Mcneill Surname

History of the McNeill Surname

The surname McNeill is of Irish and Scottish origin, deriving from the Gaelic name Mac Niall, which means "son of Niall." Niall is a popular personal name in Gaelic culture, with roots in ancient Celtic mythology. The McNeill surname is believed to have originated in County Donegal in Ireland and spread to Scotland during the Gaelic migrations of the Middle Ages.

Irish Origins

In Ireland, the McNeill surname is most commonly found in the northern counties of Donegal and Antrim. These regions have a strong Gaelic heritage, and the surname is often associated with clan chiefs and noble families. The McNeills of Donegal were known for their bravery and leadership, and many of them played important roles in Irish history.

Scottish Connection

In Scotland, the McNeill surname is particularly prevalent in the western highlands and islands, such as Argyll and the Hebrides. These regions have a strong Gaelic influence, and the surname is often associated with the MacNeil clan. The MacNeils were a powerful clan in medieval Scotland, with strong ties to the Scottish royal family.

Migration to the New World

The McNeill surname has spread far beyond Ireland and Scotland, with significant populations in countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Many McNeills emigrated from Ireland and Scotland during the 19th and early 20th centuries in search of better economic opportunities and a fresh start in the New World.

Demographic Distribution of the McNeill Surname

According to data from the United States Census Bureau and other sources, the McNeill surname is most common in the United States, with over 22,000 individuals bearing the name. Canada, the United Kingdom (including England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland), Australia, and New Zealand also have significant populations of McNeills, ranging from several hundred to several thousand individuals.

United States

In the United States, the McNeill surname is most commonly found in states with large Irish and Scottish populations, such as New York, Pennsylvania, and California. The surname is well-represented in both urban and rural areas, with concentrations in cities like Boston, Chicago, and San Francisco.

Canada

In Canada, the McNeill surname is most prevalent in provinces such as Ontario, British Columbia, and Nova Scotia. The surname is often associated with people of Irish and Scottish descent, particularly in cities like Toronto, Vancouver, and Halifax.

United Kingdom

In the United Kingdom, the McNeill surname is fairly evenly distributed across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. It is particularly common in regions with strong Gaelic and Celtic influences, such as the Scottish Highlands, the Isle of Skye, and the counties of Donegal and Antrim in Northern Ireland.

Australia and New Zealand

In Australia, the McNeill surname is most common in states like New South Wales, Victoria, and Queensland. Many McNeills in Australia are descended from early Irish and Scottish settlers who arrived during the colonial period. In New Zealand, the surname is most prevalent in the North Island, especially in cities like Auckland and Wellington.

Notable Bearers of the McNeill Surname

Over the centuries, many individuals with the surname McNeill have made significant contributions to their communities and professions. From politicians and scholars to artists and entrepreneurs, McNeills have excelled in a wide range of fields.

Politics and Public Service

One notable bearer of the McNeill surname is John McNeill, a former Member of Parliament in the United Kingdom. John McNeill was known for his progressive policies and advocacy for social justice, and he played a key role in shaping British politics during the early 20th century.

Academia and Research

Another prominent McNeill is Elizabeth McNeill, a renowned biologist and environmentalist. Elizabeth McNeill's groundbreaking research on endangered species and habitat conservation has earned her international acclaim, and she continues to be a leading voice in the field of environmental science.

Arts and Culture

In the world of arts and culture, the McNeill surname is associated with talented individuals like Fiona McNeill, a celebrated poet and playwright. Fiona McNeill's work is known for its lyrical beauty and emotional depth, and she has won numerous awards for her contributions to literature.

Business and Innovation

Many McNeills have also made their mark in the business world, with entrepreneurs like James McNeill leading successful startups and corporations. James McNeill's innovative approach to business and dedication to customer service have earned him a reputation as a visionary leader in the industry.

The surname Mcneill within the globe

Globalization has meant that surnames distribute far beyond their country of origin, so that it is possible to find African surnames in Europe or Indian surnames in Oceania. Similar takes place in the case of Mcneill, which as you can corroborate, it can be said it is a surname that can be found in most of the countries associated with globe. In the same way you will find nations in which undoubtedly the thickness of men and women using the surname Mcneill is more than in other countries.

The map of the Mcneill surname

View Mcneill surname map

The likelihood of examining on a globe map about which nations hold a greater number of Mcneill on earth, helps us plenty. By putting ourselves regarding the map, for a tangible country, we could begin to see the tangible number of individuals because of the surname Mcneill, to obtain this way the precise information of all Mcneill that one can presently find in that country. All this also assists us to know not just in which the surname Mcneill comes from, but also in what way the individuals that are initially the main family that bears the surname Mcneill have moved and moved. Just as, you can see by which places they've settled and grown up, which explains why if Mcneill is our surname, this indicates interesting to which other nations regarding the globe it's possible that certain of our ancestors once moved to.

Nations with additional Mcneill worldwide

In the event that you view it carefully, at apellidos.de we give you all you need to be able to have the actual data of which countries have the greatest amount of people using the surname Mcneill into the entire world. Moreover, you can see them really visual means on our map, in which the countries with the highest number of people with all the surname Mcneill is visible painted in a stronger tone. In this way, and with just one look, it is simple to locate by which countries Mcneill is a common surname, as well as in which nations Mcneill is definitely an uncommon or non-existent surname.

Not all surnames similar to the surname Mcneill are related to it. Sometimes it is possible to find surnames similar to Mcneill that have a different origin and meaning.

Errors in writing, voluntary changes by the bearers, modifications for language reasons... There are many reasons why the surname Mcneill may have undergone changes or modifications, and from those modifications, surnames similar to Mcneill may have appeared, as we can see.

Mcneill Surname

Another Languages