Surname O'Nial - Meaning and Origin
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O'Nial: What does the surname O'Nial mean?
The last name O'Nial has its origins in the Celtic and Gaelic culture. It is commonly used as an Irish surname, and its literal definition is "descendant of Niall". Niall is derived from the Gaelic word "Niadh", which has several meanings including "champion" and "cloud".
The history behind the O'Nial surname is closely linked to the powerful King Niall of the Nine Hostages, ruler of the Uí Néill during the 4th century in what would become Ireland. King Niall is thought to have been the founder of the Uí Néill dynasty and is credited with bringing the majority of the ancient Irish provinces together for the first time.
From him descended a large and influential family, with people bearing the O'Nial (also spelled O'Neale, O'Neil and other variations) surname scattered across the globe. While individual origins for people of this name can vary, they are linked to the legacy of this powerful king and his people.
Despite the variations in spelling, the O'Nial surname is still connected to the illustrious line of ancient Irish kings, giving those who bear it a sense of pride and belonging. Many today express their admiration of the legacy left behind by the O'Nial family from centuries before.
Order DNA origin analysisO'Nial: Where does the name O'Nial come from?
The last name O’Nial is most common today in the Irish counties of Galway, Offaly and Mayo. These counties are located in the province of Connacht, located in the western part of Ireland.
The O'Nial name has been around for centuries, as early references are found in the Annals of the Four Masters back in the 13th century. In fact, there is even a place in Ireland named after O'Nial called Knockanolan. During that period, the O’Neill family were powerful landowners in Galway, and the name was widely used.
Over the centuries, members of the O’Nial family have also been part of prominent Irish families, such as the de Burgo family from Galway. Some of the other prominent families that the O’Nials have been associated with include the O'Connors, the O'Malleys and the O'Flahertys.
O’Nials have also spread to other parts of the world, with many emigrating to the United States and Canada during the 19th and 20th centuries.
Today, the O’Nial name remains an integral part of Irish culture and is one of the oldest and most respected surnames in the country. It is often used as a first or last name, and is still found in parts of Connacht and some other counties across Ireland.
Variations of the surname O'Nial
The surname O'Nial has several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. O’Nial and O’Neill are two of the most common variants, with O'Neill being the Irish version of the name and O'Nial being the Scottish one. Other variants include O'Neal, Neill, MacNeill, and MacNeil. O'Nial is an anglicised form of Ó Niall, a clan of Irish and Scottish origin whose lineage can be traced back to the 10th century King Niall of Tara.
The O’Nial clan is primarily associated with the Province of Ulster in Ireland and the Province of Argyll in Scotland. The clan was closely associated with the Glens of Antrim in Ireland and Loch Awe in Scotland, and is found throughout Ireland and Scotland. The clan is divided into numerous branches, with each branch using slightly different spelling variants, such as O'Neal, Neill, MacNeill, and MacNeil.
One of the earliest records of the O'Nial clan dates back to 1376, when an Irishman named Connill O'Nial was listed as a soldier in the service of Robert the Bruce, King of Scotland. The family name was a very common one during the 17th and 18th centuries, when many families emigrated to the United States, Canada, and Australia, making the name even more widely dispersed.
Today, the O'Nial surname can be found throughout the world with its various spelling variants, including O'Neill, O'Neal, Neill, MacNeill, and MacNeil. While the O'Nial clan has changed and evolved over the centuries, its proud heritage of valour and loyalty continues to be carried on in its many members.
Famous people with the name O'Nial
- Sean O'Nial: Irish soccer player
- Denis O'Nial: Irish actor, best known for his role in the drama Love/Hate
- Sean O'Nial: Former Olympic swimmer from Ireland
- Neil O'Nial: Prize-winning Irish novelists
- John O'Nial: Former MLB player for the Chicago Cubs
- Kevin O'Nial: Former professional rally car driver
- Eamon O'Nial: Irish playwright and poet, notable for his work concerning mental health
- William O'Nial: American politician, the first Senator from Minnesota
- Christine O'Nial: English Businesswoman, noted for being the first female president of the Confederation of British Industry
- Cillian O'Nial: Irish actor, best known for his roles in films such as 28 Days Later and Batman Begins