Surname ODonell - Meaning and Origin

ODonell: What does the surname ODonell mean?

The last name O'Donell is of Irish origin and signifies the descendant of "Donnell" or "Domhnall". The name "Domhnall" itself implies 'world mighty' or 'ruler of the world', derived from the Old Irish elements "domno" meaning "world" and "val" implying "rule". It was a popular name among ancient Celtic warriors and rulers. The prefix "O'" in Irish surnames stipulates "descendant of", thus O'Donell signifies "descendant of Donnell". The O'Donell clan is significantly recognized in Irish history for their ancestral estates in Counties Donegal and Clare and their descendants include Lords and Earls. In short, the surname O'Donell denotes power and strength and has a rich history of representation in Irish nobility.

ODonell: Where does the name ODonell come from?

The last name O'Donnell is quite common throughout Ireland, where it is the third most frequently occurring surname. It is also well represented in Scotland, the United States, Great Britain, and Canada, primarily in areas settled by Irish immigrants.

One of the earliest records of the last name dates to 1450 in Donegal, where the O'Donnells were lords of Tir Chonaill. The family then spread throughout Ulster, especially into Counties Donegal, Cavan, Mayo, and Sligo.

The O'Donnells have played an important role in Irish history. For over two hundred years they were the leading clan of the northwest, known as the Lords of Tir Chonaill, followed by the O'Neills in the northeast. Many members of this sept (clan branch) were chieftans, kings, and High Kings of all of Ireland.

In North America, the O'Donnells are well represented especially in New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Massachusetts. The O'Donnells were among the early Irish immigrants to these states, as they had been facing centuries of persecution and starvation in their homeland. This was the period of the Great Hunger (1845-1850) when millions of Irish were forced to leave their homes and immigrate.

The O'Donnells have contributed significantly to the areas they have settled. They have been prominent in politics, business, education, entertainment, science, and the military. Today, thousands of O'Donnells around the world continue to uphold the ancient legacy of courage and strength that distinguishes their ancestors.

Variations of the surname ODonell

The variants, spellings, and surnames of O'Donell are numerous and originate from the original Irish form, Ó Domhnall. Many different iterations exist, including, but not limited to, O'Donnell, O'Donnel, O'Donell, Donnel, Donell, Odonell, McDonnel, McDonald, and McDaniel.

The surname O'Donell is believed to have its roots in the Irish name Domhnall, which is of Gaelic origin. It is derived from the Gaelic root words “dom” and “niall”, both meaning “world” and “champion”, respectively. As such, the surname was originally granted to champions of the Irish people.

The O'Donell surname is most commonly associated with two distinct Irish families - the Cenel Conaill (O'Donnells of Tir Conaill) and the Cenel nEogain (O'Neills of Tir Eogain). Both of these clans had prominent roles in medieval Irish history and held significant positions in the provinces of Connacht and Ulster during the Middle Ages.

The first instance of the O'Donell surname is documented in the annals of the 12th century, written under the year 1172. It is documented as “Ui Donnghaile”, evidence of the original Irish form of the name.

However, in later years, members of these families moved to other parts of Ireland and even beyond to Scotland, Wales, England, and all over the world. As a result, many variations were almost certainly borne out in various forms.

Today, the O'Donell surname is assumed to be of Scottish origin, as a result of its popularity within the population of that country. Similarly, the surname is to be found in many countries across the world. This international distribution demonstrates the long reach the Gallic-Celtic history of the early Irish across much of the Western world.

Famous people with the name ODonell

• Rosie O'Donnell: an American comedian, writer, actress, and television personality.
• Lawrence O'Donnell: an American television host, political commentator, 1949-born lawyer and author.
• Donal O'Donnell: a 13th-century King of Tir Conaill in medieval Ireland.
• Catherine O'Donnell: an actress known for her roles in films such as The Darkest Minds and Isn't It Romantic.
• Niall O'Donnell: an Irish Gaelic Footballer who plays for the Gweedore footballing team.
• A.J. O'Donnell: an American actor, writer, and producer, best known for his role as Phillip Price on Mr. Robot.
• Kevin O'Donnell: an American science fiction and fantasy author, who is best known for his novel series, The Long Night of Marines.
• Mark O'Donnell: an American playwright and author, best known for co-writing the musicals Hairspray and Cry-Baby.
• Conor O'Donnell: an Irish professional soccer player, currently playing for the English Football League Two side Port Vale.
• Donal O'Donnell: an Irish singer-songwriter, best known for his hit single 'The Story of X'.

Other surnames

ODonel