O'Neill dynasty

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The ancient arms of Ua Néill

O'Neill (also spelled O'Neil, O'Neall, O'Neal) is a common surname of Irish origin.

Origins

Its original Irish form is Ó Néill or Ua Néill, meaning 'descendant son of Niall'.

In past usage, it refers to an Irish kinship group based in Ulster descended from a family, the Uí Néill from which a number of High Kings of Ireland sprang in medieval times. The progenitor of the dynasty was Niall of the Nine Hostages (Niall Noigiallach), said to be High King and died c.450.

The surname Ó Néill was taken from a descendant of his, Niall Glundubh (Niall Glúndub) of the Uí Néill, who was killed fighting the Danes in 919. Glundubh's grandchild and great-grandchildren would have been the first to use the surname.

The O'Neill was the traditional title of the head of this family, and during early English rule the holder of this title was considered by many to be the rightful High King of Ireland. Today there are three ancient O'Neill dynasties or principalities (see Ó Neill Dynasty Today).

The name of the 10th century Icelandic chieftain Njáll Þorgeirsson is considered to be a variant of the Irish "Niall". The Icelander - eponymous protagonist of Njáls saga, one of the most well-known works of medieval Icelandic Epic poetry - might thus have been of partial Irish ancestry, possibly related to the Irish family.

Most old Irish Family, it is said to be provenient from Olegarius, first Christian King of Ireland, in 432, whose descendants ruled until the 13th century at the quality of Kings, continuing then through a Sovereign Princely line until 1616. They held the titles of Earls of Tyrone and of Barons Dungannon, by Decree of King Henry VIII of England, in 1542. Due to the presecution made to the Catholics in Ireland, at the 17th century, this House divided into four branches: the one of the Earls of Tyrone, which emigrated to Martinique, the one of the Princes of Tyrone and Clanaboy, which established in France and from there came to Portugal, the one of the Fews, which went to Spain, and the one of the Lords of Shanes-Castle, which remained in Ireland and is found extinct.

Arms

A shield silver, two battling lions red, rampant and supporting or holding a right hand palmed in pale red, the two lions accompanied in chief with three stars of five points red, and in point a river of its color or blue waved silver and in the middle of it a salmon swimming of its color, put in face. Crest: an armed arm, handling a sword, all in its color. Motto: Caelo, Solo, Salo, Potentes. War Cry: Lamh dearg Eirin abu. (This is the shield every Catholic branch of this family uses in Ireland, Portugal, Martinique]], Spain and France. The Portuguese family represents the elder branch and uses the same Arms.

Names

O'Neill may refer to:-

People

History of Ireland

Politics

Culture

Sport

Other people

Fictional characters

Places

See also

Related names:

References

External links

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