McNiel History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

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Scotland

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The root of the ancient Dalriadan-Scottish name McNiel is the personal name Neil. The Gaelic form Mac Neill translates as son of Neil.

Early Origins of the McNiel family

The surname McNiel 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 McNiel family

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

McNiel Spelling Variations

Historical recordings of the name McNiel include many spelling variations. They include They are the result of repeated translations of the name from Gaelic to English and inconsistencies in spelling rules. MacNeil, MacNeill, MacNeal, MacNeilage, MacNeale, MacNeall, MacNeille, MacNeel, MacNiel, MacGreal, Mcneil, Mcneill, McNeal, Mcneal, Mcneall and many more.

Early Notables of the McNiel 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 McNiel Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

McNiel Ranking

In the United States, the name McNiel is the 9,212^nd most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 1

Migration of the McNiel family to Ireland

Some of the McNiel 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.

McNiel 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 McNiel, or a variant listed above:

McNiel Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Patrick McNiel, who landed in Virginia in 1745 2

McNiel Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Daniel McNiel, aged 56, who landed in North Carolina in 1812 2
James McNiel, aged 35, who arrived in New York in 1812 2

McNiel Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

George McNiel, aged 32, who immigrated to the United States from London, England, in 1913
Archie McNiel, aged 42, who landed in America, in 1918
James McNiel, aged 63, who settled in America from Southampton, England, in 1920
John McNiel, aged 25, who landed in America, in 1922
George McNiel, aged 23, who landed in America, in 1922
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

McNiel migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

McNiel Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Mr. Archibald McNiel U.E. who settled in Eastern District [Cornwall], Ontario c. 1784 3
Mr. William McNiel U.E. who settled in Edwardsburgh-Cardinal, Leeds & Grenville, Ontario c. 1784 3
Mr. John McNiel U.E. who settled in Home District [York County], Ontario c. 1784 3

McNiel migration to Australia +

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

McNiel Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Miss Helen McNiel, (Mcllree), Scottish convict who was convicted in Glasgow, Scotland for 7 years, transported aboard the "Emma Eugenia" on 16th November 1841, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 4
Thomas McNiel, aged 9, who arrived in South Australia in 1854 aboard the ship "Lord of the Isles" 5

McNiel 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:

McNiel Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Mr. James McNiel, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Slains Castle" arriving in Otago, South Island, New Zealand on 9th November 1852 6
Mr. McNiel, British labourer travelling from London aboard the ship "Maori" arriving in Dunedin, Otago, South Island, New Zealand on 16th April 1857 7
Mrs. McNiel, British settler travelling from London with children aboard the ship "Maori" arriving in Dunedin, Otago, South Island, New Zealand on 16th April 1857 7
D. McNiel, Scottish settler travelling from Greenock aboard the ship "Robert Henderson" arriving in Port Chalmers, Dunedin, Otago, South Island, New Zealand on 9th February 1858 6

Contemporary Notables of the name McNiel (post 1700) +

Skye McNiel (b. 1978), American politician, Member of the Oklahoma House of Representatives
Maura McNiel (b. 1921), American feminist
Robert McNiel, American politician, Member of New York State Assembly from Washington County, 1829
Charles E. McNiel, American politician, Candidate for Michigan State House of Representatives from Genesee County 1st District, 1934

The McNiel 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.