Neal (

Neil Neil is a masculine name of Gaelic and Irish origin. The name is an anglicisation of the Irish ''Niall'' which is of disputed derivation. The Irish name may be derived from words meaning "cloud", "passionate", "victory", "honour" or "champion".. A ...

) is a given masculine name and surname of Gaelic and

Irish Irish may refer to: Common meanings * Someone or something of, from, or related to: ** Ireland, an island situated off the north-western coast of continental Europe ***Éire, Irish language name for the isle ** Northern Ireland, a constituent unit ...

origin. The name is an Anglicisation of the Irish Niall which is of disputed derivation. The Irish name may be derived from words meaning "cloud", "passionate", "victory", "honour" or "champion". As a surname, Neil is traced back to

Niall of the Nine Hostages Niall ''Noígíallach'' (; Old Irish "having nine hostages"), or Niall of the Nine Hostages, was a legendary, semi-historical Irish king who was the ancestor of the Uí Néill dynasties that dominated Ireland from the 6th to the 10th centuries. ...

who was an Irish king and eponymous ancestor of the Uí Néill and MacNeil kindred. Most authorities cite the meaning of Neal in the context of a surname as meaning champion.

Surname

Abbie Neal Esther "Abbie" Neal (April 4, 1918-February 15, 2004) was an American musician whose career in country music lasted more than 50 years. Early years One of eight children, Neal was the daughter of Mr. And Mrs. Carlton M. Neal of Baxter, Pennsylvan ...

(1918–2004), American country music entertainer * Adam Neal (born 1990), English rugby league player * Alice B. Neal (1828–1863), American writer *

Arthur Neal Arthur Neal (23 September 1862 – 29 January 1933) was a British politician. Born in Sheffield, Neal attended Wesley College before becoming a solicitor. He was also the President of Sheffield's Chamber of Commerce. Political career Neal wa ...

(1903–1982), English footballer *

Blaine Neal Blaine Neal (born April 6, 1978) is an American former professional baseball relief pitcher. Neal played with the Florida Marlins (–), San Diego Padres (), Boston Red Sox (), and Colorado Rockies (2005) of Major League Baseball (MLB). He bats l ...

(born 1978), American relief pitcher in Major League Baseball *

Bob Neal (Atlanta sportscaster) Bob Neal (born November 14, 1942 in Morristown, Tennessee, raised in Chicago) is an American sportscaster. Career Bob Neal has been involved for forty years with television and radio at the national and local level. He is currently engaged in ...

(born 1942), American sports broadcaster *

Bob Neal (Cleveland sportscaster) Robert Neal (1916 – December 29, 1983) was an American sportscaster who worked primarily in Cleveland, Ohio. Neal graduated from Columbia University. He broadcast the Cleveland Indians on radio 1957–1961 and 1965–1972, and on televisio ...

(1916–1983), American sports broadcaster * Charles Lincoln Neal (also known as "Link") (see

Rhett & Link Rhett James McLaughlin (born October 11, 1977) and Charles Lincoln "Link" Neal III (born June 1, 1978) are an American comedy duo. Self-styled as "Internetainers" (a portmanteau of "Internet" and "entertainers"), they are known for creating and ...

) (born 1978), American internet personality *

Charlie Neal Charles Lenard Neal (January 30, 1931 – November 18, 1996) was an American professional baseball baseball player, player, a second baseman and shortstop who had an eight-season career (1956–1963) in Major League Baseball. Signed by the Brookl ...

(1931–1996), American baseball player *

Chris Neal Christopher Michael Neal (born 23 October 1985) is an English professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for club AFC Fylde. He began his career at Preston North End, making his English Football League debut in February 2005, having p ...

(born 1985), English football goalkeeper *

Daniel Neal Daniel Neal Daniel Neal (14 December 16784 April 1743) was an English historian. Biography Born in London, he was educated at the Merchant Taylors' School, and at the universities of Utrecht and Leiden. In 1704 he became assistant minister, an ...

(1678–1743), British historian *

David Dalhoff Neal David Dalhoff Neal (October 20, 1838May 2, 1915), was an American artist. Early years David Dalhoff Neal was born to father Stephen Bryant Neal and mother Mary (Dalhoff) Neal, on Middlesex Street, in Lowell, Massachusetts. His grandparents were ...

(1838–1915), American artist, father of Max Neal *

Diane Neal Diane Neal (born November 17, 1976) is an American actress best known for her role as New York Assistant District Attorney Casey Novak in the television series '' Law & Order: Special Victims Unit'', which she played from 2003 to 2008, and 2011 to ...

(born 1976), American actress and political candidate *

Dylan Neal Dylan Jeremy Neal (born October 8, 1969"Catching up with....Dylan Neal". ''Soap Opera Digest''. July 22, 2013. p. 73.) is a Canadian/American actor. He holds dual citizenship in Canada and the United States. He is known for his portrayal of the ...

(born 1969), Canadian actor *

Edwin Neal Edwin Neal is an American actor and voice actor, perhaps best known for his role as the hitchhiker in ''The Texas Chain Saw Massacre''. He has been a voice talent and actor for years appearing on screen and off, including three voices in Wii's '' ...

(born 1945), American actor *

Elise Neal Elise Demetria Neal (born March 14, 1966) is an American actress. Her big break came with three 1997 films, appearing in ''Rosewood'', '' Money Talks'' and ''Scream 2''. From 1998 to 2002, Neal starred as Yvonne Hughley in the ABC/ UPN sitcom ...

(born 1966), American actress *

Eric Neal Sir Eric James Neal, (born 3 June 1924) is an Australian retired businessman and public officer. He is a former Commissioner of Sydney (1987–1988), Governor of South Australia (1996–2001) and Chancellor of Flinders University (2002–2010 ...

(born 1924), Australian businessman *

Evan Neal Evan Neal (born September 19, 2000) is an American football offensive tackle for the New York Giants of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Alabama and was selected seventh overall by the Giants in the 2022 NFL D ...

(born 2000), American football player * Frederick "Curly" Neal (1942–2020), American basketball player *

Gary Neal Gary Neal (born October 3, 1984) is an American professional basketball coach and former player. He played college basketball at La Salle University and Towson University. He began his professional career abroad with teams in Turkey, Spain and ...

(born 1984), American basketball player *

Jackie Neal Jacqueline "Jackie" Neal (July 7, 1967 – March 10, 2005) was an American blues singer. Career Born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, her parents were Shirley and Raful Neal. Her father was also a blues musician, as were eight of her ten siblings, in ...

(1967–2005), American blues singer *

James Neal (disambiguation) James Neal may refer to: * James F. Neal (1929–2010), Watergate prosecutor * James G. Neal, American librarian * James Neal (ice hockey) (born 1987), NHL hockey player * Jim Neal (1930–2011), NBA basketball player * James Neal (artist) (1 ...

Jeff Neal Jeff Neal (born June 15, 1969) is a drummer and vocalist best known for his affiliation with classic rock band Boston from 2002 to present. Career Prior to joining Boston and after graduating from the University of Maine at Farmington with a Ba ...

(born 1969), American drummer *

John Neal (disambiguation) John Neal may refer to: * John Neal (writer) (1793–1876), American writer, critic, and activist * John R. Neal (1836–1889), American politician * John Randolph Neal Jr. (1876–1959), American lawyer * John Neal (politician) (1889–1962), ...

Joseph Neal Joseph H. Neal (August 31, 1950 – February 14, 2017) was an American politician. He was a member of the South Carolina House of Representatives The South Carolina House of Representatives is the lower house of the South Carolina General Asse ...

(1950–2017), American politician *

Keanu Neal Keanu Neal (born July 26, 1995) is an American football safety for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League (NFL). He was selected by the Atlanta Falcons with the 17th overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft. He played college footb ...

(born 1995), American football player *

Kenny Neal Kenny Neal (born October 14, 1957), is an American blues guitar player, singer and band member. Neal was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, the son of Raful Neal, and he comes from a musical family. He has often performed with his brothers in his ...

(born 1957), American blues musician *

Larry Neal Larry Neal or Lawrence Neal (September 5, 1937 – January 6, 1981) was a scholar of African-American theatre. He is well known for his contributions to the Black Arts Movement of the 1960s and 1970s. He was a major influence in pushing for black ...

(1937–1981), American author *

Lorenzo Neal Lorenzo LaVonne Neal (born December 27, 1970) is an American former professional football player who was a fullback in the National Football League (NFL) for sixteen seasons. Neal played college football for the Fresno State Bulldogs. He w ...

(born 1970), American football player *

Matt Neal Matthew Neal (born 20 December 1966) is a British motor racing driver. Neal is a triple BTCC Champion having won the British Touring Car Championship in 2005, 2006 and 2011. Neal is also a record 6 time BTCC Independents Champion having won the ...

(born 1966), British racing driver * Max Neal (1865–1941), German playwright, son of David Dalhoff Neal *

Patricia Neal Patricia Neal (born Patsy Louise Neal, January 20, 1926 – August 8, 2010) was an American actress of stage and screen. A major star of the 1950s and 1960s, she was the recipient of an Academy Award, a Golden Globe Award, a Tony Award, and two ...

(1926–2010), Academy Award-winning American actress * Patricia Neal (known as

Fannie Flagg Fannie Flagg (born Patricia Neal; September 21, 1944) is an American actress, comedian and author. She is best known as a semi-regular panelist on the 1973–1982 versions of the game show ''Match Game'' and for the 1987 novel '' Fried Green To ...

) (born 1944), American novelist and actress *

Phil Neal Philip George Neal (born 20 February 1951) is an English retired footballer who played for Northampton Town, Liverpool and Bolton Wanderers as a full back. He is one of the most successful English players of all time, having won seven First D ...

(born 1951), English footballer *

Philip Neal Philip H. Neal (born in Richmond, Virginia) was a principal dancer with New York City Ballet. Career He studied from age 11 at the Richmond Ballet School. After studying there, Edward Villella arranged a summer scholarship for him at NCYB's School ...

, New York City Ballet principal dancer *

Raful Neal Raful Neal (June 6, 1936 – September 1, 2004)Biography '' AllMusic'' was an American Louisiana blues singer, harmonicist and songwriter from the United States. Neal was born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States, and reared by his aunt ...

(1936–2004), American blues singer *

Rajion Neal Rajion Lashad Neal (born March 28, 1992) is an American football running back who is currently a free agent. He played college football at Tennessee. Neal was signed by the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent in 2014, and has also bee ...

(born 1992), American football player *

Richard Neal Richard Edmund Neal (born February 14, 1949) is an American politician serving as the U.S. representative for since 1989. The district, numbered as the 2nd district from 1989 to 2013, includes Springfield, West Springfield, Pittsfield, H ...

(born 1949), Democratic Representative representing Massachusetts' 2nd congressional district * Ryan Neal (born 1995), American football player *

Scott Neal Scott Neal (born 10 June 1978) is a British actor. He is best known for his roles in ''The Bill'', first in guest roles as Ryan Keating and Carl Simms and later as a regular cast member as PC Luke Ashton. He is also known for his role in ''EastE ...

(born 1978), British actor * Shay Neal (born 1990), New Zealand field hockey player * Siran Neal (born 1994), American football player * Stephen Neal (born 1976), American football player *

Stephen L. Neal Stephen Lybrook Neal (born November 7, 1934) is a former North Carolina United States Democratic Party, Democratic politician who served ten terms in the U.S. House of Representatives (1975–1995). Born in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Neal ...

(born 1934), former North Carolina Democrat in the U.S. House of Representatives (1975–1995). *

Tom Neal Thomas Carroll Neal Jr. (January 28, 1914 – August 7, 1972) was an American actor and successful amateur boxer best known for his costarring role in the critically lauded film '' Detour'', for having a widely publicized affair with actress B ...

(1914–1972), American actor *

Ty Neal Tyson B. Neal is an American college baseball coach and former player. He served as head coach of the Cincinnati Bearcats baseball team from 2014 to 2017. Neal was a four-year letterman at Miami, earning 19 victories as a pitcher. He began his ...

, American college baseball coach *

William Neal William Neal (born 1947) is an English artist painter and graphic designer who achieved international recognition after working for the progressive rock band Emerson, Lake & Palmer. During the last 10 years, and alongside his watercolour work, W ...

(born 1947), English painter and graphic designer

Given name

Neal Adams Neal Adams (June 15, 1941 – April 28, 2022) was an American comic book artist. He was the co-founder of the graphic design studio Continuity Associates, and was a creators-rights advocate who helped secure a pension and recognition for Supe ...

(born 1941), American comic book artist *

Neal Ardley Neal Christopher Ardley (born 1 September 1972) is an English professional football manager and former player who played as a right midfielder. He is currently the manager of Solihull Moors. Ardley was capped at Under-21 level by England. Ar ...

(born 1972), English footballer and manager of AFC Wimbledon *

Neal Baer Neal Baer (born 1955) is an American pediatrician and television writer and producer. He is best known for his work on the television shows ''Designated Survivor'', '' ER'' and '' Law & Order: Special Victims Unit''. Biography Education Baer w ...

(born 1955), American pediatrician and television writer and producer *

Neal Boortz Neal A Boortz Jr. (born April 6, 1945) is an American author, former attorney, and former conservative radio host. His nationally syndicated talk show, ''The Neal Boortz Show'', which ended in 2013, was carried throughout the United States. The ...

(born 1945), American radio host *

Neal Brennan Neal Brennan (born October 19, 1973) is an American comedian, writer, producer, director, and podcaster. He is best known for co-creating and co-writing the Comedy Central series ''Chappelle's Show'' (2003–2006) with Dave Chappelle and for his ...

(born 1973), American writer, stand-up comedian, actor, director and producer * Neal Carter (1902–1978), Canadian mountaineer *

Neal Casal Neal Graeme Casal (November 2, 1968 – August 26, 2019) ...

(1968–2019), American guitarist, singer, songwriter and photographer * Neal Cassady (1926–1968), American beatnik who was the basis for

Jack Kerouac Jean-Louis Lebris de Kérouac (; March 12, 1922 – October 21, 1969), known as Jack Kerouac, was an American novelist and poet who, alongside William S. Burroughs and Allen Ginsberg, was a pioneer of the Beat Generation. Of French-Canadian a ...

's character Dean Moriarty *

Neal Marlens Neal (Neil) is a given masculine name and surname of Gaelic and Irish origin. The name is an Anglicisation of the Irish Niall which is of disputed derivation. The Irish name may be derived from words meaning "cloud", "passionate", "victory", "hono ...

(born c. 1955/1956), American television producer, creator of

The Wonder Years ''The Wonder Years'' is an American coming-of-age comedy/drama television series created by Neal Marlens and Carol Black. It ran on ABC from January 31, 1988, until May 12, 1993. The series premiered immediately after ABC's coverage of Super ...

Neal McDonough Neal McDonough (born February 13, 1966) is an American actor. He is known for his portrayal of Lieutenant Lynn Compton, Lynn "Buck" Compton in the HBO miniseries ''Band of Brothers (miniseries), Band of Brothers'' (2001), Deputy District Attorney ...

(born 1966), American actor and producer *

Neal H. Moritz Neal H. Moritz (born June 6, 1959) is an American film producer and founder of Original Film. He has produced over 70 major motion pictures which have grossed a total of over $11 billion worldwide as of 2021. He is best known for the ''Fast & Fu ...

(born 1959), American film producer *

Neal Morse Neal Morse (born August 2, 1960) is an American singer, musician and composer based in Nashville, Tennessee. In 1992, he formed the progressive rock band Spock's Beard with his brother Alan and released an album which was moderately successful. ...

(born 1960), American singer and multi-instrumentalist musician and composer * Neal Nelson, American basketball, tennis and golf coach and professor *

Neal Patterson Neal L. Patterson (December 10, 1949 – July 9, 2017) was an American businessman who was CEO of Cerner Corporation, a Kansas City-based medical software corporation. Patterson was also owner of the Sporting Kansas City soccer team. Early life ...

(1949–2017), American businessman * Neal Purvis (see

Neal Purvis and Robert Wade Neal Purvis (born 9 September 1961) and Robert Wade (born 1962) are screenwriters who co-wrote the seven ''James Bond'' films from 1999's ''The World Is Not Enough'' to 2021's ''No Time to Die'', as well as other works. Early lives Purvis's ...

) (born 1961), British screenwriter *

Neal Shapiro Neal B. Shapiro (born March 9, 1958) is the President and CEO of WNET. He worked previously as the President of NBC News and the executive producer for ''Dateline NBC''. Prior to this Shapiro spent 13 years as a news producer at ABC News. Early ...

(born 1945), American equestrian and Olympic medalist *

Neal Schon Neal (Neil) is a given masculine name and surname of Gaelic and Irish origin. The name is an Anglicisation of the Irish Niall which is of disputed derivation. The Irish name may be derived from words meaning "cloud", "passionate", "victory", "hono ...

(born 1954), American rock guitarist, songwriter, and vocalist *

Neal Shusterman Neal Shusterman (born November 12, 1962) is an American writer of young-adult fiction. He won the 2015 National Book Award for Young People's Literature for his book ''Challenger Deep'' and his novel, ''Scythe'', was a 2017 '' Michael L. Prin ...

(born 1962), American writer of young-adult fiction * Neal Stephenson (born 1959), American writer *

Neal Walk Neal Eugene Walk (July 29, 1948 – October 4, 2015) was an American college and professional basketball player who was a center in the National Basketball Association (NBA) for eight seasons during the late 1960s and 1970s, playing overseas after ...

(1948–2015), American basketball center *

Neal Watlington Julius Neal Watlington (December 25, 1922 – December 29, 2019) was an American Major League Baseball player for the Philadelphia Athletics in 1953. Born in Yanceyville, North Carolina, he batted left-handed and threw right-handed; he was liste ...

(1922–2019), American Major League Baseball player

Places

* Neal, Georgia, a community in the United States *

Neal, Illinois Neal is an unincorporated community in Cumberland County, Illinois Illinois ( ) is a state in the Midwestern United States. Its largest metropolitan areas include the Chicago metropolitan area, and the Metro East section, of Greater ...

, a community in the United States *

Neal, Kansas Neal is an unincorporated community in eastern Greenwood County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2020 census, the population of the community and nearby areas was 37. It is located approximately 10 miles east of the city of Eureka along U.S. ...

, a community in the United States * Neal, Michigan, a community in the United States * Neal, West Virginia, a community in the United States

Surname

Given name

Places

See also