O’Neill is one of Ireland’s most common surnames, and we are about to discover its true origins.
The Irish surname O’Neill is certainly not a name unknown to most of us, and that is because this traditional Irish last name has been around for centuries.
Many of us will know someone with the last name O’Neill, but we may not know the meaning, history and true origin of the name, which many will find very interesting, especially if that is your surname too.
O’Neill is known to have taken on a few variations, which we will delve deeper into these a little further on.
So, if this is something you have been longing to know more about, then we are here to uncover the story behind one of Ireland’s most common surnames, O’Neill.
Meaning and Origin – the fascinating story behind the name
The fact that this last name starts with an ‘O’ is not uncommon. This is a real giveaway that the name originates in Ireland.
Back in the day, either the ‘O’ or the ‘Mac’ before the name was a way of explaining that you were a descendant of someone in particular.
The Irish last name O’Neill is an anglicised version of the Irish name Ua Neill, where ‘Ua’ meant grandson or descendent, just as ‘O’ and ‘Mac’ did. The name comes from the Irish first name Niall, meaning ‘champion’.
For the name O’Neill, the meaning is the descendant of Neill – which is a given name also of Irish origin. The origins of O’Neill go way back to the fifth-century former warrior King of Ireland by the name of Niall Noigiallach.
This man was once said to have brought St Patrick to Ireland, who then became our patron saint, celebrated on 17 March every year.
The O’Neill’s originated in the province of Ulster and has its special coat of arms, which many other Irish names have too, as well as being linked with a branch of the Ui Neill dynasty.
The coat of arms has its own very interesting story behind it. As the legend would have it, the symbol of the red hand seen in the emblem came about when the land was promised to the first man who could sail or swim to the shores of Ireland.
This promise saw one man known as O’Neill chop off his left hand and throw it to the shore, ensuring he won the land – and that he did. Since the 1920s, this symbol has been used by protestant inhabitants of Northern Ireland.
Popularity and variations – alternative spellings of O’Neill
Of course, throughout the ages, many Irish names were anglicised even more to make them easier to pronounce and spell, and with these changes came a variety of new spellings for O’Neill.
You can find the names O’Neal, O’Neel, MacNeal, Neal, Neill and even Oneal. This Irish name is popular in Ireland, with it being the 10th most popular surname in the country, but the name has made its way around the world too.
It was Hugh O’Neill, the former Earl of Tyrone, who is said to have started Irish emigration back in 1607 during the infamous Flight of the Earls.
After this, more O’Neill’s followed in his footsteps. Many O’Neill’s went to Spain, Puerto Rico, America, New Zealand, Australia, and Canada, which has increased the popularity of the name around the globe.
Famous people with the name O’Neill − people you may have heard of
Within the O’Neill clan, there have been warrior kings, politicians, playwrights, actors as well as fashion designers, which have made the O’Neill’s a very famed group of people. Here are just a small few of the most famous O’Neill’s out there.
Ed O’Neill
Ed O’Neill is an American actor and comedian, most famous for his roles in Married with Children and Modern Family. He has been nominated for multiple Golden Globe and Emmy awards.
Shaquille O’Neal
is an American former professional basketball player. He bears the name, albeit spelt in an alternative form.
He is known by his nickname “Shaq”, and is regarded as one of the greatest basketballer players of all time.
Rory O’Neill
Rory O’Neill is better known by his alter ego Panti Bliss. Rory is a drag queen and gay rights activist from County Mayo.
He is the maker of the popular Panti Bar in Dublin and has been doing drag performances since 1998.
Notable mentions
Hugh O’Neill: The former Earl of Tyrone.
Eugene O’Neill: Eugene O’Neill was an American playwright.
Paul O’Neill: A former United States Secretary of the Treasury.
Don O’Neill: Don O’Neill is an Irish fashion designer behind the famous label Theia, which is known by all the stars.
Connor O’Neill: Soap fans will know this actor for his role in the Australian TV show Neighbours.
Michael O’Neill: A Northern Irish football manager and a pro footballer himself, who currently manages Stoke City.
Phelim O’Neill: He was an Irish nobleman who was the head of the Irish Rebellion of 1641 in Ulster.
Shane O’Neill: This O’Neill is an Irish hurler.
Martin O’Neill: Martin O’Neill is a football manager from Northern Ireland perhaps best known for managing Celtic FC from 2000 to 2005.
Arthur O’Neil: Arthur O’Neill was an Irish Ulster Unionist Party politician.
Ryan O’Neill: Ryan O’Neill is an American soccer player.
FAQs about the O’Neill surname
Where is O’Neills from in Ireland?
The O’Neill’s in Ireland are from the Ulster province.
Is O’Neill a Viking name?
While many Irish surnames have Viking origins, O’Neill is a surname of Irish origin.
How common is the surname O’Neill?
It ranks as the 10th most common surname in Ireland.
Truth be told, the story of the O’Neill’s is a great one, which goes way back to the 5th century and beyond.
This clan have made a name for itself, not only in Ireland but throughout the world for many reasons, which we can see from the many famous people bearing this common Irish surname.
So, next time you meet an O’Neill, give them a crash course in the meaning behind their strong and traditional surname.
NEXT: Learn about more Irish surnames and in particular the surname of O’Brien
