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Clan MacNeil / MacNeill (Tartans, Crest) and The Story Behind

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MacNeil

Gaelic Name: Gaelic, MacNèil (Son of Neil, champion)

Clan Crest: On a chapeau Gules furred Ermine, a rock Proper

Clan Motto: Buaidhi no bas (To conquer or die)

Clan Badge: Dryas

Lands: Barra

Historic Seat: Kisimul Castle

Clan Chief: Roderick Wilson Macneil of Barra

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MacNeil Clan History

This clan descended from Niall, a descendant of Aodh O'Neill, a king of Northern Ireland in the early eleventh century. Niall arrived on the island of Barra in the Outer Hebrides around 1094 and is widely regarded as the clan's first chief. Barra is thought to have gotten its name from either St. Fionnbharr, the founder of Cork, or St. Barr, the great-grandson of Niall of the Nine Hostages, a famous Irish king.

The Barra line is now widely regarded as the superior of the two branches of the MacNeil clan. Neil MacNeil, 5th of Barra, was made a "Prince" at an Isles council in 1252, a great honor for the family.

Kisimul Castle is the ancestral home of the MacNeills of Barra. Ruadhri "The Turbulent," the fifteenth chief of the MacNeils, has been described as "the last of the Vikings," leading raiding expeditions from his island stronghold of Kisimul. When he was arrested at the end of the sixteenth century for piracy on an English ship, he successfully excused himself to James VI by claiming that he thought it "would be deemed good service to harass the subjects of the woman who killed his sovereign's mother!" Ruadhri was eventually apprehended by his own nephews, and his eldest son, Neil Og, took over as chief.

The clan thrived until the 21st chief was forced to sell Barra in 1838. The chiefship was passed down to a cousin in the United States of America, and it was from there that the current chief's father returned to reclaim the Castle of Kisimul.

He devoted his life to the restoration of the house, which is now the home of the clan MacNeil's chiefs.

Clan chief Iain Roderick Macneil died on February 16, 2010, at the age of 80. Residents of Barra said he was a well-respected individual who took a genuine interest in the island's and its inhabitants' lives. Rory, Iain's son, is now the Macneil's 47th chief.

MacNeil Places & People

Clan MacNeil Individuals

Torquil MacNeill (around 1449)

He was the keeper of Castle Sween in Knapdale and the founder of many branches of the family, MacNeill of Taynish.

Rory MacNeill (died around 1610)

A clan chief from the fifteenth century who was described as a hereditary outlaw. He was known as "The Turbulent" or "Ruari the Tartar" for his wild Viking ways.

Roderick MacNeill (died in 1863)

He was forced to sell the island of Barra as the last chief in the direct line.

Sir James C. MacNeill died in 1904.

He was the last owner of Colonsay before it passed into MacNeill's hands, and he was awarded the Victoria Cross.

MacNeil, Cornell

Cornell Hill MacNeil (1922–2011).

A well-known opera singer from the United States.

MacNeil Tartans

Ancient MacNeil of Barra

Barra Modern's MacNeil

MacNeil Crest & Coats of Arms

Clan MacNeil of Barra Crest

Crest Description: A rock Proper Gules furred Ermine on a chapeau Gules furred Ermine

Coats of Arms of MacNeil of Barra

A word about Coats of Arms:

A coat of arms is granted to an individual under Scottish heraldic law (with the exception of civic or corporate arms). A 'family coat of arms' does not exist. With the exceptions noted above, the arms depicted below are personal arms. Only the person who has been granted these weapons has the right to use them.

Gigha's name is MacNEIL.

Quarterly: Argent, a sinister hand couped, fesseways, in chief, Gules, and in base, wavy, Azure, a salmon, naiant, of the first; 3rd, Or, a lymphad, her oars in saltire, Gules, on a chief, of the last, three mullets, of the first.

Barra of MacNEIL

Quarterly: 1st, Vert, a lion rampant, Or; 2nd, Argent, a triple towered castle issuing from a sea, Proper; 4th, Or, a dexter hand, erect, couped, within an orle of nine fetterlocks, Gules (for Niall of the Nine Hostages, High King of Ireland and founder of the O'Neill dynasty).

Clan MacNeil coat of arms at Kisimul Castle

These arms were matriculated in the name of Robert Lister Macneil of Barra as Chief of the Name and Arms of Macneil on May 27, 1915. Macneil, an American, purchased the Barra estate in 1937 and was in charge of restoring the chiefly stronghold of Kisimul Castle. He passed away in 1970.

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