Surname Nihill - Meaning and Origin
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Nihill: What does the surname Nihill mean?
The last name Nihill is of Irish origin, stemming from the Gaelic surname O'Neill, meaning "descendant of Niall," with "Niall" being a personal name referring to a champion or a passionate individual. Over time and with the drift of language and cultural shifts, O'Neill evolved into different versions and spellings including Nihill. This surname migrated to countries like England and Scotland due to the Irish Diaspora, notably during the Irish Potato Famine in the 19th century. Therefore, individuals with the last name Nihill may have Irish ancestry. It's important to note that surnames and their meanings can be linked to a family's history, professions, geographical areas, or a distinguishing characteristic.
Order DNA origin analysisNihill: Where does the name Nihill come from?
The surname Nihill is most common in Ireland, where is thought to have originated during the eighteenth century. It was first found in counties Cork and Kerry, and is derived from the Irish ‘O Neachail’ or ‘Ó Néill’.
Outside of Ireland the name is found in many areas throughout the United Kingdom and around the world as a result of emigration. In the United Kingdom, the surname is particularly common in Scotland, where it is thought to have been introduced to the country by Irish immigrants in the twentieth century, as well as in south western England, particularly around London and the Midlands. It is also found throughout the United States, particularly in larger cities such as New York, Boston and San Francisco, with members of the Irish diaspora having emigrated to the New World in the nineteenth century.
The name remains in use in Ireland today, and is particularly prevalent in counties Cork and Kerry, but can also be found in other parts of the country, such as Dublin, Belfast and Galway. It is also commonly seen in Britain and the US, suggesting that people bearing the name have emigrated from Ireland to these countries in large numbers over the last few centuries, and have kept the name in use as a result.
Variations of the surname Nihill
The surname Nihill is an Irish surname deriving from the Gaelic-Irish Ó Niall or Mac Niall. It is found mostly in County Limerick, Ireland, however it is also found spelled as Nihill, Neill, Neil,Neill, O’Neill and McNeill.
The Nihill variant is derived from the Irish word ‘niadh’ which means ‘champion’ or ‘hero’. Variations of this spelling include Nihill, Neill,Neill, O’Neill and McNeill.
The spelling Neill is derived from the old Irish word Niall which means champion of ‘valour and courage’. Variations of this spelling include Neil, Nihill,Neill, O’Neill and McNeill.
The spelling Neil is derived from the old Irish word Niall which means 'cloud' or 'valour'. Variations of this spelling include Neill, Nihill, O’Neill and McNeill.
The spelling Neill is derived from the old Irish word Niall which means 'cloud' or 'valour'. Variations of this spelling include Nihill, Neil,Neil, O’Neill and McNeill.
The spelling O’Neill is a variation of the Gaelic-Irish Ó Niall and is the most common contemporary spelling used. Variations of this spelling include Nihill, Neil,Neill, and McNeill.
The spelling McNeill is derived from the Gaelic-Irish Mac Niall and is also found as MacNeill, McNeil and MacNeil. Variations of this spelling include Nihill, Neil,Neill and O’Neill.
In conclusion, the surname “Nihill” has several spellings and variants, originating from different Gaelic words. The variants include Neill, Neil,Neill, O’Neill, McNeill, MacNeill, McNeil and MacNeil.
Famous people with the name Nihill
- Francis Nihill: an Australian footballer
- Ryan Nihill: an Australian rugby league player
- Daniel Nihill: an Irish singer-songwriter
- Rob Nihill: an Australian sport caster
- John Nihill: an Australian reality television star
- Siobhan Nihill: an Irish actress
- Paul Nihill: an Australian lawyer
- Natasha Nihill: an Australian artist
- Eoin Nihill: an Irish historian
- Meaghan Nihill: an Australian endurance athlete