MacNeil
MacNeil is a surname of Scottish Gaelic origin. It is derived from the patronymic Mac an Néill, meaning "son of Néill" (Neil). The given name Néill is an old Gaelic form associated with early kings and chiefs, though its precise meaning is debated. The surname has many spellings in Anglophone contexts, including MacNeill, McNeill, MacNeal, McNeal, and McNeil.
Historically, MacNeil is linked to the Scottish Highlands and the western islands, where Gaelic and clan identities
In modern usage, MacNeil is encountered across public life, scholarship, the arts, and local histories. It is
Variants include MacNeill, McNeill, MacNeal, McNeal, and McNeil. The name is also related to other Gaelic patronyms