Surname Niland - Meaning and Origin
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Niland: What does the surname Niland mean?
The last name Niland is believed to have originated from the Irish surname O'Neilland (or O'Neill). This surname is derived from the Irish term “Ó Néill,” which grew out of an ancient and powerful clan by the same name that was located in Northern Ireland. The name meant “descendant of Niall,” an Irish king from the 5th century who was known for his leadership and bravery. The Niland surname likely began to be used as a last name in Ireland during the mid- to late-1000s.
Primarily, the surname has been used in areas such as Mayo and Galway in the western part of Ireland, suggesting that the clan may have had their roots there. Over the centuries, many members of the O'Neill family and its variant Niland spread around the world through migration and immigration. This includes a number of people who moved to the United States and other countries during the Irish diaspora of the 19th century.
Overall, the Niland surname demonstrates a strong Celtic influence and a proud Irish heritage that has become a part of its history as the family has spread around the world. This surname has become a symbol not only of the strong roots of its heritage, but also of the bravery and leadership of the O’Neill family and its legendary king, Niall.
Order DNA origin analysisNiland: Where does the name Niland come from?
The Niland surname is most commonly found in Ireland and Irish diaspora populations today. It is derived from the medieval Gaelic name ‘O Niallain’ which literally translates to ‘descendants of Neill’.
Within Ireland, the name is particularly connected to the town of Sligo in the west of the country. The Niland family from this area were part of the O’Conor dynasty which was historically a powerful ruling family in the area. The Niland family was made powerful through their association with the O’Conor dynasty.
The Niland surname is also particularly associated with the United States of America. Many Irish people emigrated to the US during the 19th Century to seek a better life and the Niland name was one of the most frequent names on the passenger lists. Over 3 million Americans are thought to have Irish ancestry, meaning there are large Niland populations in countries like the US, Canada, England and Australia.
In the present day, the Niland name is still seen a lot in Ireland but, due to emigration, it is now distributed across the world in many English-speaking countries. As the Irish Diaspora continues to grow, so too does the presence of the Niland surname.
Variations of the surname Niland
Niland is an Irish surname derived from the old Gaelic name O Neill, meaning “descendant of Niall.” The original Niall was an Irish king from the fifth century. The Niland spelling appears to be the most common today, but there are a number of variants, depending on location and time period.
One variant is O'Neill, which is especially common in Northern Ireland. The letter 'O' before the surname is a traditional Irish prefix meaning "grandson of," historically placed before the patronymic. It is sometimes found in various spellings, such as O'Neyll, O'Neale, O'Neales, O'Nale, O'Nell, and O'Neill.
Neale is another variant of Niland appearing in various spellings. Neale is also derived from O Neill and can be seen as Nihill, Neill, Neal, Neall, Nihill, Nihell, Neile, and Neilson. In German, the name appears as Neuenkirchen or Neuhofen, or Neuenstadtbirkk.
The Irish often have a variety of ways of spelling their surnames, and Niland is no exception. However, all of the variants of Niland are ultimately derived from the same name: O Neill.
Famous people with the name Niland
- Tom Niland: Tom Niland is an Irish businessman and philanthropist, best known for his involvement in the establishment of the Environmental Protection Agency in Ireland.
- Eugene J. Niland: Eugene J. Niland was a doctor and major in the Army Medical Corps. He earned several medals for bravery during World War I, including the Distinguished Service Cross.
- Gavin Niland: Gavin Niland is an actor and producer from Hume, Virginia. He has starred in many films and television shows, including Shameless and American Horror Story.
- Gene Niland: Gene Niland is an American bass guitarist, best known for his work with the band Nirvana.
- Hayley Niland: Hayley Niland is an Australian track and field athlete. She represented Australia at the 2012 Summer Olympics and won several gold and bronze medals at the Commonwealth Games between 2002 and 2018.
- Al Read: Al Read was an English comedian and radio presenter. His trademark was a mock-confused persona, which he often exaggerated by throwing up his hands and saying "Niland!", a catchphrase he made popular.
- Dave Niland: Dave Niland is an Irish former footballer who played in the League of Ireland Premier Division. He is the father of current Irish international player Shane Niland.
- Garrett Niland: Garrett Niland is a London-based artist known for his paintings of abstract figures. His works have been featured in galleries around the world, including the National Portrait Gallery in London.