Neil


Neil is a masculine name of Irish origin. The name is an anglicisation of the Irish Niall which is of disputed derivation. The Irish name may be derived from words meaning "cloud", "passionate", "victory", "honour" or "champion". As a surname, Neil is traced back to Niall of the Nine Hostages who was an Irish king and eponymous ancestor of the Uí Néill and MacNeil kindred. Most authorities cite the meaning of Neil in the context of a surname as meaning "champion".

Origins

The Gaelic name was adopted by the Vikings and taken to Iceland as Njáll. From Iceland it went via Norway, Denmark, and Normandy to England. The name also entered Northern England and Yorkshire directly from Ireland, and from Norwegian settlers. Neal or Neall is the Middle English form of Nigel.
As a first name, during the Middle Ages, the Gaelic name of Irish origins was popular in Ireland and later Scotland. During the 20th century Neil began to be used in England and North America, and grew in popularity throughout the English-speaking world; however, in England, it has recently been eclipsed by the Gaelic form.
The surname Neil is a reduced form of the surname McNeil, or variant form the surname of Neill.
The name passed from Ireland to Scotland where it had the Mc/Mac prefix a prefix that already existed in the Irish surname such as Lóegaire mac Néill. Some Scottish McNeills returned to Ireland in the 14th century and are associated with MacNeill, MacGreal, MacReill, and Mag Reil surnames.
The Manx version of the name is Kneal, Kneale, or Kneel. It evolved from McNelle and MacNeyll becoming Kneal by 1598.

Variants

Variants of the given name include Neale and Neal. The table below sets out the various surnames derived from Niall and Nial.
NameYearCountry of originMentioned
MacNele1289Scotland
Neel1170–1182EnglandYork Charters
Neil1260EnglandAssize Rolls, Yorks
Nele1304EnglandSubsidy Rolls, Yorks
Nigelli1195EnglandFeet of Fines, Warwicks
Niel1841ScotlandA frequent spelling variant of Neil in the 1841 Census of Aberdeenshire
Nel, Neel1208–1210EnglandCuria Regis Rolls, Berkshire

Notable people with the given name

People with the surname

Fictional characters