Surname Oneill - Meaning and Origin

Decoding My Ancestral Truth: An Unexpected Journey Through My O'Neill Lineage with iGENEA DNA Test

As I unearthed my ancestral past with an iGENEA DNA test, a whole new dimension of my O'Neill lineage was revealed. Gaelic roots, historical kings, scholars and cultural richness transformed my understanding of myself and my evolution and DNA tests provided me more than genetic details - it bridged me with my past and fostered within me, an advanced sense of purpose and direction.

O. Oneill

Oneill: What does the surname Oneill mean?

The surname O'Neill originates from Ireland and is derived from two Gaelic words: "Ua Néill" which means "descendant of Niall." The name Niall can be interpreted to mean "champion," "passionate," or "vehement." Therefore, the surname O'Neill can be loosely translated to mean "descendant of the champion." The name is hugely significant within Irish history and was borne by several Irish kings and heroes. As the O’Neills were leaders of one of the most powerful Gaelic clans, the surname is notably prominent and widespread in Ireland. Over time, the name has also been anglicized to 'Neill' or 'Neil.'

Oneill: Where does the name Oneill come from?

The last name O'Neill is most commonly found, today, throughout Ireland, the United Kingdom, and the United States. It is the most common name in Ireland, where it is thought to have originated from. The name is derived from the Gaelic Ó Néill, which translates to "descendant of Niall."

In the United States, O'Neill can be found in most areas with large Irish communities, such as New England, the Mid-Atlantic, and the Midwest. It is also commonly found in states with higher overall Irish populations, such as California, Pennsylvania, and New York.

In the United Kingdom, O'Neill is most commonly found in English-speaking areas, especially Ireland and Northern Ireland, Scotland, and the West Midlands. It is also found in the southernmost parts of the United Kingdom, such as Cornwall, and the Isle of Man.

The last name O'Neill is also found in other parts of the world, such as Australia, New Zealand, and Canada.

O'Neill is generally still a common last name within Irish communities across the world, kept alive by the strong sense of identity and culture held by many of those of Irish heritage.

Variations of the surname Oneill

The surname Oneill is a common Irish surname that has many spellings and variants, some of which are O'Neill, O Neill, O'Niel, O'Neil, Neil, Neale, Neal, Niall, and MacNeil.

These spellings of the surname Oneill have been derived from multiple Irish names and come from different areas of Ireland. The most common variant is “O'Neill”, which originates from County Tyrone, though it is also very popular in the rest of Northern Ireland. This means "descendant of Niall", the Gaelic name for a pagan ruler.

The second most common variant is “O Neill”. It comes from Ulster, and the “O” in this spelling means “grandson of”. This suggests that the originator of this form of the surname was the grandson of Niall.

The third most common variant is “O'Niel”, which is derived from the Irish spelling of “Niall”. This form of the surname is very popular in County Antrim.

The fourth variant is “O'Neil”, which also originates from County Antrim as an Irish form of the English name “Neil”. It can also be spelt “Neil”, “Neale”, or “Neal”.

The fifth variant is “MacNeil”, which means “son of Neil”. This form of the surname is also very popular in County Antrim.

In conclusion, the surname Oneill has many different variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin, including “O'Neill”, “O Neill”, “O'Niel”, “O'Neil”, “Neil”, “Neale”, “Neal”, “Niall”, and “MacNeil”. These different forms all have their roots in different areas of Ireland, and all trace back to the original ancestor Niall.

Famous people with the name Oneill

• Connor O’Neill, Canadian soccer player.
• Eoin O’Neill, Irish hurler.
• Bette O’Neill, American singer.
• Pat O’Neill, American cinematographer.
• J. Michael O’Neill, American actor.
• Jack O’Neill, American founder of O’Neill Wetsuits.
• Terry O’Neill, British photographer.
• Sam O’Neill, American actor.
• Liam O’Neill, Irish former President of the Gaelic Athletic Association.
• Oona O’Neill, American writer and daughter of playwright Eugene O’Neill.
• Eugene O’Neill, American playwright.
• Rory O’Neill, Irish drag queen and AIDS activist.
• Niall O’Neill, Irish actor.
• Eugene O’Neill, Jr., American Broadway producer.
• Ben O’Neill, British solicitor and former mayor of Camden.
• Jessica O’Neill, American actress.
• John Edward O’Neill, Irish-born American paleontologist.
• Andrew O’Neill, British comedian and musician.
• Rita O’Neill, American writer and actor.
• Erik O’Neill, American actor.

Other surnames

Oneil