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 were strongest. Through emigration, bearers of the name spread to North America and other parts of the world. In Canada, MacNeil families are well represented in Nova Scotia and Cape Breton, reflecting centuries of Scottish settlement. The name also appears in the United States, Australia, and other countries with Scottish diaspora communities.

In modern usage, MacNeil is encountered across public life, scholarship, the arts, and local histories. It is commonly found in genealogical records, parish registers, and census data, where researchers trace lineage and regional distribution.

Variants include MacNeill, McNeill, MacNeal, McNeal, and McNeil. The name is also related to other Gaelic patronyms formed with Mac as a prefix, reflecting broader naming practices in Scotland and Ireland.