The O'Neill Dynasty: The Irish Royal House of O'Neill

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Project Purpose

The purpose of this sub-project is to show the titular descent of the O'Neill Dynasty, the Irish Royal House of O'Neill (which was taken over and disbanded by King Henry VIII) from the progenitor of the Ui Neill, Niall Noigiallach, also known as "Niall of the Nine Hostages."

Origin and History of the O'Neill Surname

"Ó NÉILL - Derivatives: O'Neill, O'Neal, Neill, Neale - A name given to some descendants of Niall Noigiallach, also known as "Niall of the Nine Hostages." It is the surname of several distinct families in different parts of Ireland, of which several clans and family groups are descended. ^[1]

The "Uí Neill" was the designation of the dynasties claiming descent from Niall of the Nine Hostages. The Northern Uí Néill Kingdoms were the Cenél Conaill and Cenél nEógain, named after Conall and Eoghan, sons of Niall. The Southern Uí Néill were other kingdoms in Ireland, who also claimed descent from Niall. Collectively, these are known as the Uí Néill dynasty. ^[2]

The Northern Uí Néill was initially ruled by the Cenél Conaill, but the Cenél nEógain eventually rose and took control. When it became dominant, it became known as the Kingdom of Ailech. ^[2]

"Niall Glúndub mac Áedo (modern spelling: Niall Glúndubh mac Aodha) was a 10th-century Irish king of the Cenél Eógain and High King of Ireland. He was was the 170th Monarch of Ireland and reigned for three years. While many Irish groups were members of the Uí Néill and traced their descent from Niall Noígiallach, the "O'Neill Dynasty" took its name from Niall Glúndub rather than the earlier Niall." It is from this Monarch the surname O'Neill or "Clan-na-Neil," Neilson, Nelson and Nilson are derived, as well as the Clan O'Neill. ^{[3] [4] [5]}

Prior to this, surnames were not commonly used; names were still expressed in Gaelic tradition. Niall's grandsons Flaithbertach mac Muirchertach O'Neill and Domhnall Mac Muirchertach O'Neill are believed to be the first of this direct line to use O'Neill as a surname, to distinguish the familial line as descent from Niall Glundubh. ^[6]

This particular project will begin with a focus on the Kingdom of Cenél nEógain and explore the descent from Eoghan, to Niall Glundub, then further to Conn Bacach O'Neill, the last King of Tyrone (Tir Eógain) and 1st Earl of Tyrone (following Henry VIII).

Further branches will be explored when this is complete

Structure of the O'Neill Dynasty

Northern Uí Néill

Kingdom of Cenél nEógain (later Ailech)

1. Line 1 of Eoghan Mac Neill - see O'Neill Name Study for the detailed lineage.

Kingdom of Cenél Conaill

Southern Uí Néill

Kingdom of xxxxx

Kingdom of xxxxx

Traditional Irish/Gaelic Titles

These were the titles held prior to Henry VIII restructure and re-grant

High King of Ireland

Eoghan Mac Niall, son of Niall Eochaid "Niall of the Nine Hostages" - Eoghan was progenitor of Kingdom of Cenél Eóghain

Muircheartach Mac Muireadhach, son of Muireadhach Mac Eoghan,

Domhnall and Fearghus, the two sons of Muircheartach, son of Muireadhach

Eochaidh, son of Domhnall; and Baedan Brighi, son of Muircheartach, son of Muireadhach (Cenel Mac Earca).

Colman Rimidh, son of Baedan Brighi, son of Muircheartach.

Aedh Uairidhnach, son of Domhnall Ilchealgach, son of Muircheartach.

Fergal, son of Maelduin,

Aedh Allan, son of Fergal, son of Maelduin

Niall Frossach, son of Fergal, son of Maelduin

Aedh Oirdnidhe, son of Niall Frossach, son of Fergal.

Niall Caille, son of Aedh Oirdnidhe, son of Niall Frosach.

Aedh Finnliath Mac Niall, son of Niall Caille, son of Aedh

Niall Glúndubh mac Áedo - High King of Ireland, King of the Cenél Eógain, son of Aedh Finnliath Mac Niall ^[7]

King of Ulster

King of Tyrone

Conn Bacach O'Neill - surrendered title to King Henry VIII of England - made 1st Earl of Tyrone

Prince of Ulster

The O'Neill

Domhnall O'Neill

Shane "The Proud" O'Neill

English Titles

These were titles used after the Henry VIII restructure and regrant

Earl of Tyrone

Conn Bacach O'Neill - 1st Earl of Tyrone

Hugh O'Neill - 2nd Earl of Tyrone

Baron Dungannon

Matthew O'Neill, 1st Baron Dungannon

Earl O'Neill

Viscount O'Neill

Baron O'Neill

Related Projects

Irish Roots Project

European Aristocrats Project

Ireland Project

Sources

1. O'Hart, J. (1892). Irish Pedigrees; Or, The Origin and Stem of the Irish Nation. (5th ed). Courtesy of the Library of Ireland O'Neill Pedigrees - Line of Heremon .
2. Ron's Attic Not an official site, but has very reputable information
3. Annals of the Four Masters (online) , courtesty of CELT: The Corpus of Electronic Texts
4. Annals of the Kingdom of Ireland by the Four Masters From the Earliest Period to the year 1616, edited and translated by John O'Donovan
5. Bibliography An Excellent Bibliography, used to connect to various works
6. "History Ireland" Ireland's History Magazine
7. A Genealogical History of the Dormant, Abeyant, Forfeited, and Extinct Peerages of the British Empire
8. U.S., Encyclopedia of American Quaker Genealogy for early O'Neills in America
9. Society of Genealogists, London

References

1. ↑ Library of Ireland
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1} - Wikipedia "Northern Uí Néill,"
3. ↑ http://www.libraryireland.com/Pedigrees1/o-neill-1-heremon.php
4. ↑ http://www.oneillclans.com/history/ancient-origins/119-famous-oneills-niall-glundub-mac-aedo-880-919.html
5. ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Niall_Gl%C3%BAndub
6. ↑ O'Neill, Line of Heremon
7. ↑ O'Neill on Rootsweb (not a primary source