Surname O'Neyle Neal - Meaning and Origin
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O'Neyle Neal: What does the surname O'Neyle Neal mean?
The last name O'Neyle Neal is an Irish surname believed to be derived from Niadh, an ancient Irish word that was used to describe a champion or brave and noble warrior. Due to the ancient nature of the O'Neyle Neal name, the precise origin of its ancestry is unknown.
The O'Neyle Neal surname can also be found in Scotland, where it is thought to have originated during the Plantation of Ulster. It was common for the Irish to take Scottish surnames upon emigrating, and this likely explains how the name originated there.
In Gaelic, the name O'Neyle Neal translates to either “descendant of a noble champion” or “descendant of a champion of appeasement.” Whichever translation you choose to believe, the name is most certainly steeped in respect and reverence.
O'Neyle Neal families are generally found in the counties of Cork, Kerry, Kilkenny, and Waterford in Ireland. The O'Neyle Neal surname is also associated with a number of noble families in Scotland.
The O'Neyle Neal surname is now relatively rare, and as such, there are relatively few modern families bearing the name. Nevertheless, those that do are proud of their heritage and can trace their ancestry back for centuries. Although it is not a common name, it is an enduring one that is steeped in ancient tradition.
Order DNA origin analysisO'Neyle Neal: Where does the name O'Neyle Neal come from?
The last name O'Neyle Neal is most commonly associated with the Irish and Scottish Gaelic form, O'Neyle which literally translates to "descendant of the islander". Historically the O'Neyle Neal's were associated with the Connacht Province of Ireland. The O'Neyle family were prominent in the Connacht and gained their name from being a religiously warrior elite in the past.
These days the last name O'Neyle Neal is still quite prevalent in areas of Ireland, Scotland, Great Britain and the United States. In Ireland, O'Neyle Neal is found mainly in the counties of Galway, Mayo, Sligo, Dublin and Leitrim with Mayo having the highest concentrations of this surname. In Scotland O'Neyle Neal can be found mostly in the regions of Aberdeenshire, Argyll and Lothian with some presence in the borders.
In the United States, O'Neyle Neal is found in all states but is particularly prominent in California, Massachusetts, New York, Florida and Texas. Census records show that the states with the highest concentrations of O'Neyle Neals are California, Massachusetts and Texas. In Canada O'Neyle Neal is also quite common in most major cities, although the majority of the Canadian population of O'Neyle Neals can be found in the province of Ontario.
Overall, the last name O'Neyle Neal is typical of Irish and Scottish heritage, and is relatively common in many parts of the world today.
Variations of the surname O'Neyle Neal
O'Neyle is an Irish surname derived from the Gaelic Ó Niall, meaning "descendant of Niall". The name itself is derived from a male personal name Niall, which is of disputed origin either from a pre-Celtic or a Proto-Celtic root.
Variants of the surname O'Neyle include Neyle, Neyle-o-Niall, Neill, Niel, Neall, Neale and Neil. Variant spellings include O'Neill, O'Neal, O'Neil, O'Niel, O'Neale and O'Neal.
Surnames sharing the same origin as O'Neyle include Neylan, Neylane, Neylanne, Nhayl, Neehl, Nuell, Noal, Nhail, Neylin, Nayl, Nealin, Neelin, Nheel and Neallin.
The O'Neyle surname is most commonly found in Ireland, where it is associated with the province of Ulster. The majority of Irish bearers of the name can trace their ancestry back to four distinct families, including Clan Niall of Leinster, the Mac Niall of Ulster, the Conall of Augusta, and the Connall of Medium Aevum. It has also spread to other countries through immigration.
O'Neyle is a common Irish surname and has many variants and spellings, as well as other surnames of the same origin. Despite its mainly Irish heritage, the name is found throughout the world today due to migration.
Famous people with the name O'Neyle Neal
- Neal O'Neill, American actor
- Siobhan O'Neill, Irish actress and producer
- Gerry O'Neil, Irish traditional singer
- William O'Neill, Canadian actor
- Kevin O'Neill, American comedian and actor
- Ronald O'Neill, British actor and director
- Aidan O'Neill, British-American screenwriter and producer
- Ryan O'Neill, Australian actor
- Mariah O'Neill, American singer and songwriter
- Kieran O'Neill, Irish actor and comedian