Neal ( Neil) 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 Adam "Nealo" Neal (born 21 May 1990) is a former English professional rugby league footballer who last played for Oldham ( Heritage № 1338) in Betfred League 1. Neal's position of choice is as a . Background Neal was born in Irlam, near Sal ...

(born 1990), English rugby league player * Alice B. Neal (1828–1863), American writer * Arthur Neal (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 le ...

(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) (born 1978), American internet personality *

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

(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, and ...

(1678–1743), British historian * David Dalhoff Neal (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 t ...

(born 1976), American actress and political candidate * Dylan Neal (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 (born 2000), American football player * Frederick "Curly" Neal (1942–2020), American basketball player * Gary Neal (born 1984), American basketball player * Jackie Neal (1967–2005), American blues singer * James Neal (disambiguation) * Jeff Neal (born 1969), American drummer * John Neal (disambiguation) * Joseph Neal (1950–2017), American politician * Keanu Neal (born 1995), American football player * Kenny Neal (born 1957), American blues musician * Larry Neal (1937–1981), American author * Lorenzo Neal (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 (1926–2010), Academy Award-winning American actress * Patricia Neal (known as Fannie Flagg) (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 ...

(born 1951), English footballer * Philip Neal, New York City Ballet principal dancer * Raful Neal (1936–2004), American blues singer * Rajion Neal (born 1992), American football player * Richard Neal (born 1949), Democratic Representative representing Massachusetts' 2nd congressional district *

Ryan Neal Ryan Christopher Neal (born December 24, 1995) is an American football strong safety for the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Southern Illinois. College career Neal played four seasons at Sou ...

(born 1995), American football player * Scott Neal (born 1978), British actor *

Shay Neal Shay Neal (born 4 June 1990) is a New Zealand field hockey player. He represented his country at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, where the men's team came seventh. His sister Brooke Brooke may refer to: People * Brooke (given n ...

(born 1990), New Zealand field hockey player *

Siran Neal Siran De'Vonte' Neal (born August 4, 1994) is an American football cornerback for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Jacksonville State and was drafted by the Bills in the fifth round of the 2 ...

(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 Democratic politician who served ten terms in the U.S. House of Representatives (1975–1995). Born in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Neal moved to California, graduated ...

(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 c ...

, 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 (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. Ard ...

(born 1972), English footballer and manager of AFC Wimbledon * Neal Baer (born 1955), American pediatrician and television writer and producer * Neal Boortz (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 N ...

(born 1973), American writer, stand-up comedian, actor, director and producer * Neal Carter (1902–1978), Canadian mountaineer * Neal Casal (1968–2019), American guitarist, singer, songwriter and photographer * Neal Cassady (1926–1968), American beatnik who was the basis for Jack Kerouac'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", "hon ...

(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 (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 Neal Nelson is a basketball, tennis, and golf coach, as well as an associate professor at the University of Wisconsin–Waukesha. He is most well known for his basketball coaching accomplishments, such as a career at UW-Waukesha with over 500 ...

, 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 P ...

(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", "hon ...

(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 afte ...

(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 Neal is an unincorporated community in Pike County, in the U.S. state of Georgia Georgia most commonly refers to: * Georgia (country), a country in the Caucasus region of Eurasia * Georgia (U.S. state), a state in the Southeast United States Ge ...

, a community in the United States * Neal, Illinois, 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 Neal is an unincorporated community located in Wayne County, West Virginia West Virginia is a state in the Appalachian, Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern regions of the United States.The Census Bureau and the Association of American Geogra ...

, a community in the United States

Surname

Given name

Places

See also