Donell History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Ireland-Alt
Ireland
Scotland

This family was originally Mac Domhnaill in Gaelic, meaning 'son of Domhnall' and as such a patronymic name. The family claim descent from Colla Uais, the 121st Monarch of Ireland, a younger brother of Colla da Chrioch.

Early Origins of the Donell family

The surname Donell was first found in County Clare where MacDonell and O'Easkin were chiefs of the territories of Corca Baisgin or Baiscind, now the barony of Moyarta. However, according to John O'Hart, in his reference Irish Pedigrees, Hart agrees with Connellan's Annals of the Four Masters in that many of the tribe "Clan Colla" traveled from Ulster where they were the Earls of Antrim to settle in Scotland where they retained the name MacDonnell but were generally called MacDonalds who became the Lord of the Isles. Edward MacLysaght disagrees with O'Hart and believes the migration went he other way, in other words the MacDonalds came to Ireland in the 13th century to become the MacDonnells in Antrim. As both authorities were Chief Heralds of Ireland, and noted authors, we put both scenarios here for the reader to decide the family's origin.

Early History of the Donell family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Donell research. Another 207 words (15 lines of text) covering the years 1505, 1590, 1609, 1615, 1636, 1683, 1691, 1699, 1754 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Donell History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Donell Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: McDonnell, Hoddonell, O'Donnal, Otonell, MacDonnell, Donneill, McDonel, McDonell, McDonneil, Hodonell, McDonnel, McDoneill, Odonell, Odonel, Donnelson, Donnell, Donnel, O'Donnall, Donell and many more.

Early Notables of the Donell family

Notable amongst the family name at this time was Somhairle Buidhe Mac Domhnaill (Somerled of the yellow hair, son of Donnell, Anglicized Sorley Boy McDonnell) (c. 1505 - 1590), Irish prince or flaith and chief; Randal Macsorley MacDonnell, 1st Earl of Antrim (died 1636); and his son, Alexander MacDonnell, 3rd Earl of Antrim (1615-1699), a Roman Catholic...
Another 56 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Donell Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Donell migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Donell Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Walter Donell, who arrived in Virginia in 1654 1
Moragha Donell, who landed in Virginia in 1655 1

Donell Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Alexander Donell, who landed in New York in 1811 1
Jane Donell, who arrived in New York, NY in 1811 1
David Donell, aged 23, who landed in Maine in 1812 1
Dennis Donell, who arrived in Illinois in 1856-1864 1

Donell migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Donell Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Margaret Donell, aged 22, a servant, who arrived in South Australia in 1857 aboard the ship "Caucasian" 2

Contemporary Notables of the name Donell (post 1700) +

Ricky Donell Minard Jr. (b. 1982), American professional NBA basketball player

The Donell Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: His vinces
Motto Translation: With these you will conquer.

Citations +

Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
South Australian Register Tuesday 26 April 1853. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) Caucasian 1857. Retrieved http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/australia/caucasian1857.shtml