MacNeill

MacNeill is a surname of Scottish origin. It derives from the Gaelic MacNeill, literally meaning "son of Neil" (sometimes interpreted as "son of Niall"), and belongs to the class of patronymic surnames common in Gaelic-speaking regions. The name is historically associated with Clan MacNeill, a Scottish clan linked to the western Highlands and the Isles.

Over the centuries, bearers of the name have settled throughout Scotland and into other parts of the British Isles and the Anglophone world, including Canada, the United States, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand. In these communities, individuals named MacNeill have been active in public life, academia, the arts, and sport, contributing to regional and national cultures.

Variant spellings include McNeill, MacNeal, and McNeal. The distribution and spelling variation reflect broader patterns of anglicization and regional pronunciation in Scotland and among the diaspora.