Tracking Macneil and McNeill Family Migrations Through Historical Records

Tracking Macneil and McNeill Family Migrations Through Historical Records

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The Macneil (and McNeill) name has traveled far beyond the shores of Barra, Colonsay, and Gigha. Today, descendants can be found across North America, Australia, and beyond. But how did they get there—and how can we track those movements? Thanks to centuries of preserved records, we can piece together the migratory paths of our ancestors and understand the forces that shaped their journeys.

The Power of Paper Trails

From parish registers to ship manifests, historical documents give us glimpses into where our ancestors lived, when they moved, and sometimes even why. Baptismal records, censuses, and wills can confirm family connections across time. Immigration records—especially those from the 18th and 19th centuries—often show McNeils leaving Scotland or Ireland in search of land, opportunity, or religious freedom.

Scotland to Ireland, Then Onward

Many McNeils first left the western isles during the 1600s and 1700s as part of military, economic, or political upheaval. Some settled in Ulster during the Plantation period, and later generations migrated again—to Canada, the U.S., or Australia. These overlapping waves of movement are visible in layered records, where names, occupations, and hometowns reappear across oceans.

What to Look For in Your Own Research

If you’re just getting started tracing your Macneil lineage, focus on:

  • Census and land records in Scotland, Ireland, and early colonies
  • Passenger lists from major ports like Greenock, Liverpool, or Belfast
  • Church records from Presbyterian and Catholic congregations
  • Military service records, especially for Highland regiments

Start with what you know, work backwards, and be ready for spelling variations—Macneil, McNeil, McNeill, and even O'Neill in some cases.

The Journey Continues

Family migration is a story of resilience and reinvention. As Clan Macneil descendants trace their roots, they also map a shared legacy of movement, adaptation, and connection. Whether your family stayed close to the Hebrides or settled on the far side of the world, the records can help you uncover the chapters of that story.

🧭 Want to Dig Deeper? Tools for Tracing McNeill Migration

If you're ready to start your own journey into Macneil or McNeill family history, here are some trusted sites—both well-known and under-the-radar—to help:

  • ScotlandsPeople.gov.uk – Civil, church, census, and probate records from Scotland. Official, pay-per-record.
  • FamilySearch.org – Free global genealogy site with many searchable Scottish and Irish records.
  • SteveMorse.org – A powerful one-step search interface for ship passenger lists and other U.S. arrival data.
  • Ulster Historical Foundation – Specializes in tracing Ulster Scots and Irish Presbyterian ancestry.
  • Clericus Ulster Settlers Database – A niche gem documenting early Ulster settlers, especially useful for Plantation-period ancestors.

Pro Tip: Some databases require paid access or free registration, but many are viewable at public libraries or Family History Centers.

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The Plantation of Ulster and the McNeill Legacy

The Plantation of Ulster and the McNeill Legacy

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In the early 1600s, the British Crown launched the Plantation of Ulster—one of the most transformative episodes in Irish and Scottish history. Aimed at securing the region after Irish resistance collapsed, King James I moved to settle Ulster with loyal Protestant colonists from England and Scotland. Gaelic Irish lands were confiscated, and new British communities were established, radically altering Ulster’s cultural and political landscape. For Gaelic families like the McNeills, this marked a period of both upheaval and opportunity.

While the official plantation scheme favored English and Lowland Scots, not all settlers fit that mold. Some Highland Gaels—including McNeills—found their way to Ulster through earlier mercenary service, private arrangements like those of the MacDonnells of Antrim, or later migration waves driven by war, famine, or religious persecution. These arrivals often settled in Antrim and Londonderry, forming part of the emerging Ulster-Scots identity. For many Highlanders, Ulster offered something Scotland increasingly did not: land and survival.

From Highland Roots to Ulster Fields: Why the McNeills Migrated

This blending of people and traditions created a complex legacy. Gaelic surnames like McNeill began appearing alongside Irish O’Neills, and cultural lines blurred. A McNeill in Ulster might have spoken Gaelic or Scots, married into Irish or Scottish families, and practiced Catholicism or Presbyterianism, depending on where they settled. Over generations, English and Scots dialects replaced Gaelic, and new identities emerged—most notably the “Scotch-Irish” (Ulster Scots), whose descendants would later populate parts of North America.

For the Macneil clan, this chapter is particularly ironic: tradition holds that the clan’s earliest ancestors came from Ulster to Scotland. By the 17th century, the journey reversed—some McNeills moved back across the North Channel. This historical loop underscores how deeply connected Scottish and Irish lineages truly are. Understanding the Plantation helps explain why the McNeill name is found not only in the Hebrides, but across Northern Ireland—and far beyond.

Today, many Clan Macneil descendants can trace their roots to this pivotal era. Whether through land grants, military service, or sheer necessity, their ancestors helped shape a new Ulster, while preserving echoes of the Gaelic past. The Plantation may have changed the map, but it didn’t erase identity—it transformed it. And that legacy lives on in the families, cultures, and stories we carry forward today.

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The Scottish and Irish Migration Connection: How Clan Families Settled in New Lands

Migration has long been a defining aspect of Scottish and Irish history, and the clan families were no exception. Across centuries, waves of migration carried these families from their homelands to new regions, shaping the cultural identities of communities worldwide. Influenced by war, famine, British policies, and economic opportunities, these movements contributed to the spread of Scottish and Irish heritage across North America, Australia, and beyond.

Timeline of Migration

  1. Early Scottish and Irish Movement (Pre-1600s)
    • Before major conflicts and colonization, Scottish and Irish clans primarily migrated within the British Isles.
    • Many sought new lands within Scotland and Ireland due to clan disputes or shifting allegiances.
  2. Plantation of Ulster (1609–1690s)
    • Scottish Presbyterians were encouraged by the British Crown to settle in Northern Ireland, displacing native Irish populations.
    • Some McNeill families in Northern Ireland trace their lineage to this period, settling primarily in Antrim and Down.
  3. Jacobite Uprisings and Forced Migration (1715–1746)
    • The defeat of Scottish Highlanders in the Jacobite Rebellions led to mass displacement.
    • Many Highland Scots, including Macneils of Barra and McNeills of Gigha, were forced to flee to North America to escape persecution.
  4. Irish Famine and Economic Migration (1840s–1870s)
    • The Great Famine (1845–1852) devastated Ireland, prompting mass emigration to the United States, Canada, and Australia.
    • Irish McNeills and Ulster Scots took advantage of immigration programs and opportunities in cities and rural settlements.
  5. 20th Century Migration and the Scottish Diaspora
    • Economic hardship in Scotland and Ireland continued to push people abroad.
    • Scots-Irish communities became deeply rooted in American culture, particularly in Appalachia and the Southern United States.

How Conflicts and Policies Shaped Migration

  • The Highland Clearances (1750s–1860s): Landowners forcibly removed tenant farmers to make way for sheep farming, driving thousands of Scottish families to Canada, the U.S., and Australia. Many Macneils of Barra emigrated during this time.
  • Penal Laws and Religious Persecution: Catholic and Presbyterian Scots faced discrimination under British rule, prompting voluntary and forced migration.
  • The American Revolution (1775–1783) & Civil War (1861–1865): Scots-Irish immigrants played key roles in these conflicts, shaping their status in North America.
  • The Industrial Revolution (1800s–1900s): Economic shifts led to job opportunities in cities, attracting Scottish and Irish immigrants to manufacturing hubs.

Regional Identities and Genetic Connections

  • Appalachian Scots-Irish Influence: Many Scots-Irish settlers, including McNeills, became part of the Appalachian frontier, bringing their customs, music, and storytelling traditions.
  • Maritime Canada’s Scottish Settlers: Nova Scotia (“New Scotland”) saw a major influx of Macneils, particularly from Barra, preserving strong Gaelic traditions.
  • The Gigha McNeills and Highland Identity: The McNeills of Gigha are often categorized as Highlanders due to their Gaelic heritage and clan structure, but their coastal location near Kintyre also placed them in contact with Lowland influences. They were part of the Gaelic maritime culture that spanned from the western Highlands to Ulster. Their genetic history shows both Highland and Norse ancestry, reflecting centuries of interaction in the region.
  • DNA and Family Links: Genetic studies reveal strong connections between McNeill/Macneil lineages and broader Celtic ancestry, showing how migration patterns shaped genetic diversity.

Conclusion

The migration of clan families was shaped by a complex web of conflict, policy, and opportunity. From forced displacement to voluntary settlement, these movements left a lasting imprint on regions around the world. Understanding these migrations helps preserve the history of these families and their enduring cultural legacies.

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Echoes of the Clan: Louise McNeill Pease – West Virginia’s Poet Laureate and the Voice of Appalachia

Louise McNeill Pease (1911–1993) was a distinguished Appalachian poet, historian, and educator from West Virginia. Born on January 9, 1911, in Buckeye, Pocahontas County, she grew up on a family farm established in 1769. Her father, G.D. McNeill, was also a writer, authoring The Last Forest, which chronicled the decline of wilderness in Pocahontas County. Influenced by her father’s love of storytelling and history, McNeill developed an early passion for poetry and began writing at the age of 16.

A Pioneering Literary Figure in Appalachia

McNeill was a trailblazer in Appalachian literature, bringing the voices of her people to the forefront. She infused her work with the dialects, rhythms, and landscapes of West Virginia, making her poetry an authentic reflection of life in the region. Her collections, such as Mountain White (1931), Gauley Mountain (1939), and Paradox Hill (1972), weave a narrative of tradition and change, chronicling the Appalachian experience with precision and deep emotion.

Her most renowned work, Gauley Mountain, is a poetic history of West Virginia that intertwines personal memories with larger historical themes. It remains a defining text in Appalachian studies, celebrated for its lyrical storytelling and historical depth. Her memoir, The Milkweed Ladies (1988), provides a deeply personal and vivid portrayal of Appalachian farm life, capturing the intersection of personal experience and broader historical shifts.

A Historian of West Virginia’s Cultural and Environmental Shifts

McNeill was not just a poet; she was a historian who documented the profound transformations of West Virginia. She pursued higher education at Concord College (now Concord University), earning a bachelor's degree in English in 1936. She furthered her studies with a master’s degree from Miami University in Ohio in 1938. In 1939, she married Roger Pease and continued her academic journey, eventually earning a doctorate in history from West Virginia University in 1959.

Her teaching career spanned over three decades, during which she taught English and history at various institutions, including rural one-room schools in West Virginia, Potomac State College, Fairmont State College, and West Virginia University. McNeill’s writing serves as a historical record, capturing the displacement of communities, the environmental consequences of coal mining, and the loss of traditional ways of life. Through her work, she preserved the stories of those who might have otherwise been forgotten, ensuring that the struggles and triumphs of Appalachia remained in the public consciousness.

A Poet Who Captured the Spirit of the People and the Land

McNeill’s poetry is deeply rooted in the land and people of Appalachia. She wrote of coal miners, farmers, mothers, and laborers, elevating their stories through her art. Her work is rich with themes of nature, family, and survival—expressing both the harsh realities and the enduring strength of Appalachian culture.

Unlike many literary figures of her time, McNeill did not romanticize rural life. Instead, she presented it as it was—filled with both breathtaking beauty and relentless struggle. Her ability to balance these truths made her one of the most authentic voices in Appalachian literature.

A Trailblazer in a Male-Dominated Literary World

As a woman in the early-to-mid 20th century, McNeill carved out a space for herself in a literary world dominated by men. She was a scholar, educator, and poet who defied expectations and left an enduring mark on the literary landscape.

In 1979, Governor Jay Rockefeller appointed her as West Virginia’s poet laureate, a position she held until her death in 1993. Her appointment was a groundbreaking achievement, solidifying her influence in both literary and academic circles. She used this platform to champion Appalachian literature and advocate for the recognition of voices from the region.

Throughout her career, McNeill received numerous accolades, including the Appalachian Gold Medallion in 1988 and honorary degrees from Fairmont State College and West Virginia University. Her contributions to literature and education have left an indelible mark on Appalachian cultural heritage.

The Legacy of Louise McNeill Pease

Louise McNeill Pease remains a towering figure in Appalachian literature, her legacy woven into the very fabric of West Virginia’s cultural history. Her poetry and prose continue to be studied, celebrated, and admired for their depth, authenticity, and historical significance.

Through her words, she gave voice to the people of Appalachia, preserved the history of a rapidly changing region, and broke barriers as a woman in literature. Her influence endures, reminding us that poetry is not just an art form—it is a means of recording, reflecting, and reshaping the world around us.

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Reaching Out to Our Scottish Community

During this unprecedented time, we are very anxious of what is happening across the globe. With Scottish events being heavily impacted by postponements and cancellations worldwide, members of our Scottish community organisations cannot get out to attend and celebrate Scotland as we have all enjoyed in the past.

Please feel free to download the latest issue of the Scottish Banner, which I hope may play a small role in helping to keep members feeling connected to Scotland in this time of social distancing.

If your group has any general news or is doing anything specifically during this extraordinary time, please share it with us so we can share with our readers and followers as now more than ever is the time the Scottish community needs to stand together and support one another. We host the world’s leading international Scottish events listing and our site is being updated daily, if your group has an event change please let us know so the wider Scottish community can keep up to date.

I look forward to when our community can get back to normal and celebrate our great culture, in the meantime the Scottish Banner stands ready in any way we can to assist and support Scottish community organisations both now and in the future.

Best wishes,

Sean Cairney, The Scottish Banner

E: info@scottishbanner.com

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Clan Macneil Gathering – Save the Date!

Thig aon thig a h-uile cĂ il (Come one Come all) All Macneils are welcome to join us for the Clan Gathering on the Isle of Barra! The Gathering will be August 9th and 10th, 2021 in Castlebay, Scotland!  In conjunction with this special event we will also be doing a tour of Scotland with a special stop in Castlebay for the Gathering.  Itinerary and details to be released very soon.

Our trip will take us from Edinburgh to the Orkneys. Then we travel from the Orkneys to Lewis and Harris.  From there we head to Barra eventually returning to Edinburgh for a performance of the Military Tattoo.  There will be many stops along the way as we explore historic sites, marvel at magnificent landscapes, and take in the rich culture that is our heritage.

2021 will be a year of celebration for the Clan Macneil Association of America as we celebrate our first 100 years together.  We hope that many of you can make the trip to the Isle of Barra for this wonderful occasion.  We will also be celebrating at many of the games in the U.S. all next year so if you can’t see us in Scotland visit us at a highland games in the States.

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What is in a Name

"What’s in a name, a rose by any other name, a rose is a rose;" pick your clichĂ©, but in the case of MacNeil or McNeill there is more than a wee bit of difference and it may be comparing a rose to a carnation. While there are a great number of variations, the two most common spellings are MacNeil and McNeill and while not always true, the spelling does tend to give away quite a bit of information about what branch of the clan someone came from, where their ancestors lived in Scotland and where their ancestors immigrated and even to some extent when their ancestors immigrated.
Where does the name Neil come from? We may never know for sure, but legend holds that both branches are descendants from King Nail of the nine hostages, a King of Ireland sometime between the 4th to the mid-6th century. On the surface it makes sense given the proximity of Ireland to both Barra and Kintyre Scotland.

Generally, people with the surname McNeill have roots in the Colonsay/Gigha branch of the clan. This variation of the spelling is traced back to the McNeills that controlled Castle Sween in Knapdale in Argyll for the Lord of the Isles. People with the surname MacNeil had ancestors that inhabited the Outer Hebrides, most notably the island of Barra. This spelling of the name traces back through keepers of Kisimul Castle on Barra. Legend has MacNeils there from the 11th century.

Does the following hold true for every MacNeil or McNeill? Of course not, but it is a start and does hold true for a great deal of each spelling group, and it is a start. Add to this the time frame that your ancestors left Scotland and you get closer to which branch your ancestors came from.

The first real immigration of Scots to the new world occurred in 1Scottish Colonies in North America739 and was said to be led by Neil McNeill who lived on the island of Gigha. There were 350 in this group. Several of this group were members of his extended family with the surname McNeill. Once these Scottish families established themselves just north of present day Fayetteville North Carolina, they were quite active in convincing their kinsmen to follow them over. There were successive waves of Scots from the Argyll region right up just prior to the Revolution. You can be assured there were McNeills in each wave. So, if your ancestors came before 1770 or so and landed in North or South Carolina, then it is a good bet your ancestors are Colonsay/Gigha McNeills. Later immigrations went to New Zealand and Australia, being a safer bet than going to the American colonies at war. After the American Revolution, several more waves of Scots from Colonsay and the Kintyre region went to America, unfortunately sometimes by force. North Carolina continued to be their favorite destination. These McNeills spread though out the Southeast US.

Where does this leave the Barra MacNeils? Maybe Shakespeare had it wrong, there is a “a story of more woe than this of Juliet and her Romeo.” In 1838 Roderick MacNeil, head of the Barra MacNeils, who had squandered the family fortune, sold the island to Colonel Gordon of Cluny. Colonel Gordon was a tailor-made villain. In addition to Barra he bought several other islands in the Hebrides, which he forcibly cleared of the natives. In 1851, Gordon tricked 1500 inhabitants of Barra (a high number of which were MacNiel families) to show up for a meeting, where legend has it, they were overpowered, put aboard waiting ships and sent to Nova Scotia and Quebec. Many had only the clothes on their back and almost nothing in the way of money. The few that failed to show for the “meeting”, found their home burned and were removed on later ships. Some “passengers” were even put in irons. Contemporary reports in Quebec describe the new arrivals chances of surviving the winter as “grim.” Grim as it was, survive they did and went on to populate Canada and the Northern US all the way to the west coast. So, if your ancestors came through Canada mainly Nova Scotia and Quebec, around 1850’s chances are they are Barra McNeils.

What is in a name? In our case a lot of rich history of some very brave people who overcame some very great obstacles. We their descendants should be proud.

Needham Bass

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A Brief History of the Clan Macneil

Clan MacNeil claim descent from Niall, a descendant of Aodh O'Neil, twentieth in descent from Niall of the Nine Hostages the famous founder of the U'Neill dynasty of High Kings of Ireland. Niall established himself on Barra in 1049 and is considered the first chief of the Clan MacNeil.

The fifth chief, Neil MacNeil, was described as a Prince at a Council of the Isles in 1252 and aided in defeating the Norse at the battle of Largs in 1263. His son, the sixth chief, Neil Og MacNeil fought with Robert the Bruce at Bannockburn and was rewarded with lands in Kintyre.

Another branch of the MacNeils established themselves on the island of Gigha under Torquil MacNeil in 1427. After 1493 the two branches of MacNeils took opposite sides in the long running feud between the MacDonalds of Islay and the MacLeans of Duart, Barra MacNeils sided with the MacLeans while the Gigha MacNeils fought on the side of the Clan Donald.

The MacNeils were famous for their sailors and quite often for their lawlessness on the high seas. The fifteenth chief of Barra, Ruari MacNeil, was known as a "hereditary outlaw" and was dubbed "Ruari the

turbulent". He has also been described as the last of the Vikings, raiding ships of all sorts from his island fortress of Kisimul Castle. Ruari eventually had a writ issued against him by the King, was captured by his own nephews and taken in chains to Edinburgh in 1610. His son, Neil Og then became chief.

Neil Og's grandson, Roderick Dhu (the Black), led his fellow clansman at Killiecrankie fighting staunchly for the Jacobite cause. He rallied the Clan MacNeil once more to the aid of the "Old Pretender" in the Rising of 1715.

The 21st chief, General Roderick MacNeil was in economic ruin and had to sell the Island of Barra in 1838. Roderick had no children of his own and the chiefship then passed to a cousin whose line had emigrated to the New World.

In 1937 Kisimul castle and most of the Island of Barra were brought back into the family when Robert L. MacNeill, a descendant of the 22nd chief, returned from the United States, purchased most of Barra and spent his life restoring Kisimul Castle. His son, the 46th chief, is a law Professor and divides his time between Scotland and the United States.

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