McDonnell 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 McDonnell family

The surname McDonnell 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 McDonnell family

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

McDonnell 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 McDonnell family

Notable amongst the family name at this time was

McDonnell World Ranking

In the United States, the name McDonnell is the 3,058th most popular surname with an estimated 9,948 people with that name. 1 However, in Australia, the name McDonnell is ranked the 725th most popular surname with an estimated 5,358 people with that name. 2 And in the United Kingdom, the name McDonnell is the 964th popular surname with an estimated 7,234 people with that name. 3


McDonnell migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

McDonnell Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
McDonnell Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

McDonnell migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

McDonnell Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
McDonnell Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

McDonnell migration to Australia +

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

McDonnell Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

McDonnell migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

McDonnell Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Contemporary Notables of the name McDonnell (post 1700) +


The McDonnell 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.


Suggested Readings for the name McDonnell +
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