Neil is a masculine name of Gaelic and Irish origin. The name is an

anglicisation Anglicisation is the process by which a place or person becomes influenced by English culture or British culture, or a process of cultural and/or linguistic change in which something non-English becomes English. It can also refer to the influen ...

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

eponym An eponym is a person, a place, or a thing after whom or which someone or something is, or is believed to be, named. The adjectives which are derived from the word eponym include ''eponymous'' and ''eponymic''. Usage of the word The term ''epon ...

ous ancestor of the

Uí Néill The Uí Néill (Irish pronunciation: ; meaning "descendants of Niall") are Irish dynasties who claim descent from Niall Noígíallach (Niall of the Nine Hostages), a historical King of Tara who died c. 405. They are generally divided into the ...

and MacNeil kindred. Most authorities cite the meaning of Neil in the context of a surname as meaning "champion".

Origins

The Gaelic name was adopted by the Vikings and taken to Iceland as ''Njáll'' (see

Nigel Nigel ( ) is an English masculine given name. The English ''Nigel'' is commonly found in records dating from the Middle Ages; however, it was not used much before being revived by 19th-century antiquarians. For instance, Walter Scott published ...

). From Iceland it went via Norway, Denmark, and Normandy to England. The name also entered

Northern England Northern England, also known as the North of England, the North Country, or simply the North, is the northern area of England. It broadly corresponds to the former borders of Angle Northumbria, the Anglo-Scandinavian Kingdom of Jorvik, and the ...

and

Yorkshire Yorkshire ( ; abbreviated Yorks), formally known as the County of York, is a Historic counties of England, historic county in northern England and by far the largest in the United Kingdom. Because of its large area in comparison with other Eng ...

directly from Ireland, and from Norwegian settlers. ''Neal'' or ''Neall'' is the Middle English form of ''Nigel''. As a first name, during the

Middle Ages In the history of Europe, the Middle Ages or medieval period lasted approximately from the late 5th to the late 15th centuries, similar to the post-classical period of global history. It began with the fall of the Western Roman Empire a ...

, the Gaelic name of Irish origins was popular in Ireland and later Scotland. During the 20th century ''Neil'' began to be used in England and North America, and grew in popularity throughout the

English-speaking world Speakers of English are also known as Anglophones, and the countries where English is natively spoken by the majority of the population are termed the '' Anglosphere''. Over two billion people speak English , making English the largest languag ...

; however, in England, it has recently been eclipsed by the Gaelic form. The surname ''Neil'' is a reduced form of the surname ''

McNeil McNeil may refer to: * McNeil, Arkansas * McNeil, Caldwell County, Texas * McNeil, Travis County, Texas * McNeil Consumer Healthcare, a division of Johnson & Johnson, distributor of Tylenol * McNeil High School, high school in Austin, Texas * ...

'' (from the Gaelic ''Mac Néill'', "son of ''Niall''"), or variant form the surname of

Neill Neill is an Irish surname, and may refer to * A. S. Neill (1883-1973), British educator and author * Alec Neill (b.1950), New Zealand politician * Ben Neill (b.1957), American composer * Bob Neill (b.1952), British politician * Bud Neill (1911-197 ...

(from the Irish ''Ó Néill'' and Mac Néill or the Scottish Gaelic ''Mac Néill'', meaning "descendant of ''Niall''" and "son of ''Niall''". The name passed from Ireland to Scotland where it had the ''Mc/Mac'' prefix a prefix that already existed in the Irish surname such as Lóegaire mac Néill. Some Scottish McNeill's returned to Ireland in the 14th century and are associated with ''MacNeill'', ''MacGreal'', ''MacReill'', and ''Mag Reil'' surnames. The Manx version of the name is ''Kneal'' (1598), ''Kneale'' (1655), or ''Kneel'' (1636). It evolved from McNelle (1408) and MacNeyll (1430) becoming Kneal by 1598.A W Moore, Manx Names, London 1903

Variants

Variants of the given name include: ''Neale'' and ''Neal''. The table below sets out the various surnames derived from ''Niall and Nial''

Notable people with the given name

* Neil Abercrombie (born 1938), former Governor of Hawaii and U.S. Representative *

Neil Anderson (cricketer) Neil Anderson (born 27 February 1979) is an Irish cricketer. He is a right-handed batsman and a left-arm spin bowler. He played two matches for Ireland in 1998, against MCC and Bangladesh Bangladesh (}, ), officially the People's Repu ...

(born 1979), Irish cricketer, right-handed batsman and a left-arm spin bowler *

Neil Armstrong (disambiguation) Neil Armstrong (1930–2012) was an American astronaut and the first person to walk on the Moon. Neil Armstrong may also refer to: * RV ''Neil Armstrong'' (AGOR-27), a class of oceanographic research ship * Neil J. Armstrong (1920–1994), Canad ...

, several people * Neil Bogart (1943–1982), American music executive * Neil Breen, American filmmaker and actor * Neil Brewer (born 1954), English musician and singer-songwriter * Neil Buchanan (born 1961), English television presenter, artist and musician *

Neil Carmichael, Baron Carmichael of Kelvingrove Neil George Carmichael, Baron Carmichael of Kelvingrove (10 October 1921 – 19 July 2001) was a Scottish politician. He was a Labour Member of Parliament (MP) in Glasgow from 1962 to 1983. Early life Carmichael was the son of James Carmicha ...

(1921–2001), British Labour Party politician, MP in Glasgow 1962–1983 * Neil Carmichael (English politician) (born 1961), English businessman and academic, MP for Stroud 2010–2017 *

Neil Cicierega Neil Stephen Cicierega ( ; born August 23, 1986) is an American comedian, actor, filmmaker, singer, YouTuber, musician, songwriter, puppeteer, artist, and animator. He is known as the creator of a genre of Flash animation he termed "Animutation ...

(born 1986), American artist and Internet personality * Neil Clarke (disambiguation), several people, including those named Neil Clark * Neil Clark Warren (born 1934), American psychologist and theologian * Neil Codling (born 1973), English musician, member of the band Suede * Neil Cole (disambiguation), several people *

Neil Diamond Neil Leslie Diamond (born January 24, 1941) is an American singer-songwriter. He has sold more than 130 million records worldwide, making him one of the best-selling musicians of all time. He has had ten No. 1 singles on the Hot 100 and Adul ...

(born 1941), American singer-songwriter, musician, and actor *

Neil Farrell Jr. Neil Farrell Jr. (born September 9, 1998) is an American football defensive tackle for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at LSU Tigers football, LSU and was drafted by the Las Vegas Raiders i ...

(born 1998), American football player * Neil Fairbrother (born 1963), English cricketer *

Neil Gaiman Neil Richard MacKinnon GaimanBorn as Neil Richard Gaiman, with "MacKinnon" added on the occasion of his marriage to Amanda Palmer. ; ( Neil Richard Gaiman; born 10 November 1960) is an English author of short fiction, novels, comic books, gr ...

(born 1960), English author *

Neil Gorsuch Neil McGill Gorsuch ( ; born August 29, 1967) is an American lawyer and judge who serves as an associate justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. He was nominated by President Donald Trump on January 31, 2017, and has served since ...

(born 1967), Associate justice of the Supreme Court of the United States * Neil Hannon (born 1970), Northern Irish singer-songwriter and musician * Neale Hanvey (born 1964), Scottish politician * Neil Patrick Harris (born 1973), American actor *

Neil Harrison (disambiguation) Neil Harrison is a musician and dramatist. Neil Harrison may also refer to: * Neil Harrison (umpire) *Neil Harrison (curler) Neil Gordon "Harry" Harrison (January 23, 1949 – February 24, 2014) was a Canadian curler from Newmarket, Ontario. ...

, several people * Neil Innes (1944–2019), English writer, comedian and musician, member of the Rutles, the Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band * Neil Jenkins (disambiguation), several people * Neil Jordan (born 1950), Irish film maker * Neil Kenlock (born 1950), Jamaican-born photographer * Neil Kinnock (born 1942), British politician, and former leader of the Labour Party * Neil Lennon (born 1971), Northern Irish football coach and former player *

Neil Lyndon Neil Alexander Lyndon (born Neil Alexander Barnacle; 12 September 1946) is a British journalist and writer. He has written for ''The Sunday Times'', ''The Times'', ''The Independent'', the ''Evening Standard'' the ''Daily Mail'' and the ''Tele ...

(born 1946), British journalist and author * Neil MacGregor (born 1946), British art historian *

Neil Martin (disambiguation) Neil Martin Neil Martin (born 20 October 1940) is a Scottish former football player, who scored 100 league goals in both Scotland and England and won three full international caps for Scotland in the 1960s and 1970s. Known for his strength, po ...

, several people *

Neil McGregor (disambiguation) Neil McGregor may refer to * Neil McGregor, born 1985, Scottish footballer * Neil McGregor (film director), Australian film director * Neil McGregor (rugby union), 1901–1973, New Zealand rugby player See also * Neil MacGregor, (born 1946), Briti ...

, several people *

Neil McVicar (politician) Neil McVicar was a Canadian politician from the Provinces and territories of Canada, province of Saskatchewan. He represented Rosetown (provincial electoral district), Rosetown as a Saskatchewan Liberal Party, Liberal on the Legislative Assembly ...

, Canadian politician * Neil Nitin Mukesh (born 1982), Indian actor *

Neil O'Brien (disambiguation) Neil O'Brien (born 1978) is the Member of Parliament for Harborough. Neil O'Brien may also refer to: * Neil O'Brien (cricketer) (born 1945), English cricketer * Neil O'Brien (quizmaster) (1934–2016), Indian quiz master and Member of Parliament * ...

, several people *

Neil Patel (designer) Neil Patel is an American designer for film and television, as well as for opera and the theater. For his work in theater he has twice been honored with the Obie Award for "sustained excellence". Career Neil Patel is a graduate of Yale College ...

, Welsh-American production designer *

Neil Patel (political advisor) Neil Patel () (born 1970) is a British-American lawyer, hedge fund manager, conservative political advisor, and publisher. He is the co-founder and publisher of ''The Daily Caller''. Early life and education Patel was born in Scotland and moved ...

, American publisher and co-founder of ''The Daily Caller'' * Neil Peart (1952–2020), Canadian drummer and lyricist of the rock band Rush * Neil Perry (born 1957), Australian chef *

Neil Perry (cricketer) Neil James Perry (born 27 May 1958) is a former English cricketer. Perry was a right-handed batsman who bowled slow left-arm orthodox. He was born at Sutton, Surrey. Perry made his first-class debut for Glamorgan in 1979 against the touring ...

(born 1958), English cricketer * Neil Prakash (born 1991), Australian terrorist * Neil Reid (disambiguation), several people * Neil Sedaka (born 1939), American musician * Neil Simon (1927–2018), American playwright * Neil Tennant (born 1954), British singer-songwriter of Pet Shop Boys * Neil Turk (born 1987), English cricketer * Neil deGrasse Tyson (born 1958), American astrophysicist, author and science communicator *

Neil Wagner Neil Wagner (born 13 March 1986) is a South African-born New Zealand Test cricketer who plays for New Zealand and Northern Districts cricket teams. He played for Northerns until 2007/08 and Otago between 2008 and 2018. Early career Wagner ...

(born 1986), South African-born New Zealand cricketer * Neil Walker (disambiguation), several people *

Neil Young (disambiguation) Neil Young (born 1945) is a Canadian singer/song writer and guitarist Neil Young may also refer to: * Neil Young (album), ''Neil Young'' (album), the debut album of Neil Young from 1969 * Neil Young (politician) (1936–2015), former Canadian polit ...

, several people

People with the surname

* Alex Neil (politician) (born 1951), Scottish politician * Alexandra Neil (born 1955), American actress * Andrew Neil (born 1949), Scottish journalist and broadcaster *

Chris Neil Chris Neil (born June 18, 1979) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey right winger. Neil was originally drafted in the sixth round, 161st overall, in the 1998 NHL Entry Draft by the Ottawa Senators, and played his entire NHL career with ...

(born 1979), Canadian professional ice hockey player *

Chris Neal (disambiguation) Chris or Christopher Neal, Neil, or Neill may refer to: Sport * Chris Neal (footballer, born 1947), English winger who played for Darlington *Chris Neil (born 1979), Canadian ice hockey player *Chris Neal (born 1985), English footballer who plays f ...

(and variants), several people * Dan Neil (American football) (born 1973), American football player * Dan Neil (journalist) (born 1960), automobile columnist for the ''Los Angeles Times'' * Fred Neil (1936–2001), American singer and songwriter *

María Fernanda Neil María Fernanda Neil (born October 19, 1982) better known as Fernanda Neil is an Argentine actress, singer and model. As of 2013, she is no longer a public figure. Career Neil made her Argentine television debut on Telefe's production ''Chiq ...

(born 1982), Argentine actress and model * Sam Neill (born 1947), New Zealand actor * Sara Neil (born 1960), Canadian cyclist *

Tom Neil Thomas Francis "Ginger" Neil, (14 July 1920 – 11 July 2018) was a British aviator, fighter pilot and flying ace in the Royal Air Force. Neil flew during the Battle of Britain, and shot down 14 enemy aircraft during the Second World War. Early ...

(1920–2018), British fighter pilot *

Vince Neil Vincent Neil Wharton (born February 8, 1961), best known by the stage name Vince Neil, is an American musician. He is the lead vocalist and occasional rhythm guitarist of heavy metal band Mötley Crüe, which he fronted from their 1981 forma ...

(born 1961), singer for American metal band Mötley Crüe

Fictional characters

*Neil "The Good Looking", from the Canadian animated series '' Class of the Titans'' *Neil the Boxtank engine, from '' The Railway Series'' books by Rev. W.V. Awdry * Neil Goldman, from the ''Family Guy'' animated comedy series *Neil Pye, from the British TV sitcom '' The Young Ones'' * Neil, character from the game

Coffee Talk Coffee Talk may refer to: * Coffee Talk (Saturday Night Live) "Coffee Talk" is a series of sketches performed by Mike Myers on the sketch comedy show ''Saturday Night Live''. It ran from October 12, 1991, until October 15, 1994, although Myers ( ...

References

{{given name, type=both English masculine given names Gaelic-language surnames Irish masculine given names Scottish masculine given names