You are not logged in

Find a tribe

See where your tribe is on the Global Leaderboard

32,230 O'Neil Members around the world.

Keep me informed as to O'Neil Family online & offline events

My O'Neil family came from:

Question of the day

Would you consider youself a friend of the countries associated with the origin of your family name?


See one of our recent Ireland101 Tribe Gatherings

O'Neil members around the world

Loading

Mum's maiden surname:

Mum's mum's maiden surname:

Dad's mum's maiden surname:

O'Neil Family History

“Lamh Dearg Eirin”

The Red Hand of Ireland

Design your own O'Neil Family Crest

The name is the same in Irish as it is in English and for 1,000 years O Neill has been one of the most prestigous of Irish families. Niall means ‘champion’ and was first used by Domhall, grandson of Nial Glun Dubh (black knee), King of Ireland, killed in 890 by the Norsemen. The O Neills go further back, claiming descent from the legendary Niall of the Nine Hostages. They were very strong in Ulster and to curb their power Queen Elizabeth had their Tullahogue inauguration stone broken up. In the 14th century they separated into two main branches; the senior branch were Princes of Tyrone while their junior branch were the Clanaboys of Antrim and Down.


The O'Neil Gallery

Have a free ancestral research assessment by one of our 101 genealogists

You must be logged in to add to the gallery.

The O'Neil Family Message Board

  • Find your O'Neil ancestor

  • Tell us about your O'Neil Family

  • Ask a question about the O'Neil history

  • Tell us about your O'Neil ancestors


Leave a message for O'Neil family members.




 

Join MyTribe

Areas of origin

  • Take the Down quiz