MacNeil of Colonsay

Gaelic Name: MacNèil

Clan Crest: An armoured arm and hand holding a dagger, Proper

Clan Motto: Vincere Vel Mori (To conquer or die)

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

Clan Badge: Dryas

Lands: Colonsay

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MacNeil of Colonsay Clan History

The name MacNeill, like the Lamont, MacLachlan, and MacSween clans, is said to be descended from Niall of the Nine Hostages, Ireland's first historical high king who reigned in the fifth century.

Anrothan, son of Kin Aodh O'Neill, married a princess of Dalriada in the eleventh century, and the house of Torquil of Taynish arose from this union. Torquil MacNeill of Gigha was described as the clan's chief in 1530, but when Gigha passed to the Campbells, Colonsay became the seat of the chiefs, with the brothers Neill MacNeill and John Og MacNeill attempting to restore the house's fortunes.

However, as the power of the mighty Campbells grew, so did the effectiveness of the house of Colonsay, and the clan's chiefship passed from Colonsay to Barra. Donald MacNeill of Colonsay repurchased Gigha in 1780, ushering in a period of island prosperity. Donald was a wise chief, introducing a successful new pattern of crofting while also constructing new houses for the crofters, many with chimney stacks!

Alexander, Donald's son, sold the island to his brother Duncan, the celebrated Lord Justice-General and Lord Colonsay in 1867. The current chief of the MacNeill of Colonsay clan lives in New Zealand.

MacNeil of Colonsay Places & People

People of Clan MacNeill of Colonsay

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 of Colonsay Tartans

MacNeil of Colonsay Ancient

MacNeil of Colonsay Crest & Coats of Arms

Clan MacNeil of Colonsay Crest

Proper crest: An armoured arm and hand holding a dagger.

Coats of Arms of MacNeil of Colonsay

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).