Donnel 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 Donnel family

The surname Donnel 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 Donnel family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Donnel 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 Donnel History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Donnel 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 Donnel 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)
Randal MacDonnell, 1st Marquess of Antrim (1609-1683), Roman Catholic landed magnate in Scotland and Ireland, son of the 1st Earl of Antrim, chief of Clan MacDonnell of Antrim

Donnel migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Donnel Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

David Donnel, aged 23, who landed in Maine in 1812 1
Hugh Donnel, aged 37, who arrived in New York in 1812 1
James Donnel, aged 30, who landed in New York in 1812 1
John Donnel, aged 27, who arrived in New York in 1812 1
Barney Donnel, aged 20, who landed in New York in 1812 1
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Donnel migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Donnel Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Mary Donnel, aged 71, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Forth" in 1833

The Donnel 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)