McDonell

McDonell is a Scottish surname that originates from the Gaelic clan Mackenzie, meaning "son of Donn". The name developed independently in several regions of Scotland, particularly in the Highlands, where it was associated with the Clan MacDonell of Glengarry and the Clan MacDonell of Keppoch. The spelling variations – McDonnell, MacDonell, McDonell – reflect anglicisation and regional dialects.

The first recorded use of the surname dates to the 14th century in the fourteenth-century annals of the Scottish nobility, with notable figures such as Sir John MacDonell who held lands in Stirling. By the 17th century the MacDonells had migrated to Canada, Ireland, and the United States, where they became part of the Scottish diaspora. In Canada, members of the MacDonell clan settled in Nova Scotia and Ontario, playing roles in the fur trade and the militia.

Prominent individuals bearing the name include the late John McDonell, an American football player known for his college career at the University of Michigan; Thomas R. McDonell, a Canadian historian who published works on Nova Scotian heritage; and Elizabeth McDonell, a contemporary Scottish landscape artist whose work has toured Britain and France. The surname also appears in the media, with businessmen and academics acknowledged for contributions in law, economics, and social science.

In modern statistics, McDonell remains a relatively uncommon surname, with clusters in Scotland and the United Kingdom, while also appearing at lower frequencies in North America and Australia. Its persistence reflects both the historical migration patterns of Scottish families and the enduring cultural identity associated with Highland clans.