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![Show Contents]() MacDonnal Surname History
- Origins Available:
 Scotland Ireland
MacDonnal comes from the ancient Dalriadan clans of Scotland's west coast and Hebrides islands. The name comes from the personal name Donald. the surname is derived from the Gaelic Mac Dhomhnuill, which means son of Donald; it is a form of the surname MacDonald. Early Origins of the MacDonnal familyThe surname MacDonnal was first found in Inverness, where the origins of this name can be traced back to Somerled, Regulus of the Isles, who evicted the Norsemen from the Western Isles during the 12th century. From him is descended John Macdonald, first Lord of the Isles, and it was MacDonald's younger son, Ranald, who was the progenitor of Clanrald, which includes the families of Moidart, Morar, Knoidart and Glengarry. The MacDonells are from this last branch. It is from Ranald's son, Donald, that the MacDonell's take their name (Son of Donald). There is also a branch of the MacDonells that claim Ranald's other son, Alistair, as its progenitor (the Keppoch branch). Early History of the MacDonnal familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our MacDonnal research. Another 376 words (27 lines of text) covering the years 1211, 1411, 1575, 1609, 1647, 1672, 1683, 1745, 1749, 1790, 1794, 1812 and 1890 are included under the topic Early MacDonnal History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. MacDonnal Spelling VariationsThe translation of Gaelic names in the Middle Ages was not a task undertaken with great care. Records from that era show an enormous number of spelling variations, even in names referring to the same person. Over the years MacDonnal has appeared as MacDonnell, MacDonnel, McDonnell, MacDonell and others. Early Notables of the MacDonnal familyMore information is included under the topic Early MacDonnal Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.  Migration of the MacDonnal family to Ireland
Some of the MacDonnal family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 118 words (8 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the MacDonnal familyMany of the ancestors of Dalriadan families who arrived in North America still live in communities along the east coast of Canada and the United States. In the American War of Independence many of the original settlers traveled north to Canada as United Empire Loyalists. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries the ancestors of many Scots began recovering their collective national heritage through Clan societies, highland games, and other patriotic events. Research into the origins of individual families in North America revealed records of the immigration of a number of people bearing the name MacDonnal or a variant listed above: John MacDonnell, who settled in Virginia in 1650; and of course, the large settlement of MacDonnells who settled in Canada.
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