Néill

Néill is a Gaelic name that appears in Ireland and Scotland as both a given name and a surname. In Gaelic contexts, it is closely connected to the personal name Niall and to the surname forms Neill, Neil, and Ó Néill. The spelling Néill reflects traditional Irish orthography and is encountered in historical and contemporary Gaelic texts.

Etymology and forms

The name Niall, from which Néill derives, is common in Irish legend and history, most famously associated with Niall of the Nine Hostages. The exact meaning of Niall is uncertain; scholars have proposed possibilities such as “champion” or “cloud,” among others. Néill functions as a Gaelic rendering of that name and can appear in modern times as a stand-alone given name or as part of a surname.

Usage and distribution

Néill is found within Gaelic-speaking communities and among people of Irish or Scottish descent. As a surname, it is one of several Gaelic spellings related to Neill, Neil, and O’Neill, though it is less common than the anglicized forms. In Ireland, Scotland, and diaspora communities, records in Gaelic and bilingual contexts may preserve the Néill spelling, especially in genealogical, ecclesiastical, and cultural materials.

Historical and cultural notes

The broader surname family linked to Néill includes the Ó Néill lineage, a prominent dynasty in medieval Ireland. While Néill itself is less widely attested as a stand-alone surname today, the form remains part of the Gaelic naming tradition connected to Niall and to related surname variants.

See also

Neill, Neill (surname), O’Neill, Niall.