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Dhòmhnaill

Dhòmhnaill is a Scottish Gaelic form linked to the given name Donald. It originates from the older Gaelic Domhnall (or Dòmhnall), from which modern Gaelic names such as Dòmhnall are derived. In Gaelic orthography, the initial Dh indicates lenition, and Dhòmhnaill often appears in grammatical or historical contexts rather than as a common contemporary given name.

In usage, Dhòmhnaill is primarily understood as a variant of the name Domhnall used in certain forms

Dhòmhnaill also appears as a component in Gaelic patronymic and surname forms. The best-known example is MacDhòmhnaill,

In summary, Dhòmhnaill is a Gaelic form tied to Donald, chiefly seen in historical or patronymic contexts,

of
the
language.
The
standard
modern
form
of
the
given
name
is
Dòmhnall,
while
Dhòmhnaill
is
encountered
in
older
texts
and
in
specific
grammatical
constructions.
The
meaning
of
the
root
name
is
traditionally
explained
as
“world
ruler,”
combining
elements
that
refer
to
world
and
ruling
power.
the
Gaelic
form
of
MacDonald,
meaning
“son
of
Donald.”
The
MacDhòmhnaill/MacDonald
surname
family
roots
are
strongly
associated
with
the
Scottish
Highlands
and
Islands,
reflecting
the
historical
prominence
of
the
MacDonald
clan
in
Gaelic
Scotland.
with
the
modern
given
name
more
commonly
rendered
as
Dòmhnall.
It
is
etymologically
connected
to
a
clan-based
surname
tradition
that
includes
MacDhòmhnaill,
the
Gaelic
antecedent
of
MacDonald.