ONeal

ONeal is a surname commonly regarded as a variant of O'Neill, derived from the Gaelic Ó Néill, meaning "descendant of Néill" or "descendant of Niall." The form O'Neal is one of several Anglicized spellings of Ó Néill and is used in Ireland and among the Irish diaspora. Historically, the Ó Néill name is associated with Ulster and the northern region of Ireland, with branches that spread to various parts of the country and to emigration streams that reached other continents.

Distribution and variations: The name spread to North America and beyond through Irish migration in the 18th and 19th centuries, becoming established in parts of the United States, Canada, and Australia. Spelling variants include O'Neal, Oneal, O'Neil, and O'Neill, reflecting different phonetic renderings and anglicizations of the same Gaelic origin.

Notable people: The surname has been borne by diverse individuals; one widely known example is Shaquille O'Neal (born 1972), American former professional basketball player and television analyst. Other notable bearers exist, though less universally known, and the name appears in various fields including sports, arts, and public life.

See also: O'Neill, Oneal, O'Neil, and related spellings. The surname is often confused with O'Neill, the more common Irish form, though both share the same Gaelic origin.