O neill History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms 

Origins Available: 
  Ireland 


Irish names tend to vary widely in their spelling and overall form. The original Gaelic form of the name O neill is Ó Néill, which means descendant of Niall, a personal name of Irish origin, thought to mean "champion." 1

"Of the very great antiquity of this distinguished name and family there can be no doubt." 2

Early Origins of the O neill family

The surname O neill was first found in County Tyrone (Irish: Tír Eoghain), the ancient territory of the O'Neills, now in the Province of Ulster, central Northern Ireland, and County Clare where O'Neill was chief of Clan Dalvy and of Tradree, a district in the barony of Inchiquinn. In the 10th century, a branch of this family went to Limerick to assist in the expulsion of the Danes.

After one victorious occasion they wore green boughs in their helmets and on their horses' heads signifying their victory.

Early History of the O neill family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our O neill research. Another 108 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1480, 1530, 1550, 1559, 1567, 1612, 1616, 1664, 1689 and 1694 are included under the topic Early O neill History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

O neill Spelling Variations

A name was often recorded during the Middle Ages under several different spelling variations during the life of its bearer because literacy was rare there was no real push to clearly define any of the languages found in the British Isles at that time. Variations found of the name O neill include O'Neill, Neal, Neale, Neales, Neil, Nihill, Niell, O'Nail, O'Neil, O'Niel and many more.

Early Notables of the O neill family

Notable amongst the family name at this time was Sir Niall O'Neill who distinguished himself at the Battle of the Boyne; Conn O'Neill, 1st Earl of Tyrone (c.1480-1559) King of Tir Eogain; Shane O'Neill (c.1530-1567), Irish king of the O'Neill dynasty of Ulster; Hugh O'Neill (c. 1550-1616), Earl of Tyrone, also known as the Great Earl...
Another 56 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early O neill Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

O neill World Ranking

In the United States, the name O neill is the 768th most popular surname with an estimated 39,792 people with that name. 3 However, in Canada, the name O neill is ranked the 512nd most popular surname with an estimated 9,527 people with that name. 4 And in Australia, the name O neill is the 190th popular surname with an estimated 16,726 people with that name. 5 New Zealand ranks O neill as 187th with 2,962 people. 6 The United Kingdom ranks O neill as 208th with 27,198 people. 7


O neill migration to the United States +

Death and immigration greatly reduced Ireland's population in the 19th century. For the native Irish people poverty, hunger, and racial prejudice was common. Therefore, thousands left their homeland to seek opportunity in North America. Those who survived the journey and the quarantine camps to which they arrived, were instrumental towards building the strong developing nations of the United States and the future Canada. By far, the largest influx of Irish settlers occurred with Great Potato Famine during the late 1840s. These were employed as construction or factory workers. An examination of passenger and immigration lists has shown early immigrants bearing the name O neill:

O neill Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

O neill migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

O neill Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

O neill migration to Australia +

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

O neill Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

O neill 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:

O neill Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Contemporary Notables of the name O neill (post 1700) +
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