Surname MacDonnell - Meaning and Origin

MacDonnell: What does the surname MacDonnell mean?

The surname MacDonnell is of Scottish and Irish origin and means "son of Donald" or "world ruler". The name MacDonald itself came from Donald, a legendary Scottish figure who was the grandson of Somerled, a Lord of the Isles. The 'Mac' prefix in Scottish and Irish surnames typically denotes "son of". Therefore, MacDonnell identifies lineage, marking the bearer as a descendant of Donald. It's also associated with the regions of Clan MacDonald of Clanranald and Clan MacDonald of Glengarry, both known Scottish highland clans. The surname along with its variations are quite common, especially in areas such as Ireland and Scotland where the Clan MacDonald and its branches held influence. The name has been historically significant with many noble and influential people bearing this name, reflecting the remnants of the old clan system in Scotland and Ireland. In modern times, the name is spread throughout the world due to the diaspora of Scottish and Irish descendants.

MacDonnell: Where does the name MacDonnell come from?

The surname MacDonnell is of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic name "Mac Domhnaill," which translates to "son of Donald." The name has its roots in the Scottish clans system, specifically arising from the descendants of Donald of Islay, a Lord of the Isles in the 14th century. Significant branches developed in Scotland and Ireland.

The MacDonnells became a powerful family in Ireland, particularly in County Antrim, where they established the Glens of Antrim. They were later recognized as the Earls of Antrim. While the family faced significant loss of power during the 17th-century plantations of Ireland, the surname has persisted.

Today, the MacDonnell surname continues to be more frequent in Ireland, especially in regions like Ulster and Munster. It is also relatively prevalent in the United States, Canada, and Australia, largely due to the Irish diaspora. There are several variations in the spelling of the name, including McDonnell, MacDonald, and McDonell, among others. Regardless of its spelling, the MacDonnell surname retains its strong connection to Irish and Scottish heritage.

Variations of the surname MacDonnell

The surname MacDonnell, native to Scotland and Ireland, has numerous variations owing to different phonetic spellings and Anglicization over time. Some of these variants include McDonnell, MacDonald, McDonald, McDougall, MacDonell, McDonell, MacDonnel, McDonnel, MacDaniel, McDanel, and McDannell, among others. Translations of the name, such as Donaldson or Danelson, are also possible variants.

In Irish, it is typically written as Mac Domhnaill, which might be anglicized differently depending on the dialect. Sometimes, the "Mac" prefix might be omitted, leading to other versions such as Donell or Donnell.

MacDonnell is a patronymic surname derived from the personal name Domhnall, which means "world ruler" or "world-mighty". Histories of migration, cultural assimilation, and language changes have led to the development of its various spellings and forms.

The Mc prefix (short for "mac") indicates "son of", hence MacDonnell essentially signifies "son of Donnell". This is typical in surnames of Celtic origin, where the names often denote familial relationships or geographical locations. Some individuals may choose to Anglicize the name by dropping the "Mac/Mc" prefix and adopting just the root name. Other possible transliterations or related surnames could exist in different languages or dialects.

Famous people with the name MacDonnell

• Nicholas MacDonnell: An Irish aristocrat and military commander from the 16th century.
• Lea MacDonnell: A professional Irish harpist.
• Christopher MacDonnell: An actor known for his roles in movies like "Florence Foster Jenkins" and "King Arthur: Legend of the Sword".
• Dickie MacDonnell: A professional golfer from Ireland who died in a tragic plane crash.
• Sir James MacDonnell: A military leader who defended the giants causeway in Ireland.
• George Macdonnell: A notable Canadian chess player.
• Roderick "Rory" MacDonnell: A Canadian songwriter who co-wrote hits for artists like Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presley.
• Eric MacDonnell: Renowned Australian underwater photographer.
• Mary MacDonnell: An American actress who earned Oscar nominations for her performances in the films "Passion Fish" and "Dances with Wolves".
• Ross Macdonnell: New Zealand cricketer.
• Katherine MacDonnell: A prominent author known for her works such as "The Forgotten Jacobite" and "The Jacobite Exile".
• Paul MacDonnell: An instrumental figure in the field of global education and development.
• Colin MacDonnell: An American actor known for his roles in shows like "Chicago Med" and "Arrow".
• Daniel F. MacDonnell: A notable personality in the US Air Force during World War II.

Other surnames

MacDonnel