McNeil History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

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Scotland

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The ancestors of the McNeil family come from the ancient Scottish kingdom of Dalriada. Their surname comes from the personal name Neil. The Gaelic form Mac Neill translates as son of Neil.

Early Origins of the McNeil family

The surname McNeil was first found in on the islands of Barra, Gigha, Colonsay, and Oronsay. According to traditional records in 1049, Niall, a direct descendent of King Niall of the Nine Hostages, landed in Barra and founded the Clan MacNeill of Barra.

However, another kinsman, some believe to be the younger brother of Niall named Anrothan, married a Princess of the Dalriadans, an ancient race from which sprang most of the early Scottish Kings. Legend has it that Anrothan started the MacNeill house of Colonsay through his son Torquil of Taynish.

This latter branch acquired the lands of Gigha, Colonsay and Oronsay, beyond the Firth of Lorne. For the next two centuries it appears as though these two great houses were developing independently of one another.

Early History of the McNeil family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our McNeil research. Another 361 words (26 lines of text) covering the years 1370, 1380, 1526, 1562, 1590, 1612, 1613, 1631, 1640, 1686, 1730 and 1890 are included under the topic Early McNeil History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

McNeil Spelling Variations

Medieval spelling was at best an intuitive process, and translation between Gaelic and English was no more effective. These factors caused an enormous number of spelling variations in Dalriadan names. In fact, it was not uncommon to see a father and son who spelled their name differently. Over the years, McNeil has been spelled MacNeil, MacNeill, MacNeal, MacNeilage, MacNeale, MacNeall, MacNeille, MacNeel, MacNiel, MacGreal, Mcneil, Mcneill, McNeal, Mcneal, Mcneall and many more.

Early Notables of the McNeil family

Notable amongst the Clan from early times was Nigel M'Nele, Laird of Blarekanne c. 1370-1380; Alexander Makneyll, a notary public in Edinburgh in 1526; Richard Neile (1562-1640) was an English churchman, Archbishop...
Another 32 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early McNeil Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

McNeil World Ranking

In the United States, the name McNeil is the 811^st most popular surname with an estimated 37,305 people with that name. 1 However, in Canada, the name McNeil is ranked the 528^th most popular surname with an estimated 9,336 people with that name. 2 And in New Zealand, the name McNeil is the 829^th popular surname with an estimated 879 people with that name. 3

Migration of the McNeil family to Ireland

Some of the McNeil family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 85 words (6 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

McNeil migration to the United States +

Settlers from Scotland put down roots in communities all along the east coast of North America. Some moved north from the American colonies to Canada as United Empire Loyalists during the American War of Independence. As Clan societies and highland games started in North America in the 20th century many Scots rediscovered parts of their heritage. Early North American records indicate many people bearing the name McNeil were among those contributors:

McNeil Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Hector McNeil, who landed in New Jersey in 1685 4
Malcolm McNeil, who arrived in New Jersey in 1685 4

McNeil Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Neil McNeil, who arrived in Cape Fear, North Carolina in 1718 4
Margaret McNeil, who arrived in New York in 1738 4
Mary McNeil, who landed in New York, NY in 1739 4
Dugold McNeil, who landed in North Carolina in 1739 4
Anne McNeil, who landed in New York, NY in 1740 4
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

McNeil Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Thomas McNeil, who landed in America in 1803 4
William McNeil, who landed in America in 1805 4
Jane McNeil, aged 27, who landed in Maine in 1812 4
Henry C McNeil, who arrived in Texas in 1835 4
Angus McNeil, who arrived in Texas in 1835 4
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

McNeil migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

McNeil Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Hugh McNeil, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1749
Major. McNeil U.E. who arrived at Port Roseway, [Shelbourne], Nova Scotia on December 13, 1783 was Passenger number 419 aboard the ship "HMS Clinton", picked up on November 14, 1783 at East River, New York, USA 5
Mr. Neil McNeil U.E. who settled in Carleton, [Saint John West] New Brunswick c. 1784 5
Mr. Archibald McNeil U.E. who settled in Saint John, New Brunswick c. 1784 he became a Freeman Mariner in 1785, was also a member of the Loyal Artillery in 1795 5
Mr. Charles McNeil U.E. who settled in New Brunswick c. 1784 5
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

McNeil Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

John McNeil, who was a soldier on record in St. John's, Newfoundland in 1812 6
Robert McNeil, who arrived in Canada in 1820
Samuel McNeil, aged 20, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Edward Reid" in 1833
Andrew McNeil, aged 18, who landed in Quebec in 1834

McNeil migration to Australia +

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

McNeil Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. John McNeil, (Neil, McGerry, Teapot), Scottish convict who was convicted in Glasgow, Scotland for 7 years, transported aboard the "Atlas" on 16th January 1816, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 7
Mr. James McNeil, Scottish convict who was convicted in Glasgow, Scotland for 7 years, transported aboard the "Coromandel" on 25th June 1838, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 8
Mr. James Mcneil, (b. 1818), aged 20, Scottish farm labourer who was convicted in Stirling, Scotland for 14 years, transported aboard the "Earl Grey" on 27th July 1838, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, he died in 1839 9
Christian McNeil, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Orleana" in 1839 10
Peter McNeil, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Orleana" in 1839 10
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

McNeil 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:

McNeil Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

John McNeil, aged 45, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Inchinnan" in 1852 11
Catherine McNeil, aged 35, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Inchinnan" in 1852 11
Eliza McNeil, aged 13, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Inchinnan" in 1852 11
Alexander McNeil, aged 5, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Inchinnan" in 1852 11
John McNeil, aged 1, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Inchinnan" in 1852 11
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name McNeil (post 1700) +

Lori McNeil (b. 1963), American tennis coach and former professional tennis player
Archibald McNeil Jr. (b. 1884), American Democratic Party politician, Candidate for Connecticut State House of Representatives from Bridgeport, 1908; Member of Connecticut State Senate 22nd District, 1911-14
John Irving McNeil (b. 1877), American Democratic Party politician, Alternate Delegate to Democratic National Convention from South Dakota, 1912
Brigadier-General Edwin Colyer McNeil (1882-1965), American Chairman of Board of Review, Office of the Judge Advocate-General (1936-1937) 12
Freeman McNeil (b. 1959), former professional American football player
Don McNeil, American Republican politician, Candidate for U.S. Representative from Texas 12th District, 1986
Dennis McNeil, American Republican politician, Candidate for West Virginia State Senate 5th District, 1926
Deborah McNeil, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Michigan, 2008
Clarence W. McNeil, American Democratic Party politician, Postmaster at Laredo, Texas, 1895-99
Cecil McNeil, American Democratic Party politician, Alternate Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Arkansas, 1956
... (Another 40 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the McNeil family +

The McNeil 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: Vincere vel mori
Motto Translation: To conquer or die.