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McDonald Family History

Mac Domhnaill- or in litriú nua, Mac Donaill, is anglicised MacDonnell, MacDonald, Macdonald, MacConnell, or those forms with the abbreviated 'Mc', as well as Donald, Donaldson, earlier McDaniell & c.The root of this surname is the personal name Domhnall- 'world mighty', Domnuill in Scots Gaelic, which is an ancient and frequent Gaelic first name.

The first statement must be that there are three distinct origins for this name in Ireland: 1) a branch of the Scottish clan MacDonnell/MacDonald; 2) MacDonnell of Thomond, a branch of the O'Briens; 3) MacDonnell of Clan-Kelly in present Co Fermanagh.Of course, lexically, the names are cognate, from the Gaelic name, but there is no genealogical connection between these three families.

Incidentally, the Scottish clan is of remote Irish origin, having come to Scotland with the 'Scoti' (latin word for the Dark Age Irish colonists of Caledonia, such as the tribe of the Dál Riada et. al.)

To take the Scottish clan MacDonnell/MacDonald first, their name would have been pronounced 'mac-hoonul' in Scottish Gaelic: it is likely that many Ulster McConnells have this origin.

As stated, they were by remote origin Irish Gaels, and their main branches were spread through the Islands and western highlands. The MacDonalds of Glencoe, infamously massacred by their guests, a Campbell regiment of the British Army, on 13th February, 1692, were conscious bearers of an Irish heritage they claimed to reach back to Conn of the Hundred Battles.

The clan Donald descend from Domnuill or Domhnall, grandson of Somhairle or Somerled, the lord of Argyll. (This first name was later used by the MacDonnells of Antrim, in the form 'Sorley'). As Lords of the Isles they became extremely powerful, from the 12th century onwards,vying with the lowland royal Stuarts for the control of most of Scotland.

Members of this Highland clan came to Ireland in the 14th and 15th centuries as 'galloglaigh' or gallowglass. These were heavily armed mercenaries used by the Irish chiefs and lords; in fact they were the elite soldiers of their time. According to Woulfe ('Sloinnte Gaedheal is Gall', 1923) they formed a military clan of their own and settled in parts of Leinster, notably in Cos Leix and Wicklow.

At the beginning of the 15th century Iain Mór, a son of the Lord of the Isles,came into possession of the Glens of Antrim, but it is likely that MacDonnells/MacDonalds had already been established in numbers there before this date.

The second family would be the MacDonnells of Thomond, descended, in all probability, from one Domhnall, a son of Muirchertach ua Briain who was king of Ireland in the 12th century. This surname, in the form MacDonnell, is well established in Co Clare and adjacent areas in Co Limerick etc.

The third family mentioned, that of Clan-Kelly in western Ulster, which I have read stated to be 'almost extinct' (MacLysaght, 'Irish Families' series, 1980, 1982). However, there is plenty of evidence for this name in Fermanagh in the 1659 'Census' figures below.

In Petty's 1659 'Census' of Ireland, the name is listed as a 'Principal Irish Name' in counties: (all figures are for families)

Leix
Ossory Barony, McDaniell, 7; Maryborough, (Mc)Daniell 8; Cullenagh, Daniell 6; Portnyhinch, McDaniell, 10; Stradbally, Donnell & McDonnell, 9; Tynahinch, (Mc)Daniell, 6.

Antrim
Glencarne Barony, McDonald, 9 (+ John Donaldson is listed as a proprietor & gentleman of Glenarme); Masareene, McConnell, 9; Belfast, (Mc)Donnell, 10; Dunluce/Carey, McConnell 16, McDonnell 10.

Clare
Bunratty Barony, McDaniell, 31; Tulla, McDaniell, 26; Inchiquine, McDaniell, 13; Island, McDaniell, 16; Clandirala, McDaniell, 10; Corcomroe, McDaniell 7.

Fermanagh
Clownish & c. parishes, McDonnell, 10; Bohue Rossory, McDonnell, 4; Aghaharcher & c., McDonnell, 8; Dunmurry & c., McDonnell, 23.

The returns for Co Wicklow are missing from the 1659 'Census'.

By the time of Griffith's 'Primary Valuation' of property in the mid 19th century, the name is listed as McDonnell and McDonald, and the top counties for each are as follows:

McDonnell: Mayo 389, Antrim 180 + Belfast 68, Dublin 125 + Dublin City 101, Louth 184, Cavan 180, Kilkenny 165, Monaghan 163, Roscommon 151, Tyrone 144, Cork 138.

McDonald: Leix 73, Carlow 44, Louth 35, Kilkenny 31, Tyrone & Cavan each 30.

(In respect of the above figures, quite a number of families of 'Donnell' are to be found in Co Kilkenny in the 1659 'Census', as are McDonnell/McDaniell families in Co Cork. Figures for Louth are negligible. The returns for Mayo, Cavan and Tyrone are missing.)

In the 1890 births records, McDonnell was listed most in counties Dublin, Cork, Antrim, Mayo and Galway (247 entries); and McDonald in Dublin, Carlow, Antrim, Cavan and Wexford (191 entries).

Four famous MacDonnells/MacDonalds:

Sorley Boy MacDonnell (1505-1590) chief of the Antrim clan, who resisted English incursions into his territory, successfully, during their Elizabethan heyday.

Sean Ciarach MacDonnell (1691-1754) great Munster poet.

Richard James (1909-98) and Maurice James (1902-71) McDonald, 'Dick' and 'Mac'', were the fast food pioneers who revolutionised the eating habits of millions.
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    McDonald

    My name is Don Lorimer, my great great great grandfather was Alexander McDonald born 1809 in Enniskillan. (married Jane Smith) his father my gggg grandfather was Anthony McDonald born 1777 (married :Susan Sweeny) I am searching for any information on my McDonald heritage
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    McDonald

    Jasper Newton Mcdonald 05/05/1976 still living . Master Texas Peace officer and highly decorated DEA and USMS task force officer. Credited for capturing the largest cocaine seizure from Mexican cartels to the US. Also credited with the largest United States currency seizure in DEA San Antonio’s history. Not publicly credit with but in a Texas Ranger report , returning fire on ambush attacker That had killed one state trooper 2 deputy’s and wounded several others. McDonald fired 17 rounds from an AR15 in a gun battle with the attacker under the cover of darkness . The ambush attacker was shot multiple times but ultimately ruled a suicide. McDonald is currently a operations manager for professional military contractor operating in 30 countries. McDonald also owns JM Ranches LLC and runs the ranches even when deployed.
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    Tina

    My 4th great grandfather was William McDonald born in Ireland in 1809.He served in the British navy and went to Malta in 1835.
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    Mcdonald

    James (jas) was a sexton for the church of Ireland possibly at holy trinity Westport county mayo because he had son Joseph henry there on 4/6/1837 his other son was John michl baptised on 28/3/1843 in the parish of burriscarra diocese tuma county mayo .james spouse was Margt (margret)kelly .john Michael was my grandfather who migrated to Australia how and when unknown but he married three times first to Sarah Duggan in Narrabri n s w then to Maria Flanagan at Stanthorpe qld ,third my grandmother at Tenterfield frances Elizabeth grant in 1908 they had one son Robert renwick my father ,John died in 1920.
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    elizabeth fannon

    My name was Elizabeth mc Donald,Igrew up in gortaquill co cavan I believe my grandfather Patrick mc Donald originated from co Monaghan and moved to Cavanin in the 1850s when they were dividing up land, Would love to know more history of same
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    Sheila Oliveri

    I have traced my family back to County Cavan Ireland through cemetery gravestone and 1821 Irish census. I would like to get further back and find out where the family originated. In 1821 census the family is listed as McDaniel. The Church records also list them as such. It is not until my grandfather that they are officially listed as McDonàld. The grave marker is recorded as McDonàld. Any suggestions?
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    Anthony Barrett

    (Part 1 of 3) The McDonald name has a long history in Ireland and now DNA can trace its origin to the north-western region of the Emerald Island. The McDonald story [dominated by DNA tribal marker R1b-L513, Subgroup B1] can trace their beginnings to the Finn Valley in Donegal, Ireland from 50 BCE. Perhaps the journey begins with the Clanna Dedad; Deda, son of Sen or Deda Mac Sin. The McDonald surname origin is from Clan Domnaill [DNA Tribe R1b-L513, Subgroup B1] and relations who remain in Ireland take the modern surname O’Donnelly, O’Donoghue and Hughes in Ireland.
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    Anthony Barrett

    (Part 2 of 3) According to research, the Domnaill name is also found in Brittany, France. It is a very old name which appears in the 5th century Roman inscriptions as Dumnovellaunos in Brittany meaning “Deep Valour” equivalent to Irish Domhnaill. But how could this be? Recent discoveries from DNA testing are unlocking the migration patterns of Celtic tribes as late as 800 CE to 1200 CE. The McDonald story begins in pre-history Ireland but relatives will then move to Wales where the family can be traced back to their Welsh tribe Cydifor Fawr. A descendant and many of his kin will then move to Brittany, France during the Dark Ages.
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    Anthony Barrett

    (Part 3 of 3) Discover their newly found untold story and how forgotten texts bring their story back to life. From the ebook, “The Tribe Within” learn how DNA unfolds this amazing tale and if you look in the right places, how history narrates this evidence. There is another written account of their story, but it is camouflaged in smoke and myth – it will become the tales of King Arthur. Come follow in the footsteps of Deda Mac Sin and visit https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/401207
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    lisanchris

    Hi my name is lisa mcdonald and I and my brother christopher are searchin for any information about our true heratige
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