Surname MacDonell of Glengarry - Meaning and Origin
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MacDonell of Glengarry: What does the surname MacDonell of Glengarry mean?
The last name MacDonell of Glengarry is an ancient Scottish Clan. It is believed to have a long and distinguished history and is considered to have been established in 1535. The name is both a surname and the name of a region in the Scottish Highlands. The MacDonells of Glengarry are found mainly in the region between the Great Glen and the Isle of Skye.
MacDonell is a form of the Scottish Gaelic "MacDhomhnaill" which translates to "son of Donald". The MacDonells of Glengarry are most commonly known for their support of the Jacobite rebellions in the Disruptions of the 17th and 18th centuries. The region of Glengarry was held by the Clan for many centuries, with the Clan Chief at its head. When the Clan was outlawed due to their support of the Covenanters, many of them retreated to the area of Glengarry to continue their subversive activities.
The MacDonells of Glengarry have a long and proud history and have played a role in Scottish history since the time of Robert the Bruce. Even today the name "MacDonell of Glengarry" is recognisable in Scotland and to many Highland societies and clans. They are the proud heirs of a long and often turbulent history, and despite their struggles and successes, they are recognised today as one of the most ancient clans in all of Scotland.
Order DNA origin analysisMacDonell of Glengarry: Where does the name MacDonell of Glengarry come from?
The MacDonell of Glengarry family is one of Scotland’s oldest and most prominent clans. The original family was descended from an early Celtic chief, Aonghus MacDomhnaill, who lived in the 12th century in Scotland’s Western Highlands.
Today, the small Glengarry population still lives in western Scotland in the counties of Inverness, Lochaber, and Ross and Cromarty, as well as other parts of the Highlands, such as the Isle of Skye. There is also a strong presence of MacDonells in North America, due to the close ties and intermarriage between the Scottish Highlands and the North American continent in the 18th century.
The Canadian branch of the MacDonells of Glengarry hail from Kildonan and Clanranald in the region of Glengarry, in County Glengarry, Ontario. This region is well known for its annual Highland Games held each summer, which celebrate the MacDonell Clan and all the other Scottish clans who settled in the region.
The MacDonells of Glengarry are still active today, both in Scotland and in North America. The Clan is currently led by their Chief, Sir Aeneas Ranaldson MacDonell of Glengarry, who lives in Scotland, and the Clan’s North American branch, Clan Glengarry, is based in Canada. The Clan’s members keep in touch by their Website, Facebook and/or Twitter account, and by attending Clan reunions.The Clan is a strong and vibrant part of Scotland's and North America's culture and heritage.
Variations of the surname MacDonell of Glengarry
The variants, spellings and surnames derived from the MacDonell of Glengarry originate from Ireland. The first recorded use of this surname appears in Donegal in 1527 and references a Finlay MacDonell O'Donnell or Donnell. The surname can be found in historical records spelled various ways, such as MacDonell, MacDonald, and McDonnell. Other variants include MacDaniel, McDonell, MacDonegall, MacDonnell, Macahonell, and M’Donell, among others.
The surname is associated with two distinct septs, both based in Argyle in Ireland and both descending from two distinct branches of the same family. One of these branches, which descended from Domhnall Mor, the progenitor of the Clan Domhnall, moved to Scotland during the 14th century and were known as the MacDonalds. The other branch of the family, descended from Domhnall Dearg, remained in Ireland and assumed the surname MacDonell.
The Clan MacDonell, also known as the Clan of Glengarry, is primarily centered in Inverness-shire in Scotland. The Glengarry branch of the clan is descended from Allan MacDonell of Glengarry, a younger son of Angus Og MacDonald of Islay. This branch is known to use the spelling MDonald and various other spellings, depending on the record.
The Clan Donald is a larger family that is descended from the ancient Scottish kings, including Somerled and his sons, surname Mac Donald, and the Lords of the Isles, who were a branch of Clan Donald. This family is responsible for the spread of variants of the surname MacDonald throughout Scotland and beyond. Spellings of their modern descendants' surnames remain varied and might include: MacDonald, Macdonell, McDonell, McDonnell, M'Donell, MacDaniel, MacDonegall, Macahonell, and many others.
Famous people with the name MacDonell of Glengarry
- Simon MacDonell of Glengarry (1748-1789): Simon was the 15th Chief of Clan MacDonell of Glengarry. He was one of the first Highlanders to join the Jacobite Rising of 1745 and fought in the Battle of Falkirk.
- James MacDonell of Glengarry (1820–1898): James succeeded his father Ranald as the 19th Chief of Clan MacDonell of Glengarry. During his time, he spearheaded multiple public works projects such as building a bridge and a steamboat dock.
- Ranald Alexander MacDonell of Glengarry (1851–1935): The son of James, Ranald was the 20th Chief of Clan MacDonell of Glengarry and was also the Member of Parliament for Inverness-shire from 1895 to 1900. He also served in the British Army during the Second Boer War.
- Alastair Duncan Ranald MacDonell of Glengarry (1881–1964): Alastair was the 21st Chief of Clan MacDonell of Glengarry and served as a Conservative Member of Parliament for Inverness-shire from 1922 until 1930.
- Angus MacDonell of Glengarry (1859–1951): Angus is the son of Ranald Alexander and the younger brother of Alastair. He was the 22nd Chief of Clan MacDonell of Glengarry and was a founding member of the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society.
- Angus James MacDonell of Glengarry (1930–present): Angus is the son of Alastair and the 23rd Chief of Clan MacDonell of Glengarry. He is a historian and author who has written extensively about Scotland and its folkways.