Surname Neill - Meaning and Origin

iGENEA DNA Test: Unravelling the Hidden Significance of My Surname 'Neill' and its Impact on My Family Identity

As I peeled back the layers of my iGENEA DNA test results, I discovered an inheritance of Irish lineage, a wealth of untold stories, and connections that painted a vivid picture of my family's past, all under the surname Neill. It has influenced my understanding of my family's identity, my belonging, and the weight that the past carries in shaping our present identities.

Z. Neill

Neill: What does the surname Neill mean?

The surname Neill is of Irish origin and it is derived from the Gaelic name "O'Neill" which means "son of Niall". It refers to descendants of King Niall Noigiallach of Ireland, famously known as Niall of the Nine Hostages. The name Niall in Gaelic means "champion", translating the surname Neill to "son of a champion". Though primarily Irish, it has roots and variants in several cultures due to migration, including Scottish (MacNeill), Italian (Niglio), and Spanish (Nel). It has a very historic and illustrious lineage, related to ancient Irish royalty and nobility. Notable people with this surname include actors Sam Neill and Ed O'Neill, and leading civil rights leader in Northern Ireland, Terence O’Neill.

Neill: Where does the name Neill come from?

The last name Neill is a relatively uncommon one, but it can be found in many places around the world. In the United States, Neill is most heavily concentrated in the Northeast. It can be found in cities such as New York, Boston, Philadelphia, and Baltimore. The surname is also seen in more rural areas across upstate New York and in the Midwest.

In Canada, Neill is prevalent in the province of Ontario, with the largest numbers occurring in the greater Toronto area. It can also be found in British Columbia and Nova Scotia, as well as in Prince Edward Island.

Europeans with the surname Neill can be found in Ireland, Scotland, Germany, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. In Ireland, it is most prevalent in counties Dublin and Mayo. Other areas in Europe where Neill is seen include central and eastern Europe and Scandinavian countries such as Norway, Sweden, and Finland.

In other parts of the world such as Australia, New Zealand, and the Caribbean, Neill can be found concentrated primarily in the larger cities. Traces of the surname can also be found in India and other parts of Asia, but it is not as common in those regions.

Variations of the surname Neill

The surname Neill has many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. It has Irish roots and is an Anglicised form of the Irish: Ó Néill, meaning 'descendent of Niall', an ancient chieftain of Ireland who is traditionally seen as the ancestor of the Uí Néill dynasty.

The spelling of Neill can be varied, including the versions Neale, Neal, Neale, Neall, Neales, Neals, Neihill, Nealle, Neele, Neel, Neile, Niall, Ngialle, Neule, Nihell, and Nyhill.

The surname Neill can be found with specific variations in Scotland, England, and Ireland. It can also be found in North America and Australia, having been taken there by emigrants.

In Scotland, spellings can include O'Neile, O'Neil, O'Neill, Nihill, Neele, and MacNeill, while in England spellings tend to be Neil, Neilson, Neilson, Nelson, Nihell, Nailes, and Neall.

In Ireland, spellings can include O'Neill, O'Neil, Neall, Neil, Nihill, Nihell, Neele, Neile, Neel, Neale, Noone, Nunan, and many others, some of which can be more obscure, like O'Neall, O'Nahill,O'Nehille, and Neheel.

The Neill surname can also be found in the form of MacNeill, which is an Anglicised form of the Irish Gaelic Mac Néill, meaning 'son of Niall'.

In the end, the surname Neill has numerous variations and spellings, all of which are descended from the Irish Ó Néill and can be found all over the world.

Famous people with the name Neill

• Sam Neill: Sam Neill is an acclaimed New Zealand actor, best known for his roles as Dr. Alan Grant in Jurassic Park and Merlin in The Adventures of Merlin.
• Joe Neill: Joe Neill is an American actor and director, best known for his appearances in Hawthorne, The Red Line, and Let’s Make a Deal.
• Ethan Neill: Ethan Neill is an American actor, writer, and producer, known for his roles in Animal Lives (as Piers), and A Star For Christmas (as Sebastian).
• Hilary Neill: Hilary Neill is an award-winning British actress, best known for her performances in My Week with Marilyn (as Mona Aitken), Going Off Big Time (as Tammy), and Emmerdale Farm (as Pam).
• Jochebed Neill: Jochebed Neill is an English actress, known for her performances in Downton Abbey (as Elsie), and Coronation Street (as Gail).
• Mark Neill: Mark Neill is an American guitarist and record producer, known for producing albums for bands such as The Black Keys and The Drive-By Truckers.
• Alison Neill: Alison Neill is a British actress, known for her performances in Bad Education (as Miss Glass), and People Just Do Nothing (as Antonia).
• Anna Neill: Anna Neill is an English singer and songwriter, best known for her song The Day She Said Goodbye.
• Chloe Neill: Chloe Neill is an American author, best known for her urban fantasy series The Chicagoland Vampires.
• Dan Neill: Dan Neill is an American musician, producer, and actor, best known for his performance in the 2014 film Palo Alto.

Other surnames

NeilNeileNeilingNeillanNeilleNeillyNeilsonNeily