Scottish Clans - Clan MacNeill Of Scotland
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Published on 17 February 2009
The early history of the Clan MacNeill is uncertain. There were two main branches, the MacNeills of Barra and the MacNeills of Gigha, but the former is now generally recognised as the chief. Neil Og is recorded to have received lands in Kintyre from Robert the Bruce. The clan were vassals of the Lord of the Isles, and in 1427 Gilleonan received from his overlord a charter of Barra and the lands of Boisdale in South Uist, which charter was confirmed in 1495 by James IV after the forfeiture of the Lord of the Isles.
The MacNeills of Barra subsequently supported the MacLeans of Duart, while the MacNeills of Gigha followed the MacDonalds of Isla. The Barra MacNeills were prominently concerned in the actions of the MacLeans for the next two centuries, and in the feuds of the MacLeans and the MacDonalds the two branches of MacNeills were found often fighting on the opposing sides.
General Roderick MacNeill, the last chief of Barra, had to part with the island which he sold in 1840, and he died in England in 1863. When Neil, the last chief of the MacNeills of Gigha, was killed in 1530, the chiefship passed to the MacNeills of Taynish, and in 1590 Hector of Taynish repurchased Gigha, which had been sold in 1554. In 1780 Gigha was sold to the MacNeills of Colonsay, who had obtained Colonsay from the Duke of Argyll, in 1700, in exchange for the lands of Crerar. Colonsay remained with the MacNeill family until the death of Sir James C. MacNeil of Barra, 45th chief.
Crests: A rock, proper. A mailed arm, the hand holding a dagger, proper. Badge: Dryas, Seaware.
War Cry: Buaidh no Bas ( Victory or Death). Pipe music: MacNeill of Barra’s March.
The early history of the Clan MacNeill is uncertain. There were two main branches, the MacNeills of Barra and the MacNeills of Gigha, but the former is now generally recognised as the chief. Neil Og is recorded to have received lands in Kintyre from Robert the Bruce.
The early history of the Clan MacNeill is uncertain. There were two main branches, the MacNeills of Barra and the MacNeills of Gigha, but the former is now generally recognised as the chief. Neil Og is recorded to have received lands in Kintyre from Robert the Bruce. The clan were vassals of the Lord of the Isles, and in 1427 Gilleonan received from his overlord a charter of Barra and the lands of Boisdale in South Uist, which charter was confirmed in 1495 by James IV after the forfeiture of the Lord of the Isles. The MacNeills of Barra subsequently supported the MacLeans of Duart, while the MacNeills of Gigha followed the MacDonalds of Isla. The Barra MacNeills were prominently concerned in the actions of the MacLeans for the next two centuries, and in the feuds of the MacLeans and the MacDonalds the two branches of MacNeills were found often fighting on the opposing sides.
General Roderick MacNeill, the last chief of Barra, had to part with the island which he sold in 1840, and he died in England in 1863. When Neil, the last chief of the MacNeills of Gigha, was killed in 1530, the chiefship passed to the MacNeills of Taynish, and in 1590 Hector of Taynish repurchased Gigha, which had been sold in 1554. In 1780 Gigha was sold to the MacNeills of Colonsay, who had obtained Colonsay from the Duke of Argyll, in 1700, in exchange for the lands of Crerar. Colonsay remained with the MacNeill family until the death of Sir James C. MacNeil of Barra, 45th chief.
Crests: A rock, proper. A mailed arm, the hand holding a dagger, proper. Badge: Dryas, Seaware.
War Cry: Buaidh no Bas ( Victory or Death). Pipe music: MacNeill of Barra’s March.