Surname MacDonnel - Meaning and Origin

MacDonnel: What does the surname MacDonnel mean?

The surname MacDonnel is of Scottish origin and derives from the Celtic name "Domhnall" which means 'ruler of the world'. The prefix 'Mac' means 'son of', hence "MacDonnel" means 'son of Domhnall' or 'son of the ruler of the world'. This surname is traced back to the Scottish Highlands and the Hebrides islands. It became prominent through the Clan Donald, one of the largest Scottish clans, with branches like MacDonnell, MacDonalds of Keppoch and MacDonalds of Glengarry. The MacDonnells of Antrim, in Ireland, derived from the Scottish clan, further diffused the surname, connecting it to both Scottish and Irish ancestry. It's also alternatively spelt as McDonnell, MacDonnell, or McDonald. Variations in spelling often arose due to a lack of standardization in early historical periods and the translation of names from Gaelic to English. While 'MacDonnel' is a patronymic surname, its widespread presence today also includes descendants not directly related to the original bearer.

MacDonnel: Where does the name MacDonnel come from?

The last name MacDonnel, also spelled MacDonald, McDonnell and several other ways, has both Scottish and Irish origins. It's an anglicized form of the Gaelic name "Mac Dhomhnuill", which translates to "son of Domhnall". The name Domhnall means "world ruler" in Gaelic.

The name first originated in Scotland, specifically in the regions of Ross and the Hebrides. The MacDonnels were considered part of the Scottish Clans, which were kinship groups with strong ties of blood relationship.

From Scotland, the name spread to Ireland, particularly in the province of Ulster, due to Scottish migration during the Plantation of Ulster in the 17th century.

Today, the MacDonnel surname is common in both Scotland and Ireland. Outside of these countries, places with significant Scottish and Irish diaspora, such as the United States, Canada, and Australia, also have a substantial presence of people with the MacDonnel name. Despite the different spellings, generally anyone with a variation of the MacDonnel surname can trace their lineage back to the Scottish Clan Donald.

Variations of the surname MacDonnel

The surname MacDonnel, of Irish origin, has various spellings and variants that have evolved over time due to regional dialects and phonetic spelling. The following are some of the common and less common spellings and variants:

Macdonald, MacDonald, Macdonell, McDonnel, Mc Donnell, O'Donnel, McDonell, McDonnell, MacDonell, O'Donnell, MacConnell, Donald, Donnell, McDaniel, Danel, Donel, Donley, and Donaldson.

The prefix 'Mac' or 'Mc' signifies 'son of', and the prefix 'O' denotes 'grandson of'. These prefixes are often interchanged or omitted in various versions of the surname.

Also, the 'Donnel' part of the name sometimes undergoes changes in spelling including: Donnell, Danel, Donel and Donley. Further, the combination of 'Mac' and 'Donald' resulted in the creation of the surname 'Macdonald' and its variants including MacDonald.

Regardless of the spelling, all these variants trace back to the original Gaelic versions: 'Domhnall', 'Mac Dhomhnuill' or 'Ó Domhnaill'. All these names connect to the same Irish clan lineage. The surname, in its various forms, bears a history that's deeply woven into the fabric of Irish heritage and culture.

Famous people with the name MacDonnel

• Norm Macdonald: Famous Canadian stand-up comedian, writer, and actor, best known for his tenure on Saturday Night Live.
• James Macdonnell: A notable Irish officer that played a crucial role in the Battle of Waterloo.
• Michael MacDonnell: A renowned British television producer, best remembered for his contribution to TV shows such as "Holby City" and "Casualty."
• Colin Macdonell: A British Army Officer notably recognized for his heroism during the World War II.
• John Macdonnell: A notable Canadian lawyer and political figure in Ontario.
• Henry MacDonell: Known for being the second Mayor of Green Bay, Wisconsin, United States.
• Angus MacDonell: A soldier and political figure in Upper Canada.
• Gord McDonell: A professional ice hockey player from Canada who played as a center for the Detroit Red Wings.
• Drew Macdonell: A popular Canadian Action Cross runner.
• James MacDonnell: An Irish recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy.
• Gaspard-Pierre-Gustave Joly de Lotbinière: Best known as Sir Henry Gustave Joly de Lotbinière, a Canadian lawyer and politician.

Other surnames

MacDonnell