Surname MacNeilly - Meaning and Origin
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MacNeilly: What does the surname MacNeilly mean?
MacNeilly is an Irish surname of Gaelic origin. It is derived from the Gaelic "Mac an Fhilidh" which means "son of the poet". The MacNeilly family is believed to have had roots in Ulster, the northernmost province of the island of Ireland.
In ancient Ireland, poets were a key component of the social structure. In addition to writing, they used their skill to memorise and recite the ancient legends, the histories of Irish families, and the laws of the country. To be a poet was to be respected.
The MacNeilly family were also hereditary chiefs of the Clan MacHarg of Scots-Irish descent. They held estates in the town of Dervock in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. The MacNeillys were deeply involved in the politics of 17th century Ireland and remained powerful until the 18th century when their lands were confiscated by the British.
The MacNeilly name is still found in Ulster, particularly in County Antrim. It is also seen in the United States and Canada as the name has been carried by many Irish immigrants over the centuries.
Today, the MacNeilly name is a mark of Irish heritage or even a touchstone to a lost past. It’s a reminder of the remarkable courage and strength of the Irish in an ever-changing world.
Order DNA origin analysisMacNeilly: Where does the name MacNeilly come from?
The last name MacNeilly originated in Ireland and is most commonly found in the counties Ulster and Donegal. It is also widely found in Scotland, especially the Lowlands and along the western seaboard.
Outside of Ireland and Scotland, MacNeilly is quite rare, with the majority of individuals bearing the surname living in the British Isles. In Canada, it is mainly found in Ontario and, to a lesser extent, in other provinces such as British Columbia and Nova Scotia. In the United States, it is mostly found in the states of New York and Pennsylvania.
Despite being relatively uncommon, the MacNeilly surname has a long and storied history. It is believed to have been derived from an ancient Irish name MacNeill or MacNéill which means ‘son of Neill’. Neill, a very popular Irish first name, means champion or victor.
Today, the surname is a symbol of pride and of a strong connection to the histories and heritage of northern Ireland and Scotland. MacNeilly is a name that has been passed down through the generations and across the oceans, surviving the test of time. The surname evokes a sense of tradition and a connection to one's family that will be passed on to future generations.
Variations of the surname MacNeilly
The MacNeilly surname can be spelled in many different ways – MacNeely, McNeeley, MacNeely, MacNailley, McNeely, McNeally, MacNeillie, McNillie and MacNeallie. The original Irish Gaelic spelling is 'Mac Niall', meaning "son of Niall" and the prefix 'Mac' meaning "son of".
The MacNeilly surname was first found in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland in the 16th century. It is one of the many surnames which derive from the Irish Clan of O'Neill. The O'Neill family held semi-autonomous power as the Kings of Ulster from the 13th to the 17th century.
The MacNeilly spelling is not typically used in Scotland, however common variants such as McNally and MacNally were found throughout Scotland in the Middle Ages. It is most common in Ulster, especially in counties Antrim, Tyrone and Fermanagh.
Variants of the MacNeilly surname are also found in lrish Roman Catholic families in counties Donegal and Derry. The spellings MacNeely and McNeeley were particularly common in Fermanagh and Donegal in the 19th century.
The surname is sometimes confused with McNealy or O'Nealy, which have different origins. McNealy comes from the Scottish Gaelic MacNéill, which is the masculine form of MacNeill. O'Nealy is an Anglicized version of the Irish O'Niall, which is from the old Gaelic Clan of O'Niall.
Famous people with the name MacNeilly
- Adam MacNeilly: A professional bassoonist
- Bobby MacNeilly: Member of the iconic Scottish rock band Average White Band
- Charles J. MacNeilly: Former solicitor general of Kentucky
- Cornelius Bond MacNeilly: A Canadian logger and country squire
- Désirée MacNeilly: a Canadian actress
- Edwin Macneilly: A 20th century American classical and steel-string guitarist
- Frank MacNeilly: An Irish Gaelic football referee
- Herbert MacNeilly: A Scottish architect
- Hugh MacNeilly: A Providence, Rhode Island furniture maker
- Johnneil MacNeilly: a former member of the Canadian Forces who served as an officer-cadet
- Malcolm MacNeilly: A British film director
- Mary MacNeilly: A 19th century editor and author
- Melvin MacNeilly: A founding member of the Toronto–based band Dubmatix
- Neil MacNeilly: A British illustrator
- Randolph Robert MacNeilly: A Canadian Liberal party member of the House of Commons
- Richard MacNeilly: A Scottish professional footballer
- Thomas B. MacNeilly: Secretary of the Minnesota State Senate in the early 20th century
- William Alexander MacNeilly: A noted professor of music