelciaran 3. Conaing

It should be noted that the name Conaing is not a Gaelic word but a word borrowed from the Angles.

Anglo Saxon ' Cyning'

Proto Germanic ' Kuningaz'

Dutch 'Koning'

Norwegian 'Konge and Kong'

Faroese 'Kongur'

German 'Koning

[edit] Arms

A shield silver, two battling lions red, rampant and supporting or holding a right hand palmed in pale red, the two lions accompanied in chief with three stars of five points red, and in point a river of its color or blue waved silver and in the middle of it a salmon swimming of its color, put in face. Crest: an armed arm, handling a sword, all in its color. Motto: Caelo, Solo, Salo, Potentes. War Cry: Lamh dearg Eirin abu. (This is the shield every Catholic branch of this family uses in Ireland, Portugal, Martinique), Spain and France. The Portuguese family represents the elder branch and uses the same Arms.

[edit] Names

O'Neill may refer to:-

[edit] People

[edit] History of Ireland

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[edit] Other people

[edit] Fictional characters

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[edit] See also

Related names:

[edit] References

[edit] External links

WP Anthroponymy notice This page or section lists people with the surname O'Neill. If an internal link for a specific person referred you to this page, you may wish to add the given name(s) to that link.