McDaniels History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
The Dalriadan clans of ancient Scotland spawned the ancestors of the McDaniels family. Their name comes from the personal name Donald. The name McDaniels results from an erroneous Anglicization of the Gaelic name Mac Dhomnuill, which means son of Donald and is normally Anglicized MacDonald. The confusion is a result of the similar sound of the given names Daniel and Donald.
Early Origins of the McDaniels family
The surname McDaniels was first found in Argyleshire, where they held a family seat from early times.
Early History of the McDaniels family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our McDaniels research. Another 156 words (11 lines of text) covering the year 1890 is included under the topic Early McDaniels History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
McDaniels Spelling Variations
The medieval practice of spelling according to sound and repeated translation between Gaelic and English created many spelling variations of the same name. McDaniels has been recorded as MacDaniel, MacDaniell, MacDanell and others.
Early Notables of the McDaniels family
More information is included under the topic Early McDaniels Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
McDaniels Ranking
In the United States, the name McDaniels is the 3,765th most popular surname with an estimated 7,461 people with that name. 1
Migration of the McDaniels family to Ireland
Some of the McDaniels family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 50 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
McDaniels migration to the United States +
Descendents of Dalriadan-Scottish families still populate many communities across North America. They are particularly common in Canada, since many went north as United Empire Loyalists at the time of the American War of Independence. Much later, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the highland games and Clan societies that now dot North America sprang up, allowing many Scots to recover their lost national heritage. Some of the first immigrants to cross the Atlantic and come to North America bore the name McDaniels, or a variant listed above:
McDaniels Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
- C. McDaniels, aged 23, who immigrated to the United States, in 1893
McDaniels Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
- Belle McDaniels, aged 35, who landed in America, in 1907
- J. H. McDaniels, aged 55, who landed in America, in 1911
- Jos. McDaniels, aged 81, who immigrated to America, in 1921
- T.I. McDaniels, aged 26, who landed in America, in 1921
- Frank McDaniels, aged 25, who immigrated to the United States, in 1921
- ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Contemporary Notables of the name McDaniels (post 1700) +
- Pellom McDaniels III (1968-2020), American professor, librarian, curator and World League of American Football and NFL defensive lineman
- James Ronald McDaniels (1948-2017), American professional basketball player, ABA All-Star (1972), Consensus first-team All-American (1971), two-time OVC Player of the Year (1970, 1971)
- Hattie McDaniels (1895-1952), the first African-American actress to win an Academy Award
- Ben McDaniels (b. 1980), former American football quarterbacks coach
- Ralph “Uncle Ralph” McDaniels, American hip-hop culture pioneer, entrepreneur, and visionary
- Gene McDaniels (1935-2011), American singer and songwriter
- Darryl "D.M.C." Matthews McDaniels (b. 1964), American musician
The McDaniels 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: Toujours pret
Motto Translation: Always ready.
Citations +