McDonnell

McDonnell is a surname of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic Mac Dhónaill or Mac Dhonnall, meaning "son of Donnall" (Domhnall). The form has many variants, including MacDonnell, McConnell, MacConnell, and MacDonell. It is common in Ireland, particularly in Ulster, and among the Irish diaspora in North America and Australia.

Notable people with the surname include Mary McDonnell (born 1952), an American actress; James S. McDonnell (1899–1980), an American aviation pioneer who founded the McDonnell Aircraft Corporation; and John McDonnell (born 1951), a British Labour Party politician who has served as a member of parliament.

In business history, McDonnell Aircraft Corporation became a leading American aerospace manufacturer. In 1967 it merged with Douglas Aircraft to form McDonnell Douglas, a major aerospace company. In 1997 McDonnell Douglas merged with Boeing, and the combined operations were integrated into Boeing’s programs. The McDonnell name also endures in philanthropic and scholarly circles through the James S. McDonnell Foundation.

See also: variations of the surname and related names such as McConnell, MacDonnell, and MacDonell.