Is O Neill a gypsy name?

O'Neill is a surname of Irish origin.

Is O Neill a Viking name?

While many Irish surnames have Viking origins, O'Neill is a surname of Irish origin.

What does O Neill mean in Irish?

The surname O'Neill is ultimately of Irish Gaelic origin. It is an Anglicization of the original Gaelic Ua Néill, composed of the elements ua, meaning "grandson" or "descendant," and of the Gaelic name Niall. The meaning of the Niall is disputed, but has been suggested as "cloud," "passionate," or "champion."

What is the heritage of the O Neill family?

The O'Neill lineage claims descent from Niall Glúndub, a 10th-century king of Ailech as well as High King of Ireland. Niall descended from the Cenél nEógain branch of the Northern Uí Néill. The first to adopt the patronymic surname was Niall Glúndub's great-grandson, Flaithbertach Ua Néill.

What part of Ireland are the O Neills from?

The Ulster septs of O'Neill, of course, are those most associated with the name. Their ancestor was Niall, King of Ireland, who died while battling the Vikings in the year 919 AD. They were the chief family of the Cinel Eoghan, their territory being modern day Tyrone, Derry and Donegal.

The story of the Irish name O'Neill and its variations.

What ethnicity is the last name O Neill?

O'Neill is a surname of Irish origin. It is derived from the Gaelic Ó Néill meaning "descendant (or grandson) of Niall". The Uí Néill dynasty were the foremost dynasty of Ulster, and all Ireland, from the 5th century throughout the medieval period, until 1607 - the Flight of the Earls saw the end of Gaelic Ireland.

What is the oldest surname in Ireland?

The earliest known Irish surname is O'Clery (O Cleirigh); it's the earliest known because it was written that the lord of Aidhne, Tigherneach Ua Cleirigh, died in County Galway back in the year 916 A.D. In fact, that Irish name may actually be the earliest surname recorded in all of Europe.

Is O Neill the oldest surname in Europe?

The O'Neills were kings or rulers of all or part of Ireland for about 650 years and might be the oldest traceable surname in Western Europe, the name going back about 1,050 years. Many branches to the O'Neill clan emerged over the years (Tyrone, Clannaboy, Ivowen, Fews, etc.).

What is the O'Neill family motto?

Irish Heritage Video: O'Neill, Neill, Neal, Neall, O'Neal, O'Neall. Family motto: The Red Hand of Ireland.

How old is the name O Neill?

There are O'Neills in all walks of life, including politicians, playwrights, and even royalty. If your surname is O'Neill, you could make some claim to Irish royalty, since it is believed that name originated with Niall Naoigallach (or Niall of Nine Hostages), a legendary high king of Ireland during the fifth century.

Who was the O Neill clan of Ireland?

The O'Neills were perhaps the greatest of the Irish clans, whose origins date back as far as the 10th century and whose lineage includes two High Kings of Ireland. Hugh O'Neill became leader of the clan in 1595 and as such was known as The O'Neill.

What does the O Neill family crest mean?

Argent (silver) - represents the sincere nature of the O'Neill family members in normal times through the ages. Azure (blue) - represents the family's legacy of truthfulness and loyalty. Gules (red) - symbolizes martyrdom and this family's historic military strength when called upon.

What is the O Neill Celtic symbol?

The Red Hand of O'Neill (Lámh Dhearg Ó Néill), also known as the Red Hand of Ulster (Lámh Dhearg Uladh), or the Red Hand of Ireland (Lámh Dhearg Éireann), is seen at times as a symbol to denote the Irish Province of Ulster.

What Irish surnames are Viking?

Other Norse names found occasionally in Ireland still include Cotter, Dowdall, Dromgoole, Gould, Harold, Howard, Loughlin, Sweetman and Trant.

What is the most common Viking last name?

The most common of these surnames were Bakke/Bakken – which means hill or rise, Berg/Berge – meaning Mountain or hill, Dahl/Dal – which translates as valley, Haugen\Haugan – hill or mound and Moen – meadow/pasture.

What last names are descendants of Vikings?

Surnames ending in -son or -sen are an obvious sign of Scandinavian ancestry – but other names such as 'Linklater', 'Flett', 'Scarth', 'Heddle', 'McIvor', 'MacAulay' and 'McLeod', 'Roger/s' and 'Rogerson' and 'Rendall' could also be a sign.

What is the red hand of O Neill legend?

An old Irish legend tells of a boat race where the prize was the kingdom of Ulster and the victor was the first to "touch the shore." O'Neill, seeing his boat slip behind, cut off his hand, flung it ashore, and won the kingdom. Ulster, but for three counties, is now Northern Ireland.

How many O Neills are there in Ireland?

O'Neill's is an Irish-themed pub chain with 49 outlets in the United Kingdom. The chain is operated by Mitchells & Butlers, one of the largest pub companies in the UK. Pubs are located across the whole of the UK, except for Northern Ireland, where there are none.

Is Neill Irish or Scottish?

Meaning and Origin of: Neill

Irish and Scottish : reduced form of Irish Gaelic Ó Néill or Scottish Gaelic Mac Néill 'descendant (or son) of Niall', a personal name of Irish origin, thought to mean 'champion'.

What is the most common Irish surname in the world?

Murphy. The surname 'Murphy' takes the top spot for the most popular Irish surname worldwide. Meaning 'sea-battler,' this name was first anglicised from Mac Murchadh to MacMurphy, and then to its current form in the 19th century.

What is the oldest surname in England?

The oldest recorded English name

The oldest English surname on record was actually from East Anglia. Believe it or not, the oldest recorded English name is Hatt. An Anglo-Saxon family with the surname Hatt are mentioned in a Norman transcript, and is identified as a pretty regular name in the county.

What is a very Irish last name?

What is the most rare Irish last name?

1. Moloughney. This unusual Irish surname is as rare as it is hard to pronounce.

What are Irish Traveller family names?

You may have Romani, Traveller or Gypsy ancestry if your family tree includes common Romani or Gypsy surnames such as Boss, Boswell, Buckland, Chilcott, Codona, Cooper, Doe, Lee, Gray (or Grey), Harrison, Hearn, Heron, Hodgkins, Holland, Lee, Lovell, Loveridge, Scamp, Smith, Wood and Young.

What is the most common Irish last name in the US?

Murphy – the sea warrior

The most common of all Irish surnames you'll hear in America is Murphy. This highly popular surname means “sea warrior”, a personal name that was once particularly popular in County Tyrone.