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O'Neill

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Neill, Nihill, O’ Neal, Ó Néill

 

Ó Néill comes from the personal name Niall, which possibly means ‘passionate’ or ‘vehement’. The O’ Neills were the leading family of the Cineál Eoghan tribal grouping, who ruled the ancient territory of Tír Eoghan, which comprises the modern Co. Tyrone as well as parts of Derry and Donegal. The name today ranks as tenth most numerous in Ireland, and remains strongest in the province of Ulster.