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

Niall Niall is a male given name of Irish origin. The original meaning of the name is unknown, but popular modern sources have suggested that it means "champion" (derived from the Old Irish word ''niadh''),. According to John Ryan, Professor of Early an ...

'' 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 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 t ...

and

MacNeil MacNeil can have a number of different meanings and spellings: Clan MacNeil is a Scottish clan. Notable people *Al MacNeil (born 1935), Canadian hockey player *Angus MacNeil (born 1970), Scottish politician * Archibald Macneil of Colonsay (fl. ...

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 language, 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, Walte ...

). 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 county in northern England and by far the largest in the United Kingdom. Because of its large area in comparison with other English counties, functions have ...

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 ...

, 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 langua ...

; however, in England, it has recently been eclipsed by the Gaelic form. The surname ''Neil'' is a reduced form of the surname '' McNeil'' (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 Lóegaire ('' floruit'' fifth century) (reigned 428–458 AD, according to the Annals of the Four Masters of the Kingdom of Ireland)(died c. 462), also Lóeguire, is said to have been a son of Niall of the Nine Hostages. The Irish annals and king ...

. 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 Neil Abercrombie (born June 26, 1938) is an American politician who served as the seventh governor of Hawaii from 2010 to 2014. He is a member of the Democratic Party. Born in Buffalo, New York, Abercrombie is a graduate of Union College and th ...

(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. He also played one List A match for Northern Ireland a ...

(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 Neil E. Bogart (born Neil Scott Bogatz, February 3, 1943 – May 8, 1982) was an American record executive. He was the founder of Casablanca Records, which later became Casablanca Record and Filmworks. Life and career Born Neil Scott Bogatz in t ...

(1943–1982), American music executive *

Neil Breen Neil Breen (born November 23, 1958) is an American filmmaker and actor. Since 2005, he has written, directed, independently produced, and starred in five films. Breen's films have garnered a cult following for their low-budget production value ...

, American filmmaker and actor *

Neil Brewer Neil Brewer (born July 15, 1954) is a British musician, who is best known for being a member of the 1970s rock band Druid and for presenting the last four series of '' Rosie and Jim''. Brewer played the role of a musical narrowboat owner, who ...

(born 1954), English musician and singer-songwriter *

Neil Buchanan Neil Buchanan (born 11 October 1956) is an English artist, photographer, and musician, best known for his work on British children's television. During his tenure as a children's television presenter, he hosted the CITV programme ''Art Attack'' ...

(born 1961), English television presenter, artist and musician * Neil Carmichael, Baron Carmichael of Kelvingrove (1921–2001), British Labour Party politician, MP in Glasgow 1962–1983 *

Neil Carmichael (English politician) William Neil Carmichael (born 15 April 1961 in Hexham) is an English politician, and former Conservative Party Member of Parliament (MP) for Stroud from 2010 until 2017. In April 2019, Carmichael announced he had left the Conservatives. He ...

(born 1961), English businessman and academic, MP for Stroud 2010–2017 * Neil Cicierega (born 1986), American artist and Internet personality *

Neil Clarke (disambiguation) Neil Clarke or Clark may refer to: * Neil Clarke (soccer), Scottish-American soccer player *Neil Clarke (editor) (born 1966), American editor * Neil Clarke (Australian footballer) (1957–2003), Australian rules footballer * Neil Clark (musician) ( ...

, several people, including those named Neil Clark *

Neil Clark Warren Neil Clark Warren (born September 18, 1934) is an American clinical psychologist, Christian theologian, seminary professor and co-founder of the online relationship sites eHarmony and Compatible Partners. In 1995, Warren and his son-in-law, ...

(born 1934), American psychologist and theologian *

Neil Codling Neil John Codling (born 5 December 1973) is an English musician and songwriter, best known as the keyboardist, rhythm guitarist, backing vocalist and co-songwriter for the alternative rock band Suede. Early life Neil Codling was raised in St ...

(born 1973), English musician, member of the band Suede *

Neil Cole (disambiguation) Neil Cole is an actor and presenter. Neil Cole may also refer to: * Neil Cole (politician) *Neil Cole (racing driver) * Neil Cole (firefighter) in 2013 New Year Honours See also *Neil Coles, golfer *Cole (surname) Cole is a surname of Englan ...

, several people * Neil Diamond (born 1941), American singer-songwriter, musician, and actor * Neil Farrell Jr. (born 1998), American football player *

Neil Fairbrother Neil Fairbrother (born Neil Harvey Fairbrother; 9 September 1963) is an English former cricketer who played 75 One Day International matches and 10 Test matches as a batsman for England. Fairbrother, named by his mother after her favourite playe ...

(born 1963), English cricketer * Neil Gaiman (born 1960), English author * Neil Gorsuch (born 1967), Associate justice of the Supreme Court of the United States *

Neil Hannon Edward Neil Anthony Hannon (born 7 November 1970) is a Northern Irish singer and songwriter. He is the creator and front man of the chamber pop group The Divine Comedy, and is the band's sole constant member. Hannon wrote the theme tunes for ...

(born 1970), Northern Irish singer-songwriter and musician *

Neale Hanvey James Neale Hanvey (born 28 December 1964) is a Scottish politician serving as the Leader of the Alba Party in the House of Commons since 2021, and the Member of Parliament (MP) for Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath since 2019. Formerly a member ...

(born 1964), Scottish politician *

Neil Patrick Harris Neil Patrick Harris (born June 15, 1973) is an American actor, singer, writer, producer, and television host. Primarily known for his comedic television roles and dramatic and musical stage roles, he has received multiple accolades throughout ...

(born 1973), American actor * Neil Harrison (disambiguation), several people *

Neil Innes Neil James Innes (; 9 December 1944 – 29 December 2019) was an English writer, comedian and musician. He first came to prominence in the pioneering comedy rock group Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band and later became a frequent collaborator with the M ...

(1944–2019), English writer, comedian and musician, member of the Rutles, the Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band * Neil Jenkins (disambiguation), several people *

Neil Jordan Neil Patrick Jordan (born 25 February 1950) is an Irish film director, screenwriter, novelist and short-story writer. His first book, ''Night in Tunisia (short story collection), Night in Tunisia'', won a Somerset Maugham Award and the Guardian ...

(born 1950), Irish film maker *

Neil Kenlock Neil Emile Elias Kenlock (born 1950) is a Jamaican-born photographer and media professional who has lived in London since the 1960s. During the 1960s and 1970s, Kenlock was the official photographer of the British Black Panthers, and he has be ...

(born 1950), Jamaican-born photographer *

Neil Kinnock Neil Gordon Kinnock, Baron Kinnock (born 28 March 1942) is a British former politician. As a member of the Labour Party, he served as a Member of Parliament from 1970 until 1995, first for Bedwellty and then for Islwyn. He was the Leader of ...

(born 1942), British politician, and former leader of the Labour Party *

Neil Lennon Neil Francis Lennon (born 25 June 1971) is a Northern Irish football coach and former player. During his playing career he represented English clubs Manchester City, Crewe Alexandra and Leicester City. Lennon moved to Celtic in 2000, where he ...

(born 1971), Northern Irish football coach and former player * Neil Lyndon (born 1946), British journalist and author *

Neil MacGregor Robert Neil MacGregor (born 16 June 1946) is a British art historian and former museum director. He was editor of the ''Burlington Magazine'' from 1981 to 1987, then Director of the National Gallery, London, from 1987 to 2002, Director of th ...

(born 1946), British art historian * Neil Martin (disambiguation), several people * Neil McGregor (disambiguation), several people * Neil McVicar (politician), Canadian politician *

Neil Nitin Mukesh Neil Nitin Mukesh Chand Mathur (born 15 January 1982) is an Indian actor, producer and writer who mainly works in Bollywood films . Born to singer Nitin Mukesh and grandson of Mukesh, he debuted as a child artist in '' Vijay'' (1988) and ''Jais ...

(born 1982), Indian actor * Neil O'Brien (disambiguation), several people * Neil Patel (designer), Welsh-American production designer * Neil Patel (political advisor), American publisher and co-founder of ''The Daily Caller'' *

Neil Peart Neil Ellwood Peart OC (; September 12, 1952 – January 7, 2020) was a Canadian-American musician, best known as the drummer and primary lyricist of the rock band Rush. Peart earned numerous awards for his musical performances, including an ...

(1952–2020), Canadian drummer and lyricist of the rock band Rush * Neil Perry (born 1957), Australian chef * Neil Perry (cricketer) (born 1958), English cricketer *

Neil Prakash Neil Christopher Prakash (born 7 May 1991), known as Abu Khaled al-Cambodi ( ar, أبو خالد الكمبودي), is a former member of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, Islamic State group, whose Australian citizenship was revoked in Dec ...

(born 1991), Australian terrorist * Neil Reid (disambiguation), several people *

Neil Sedaka Neil Sedaka (; born March 13, 1939) is an American singer-songwriter and pianist. Since his music career began in 1957, he has sold millions of records worldwide and has written or co-written over 500 songs for himself and other artists, collabo ...

(born 1939), American musician *

Neil Simon Marvin Neil Simon (July 4, 1927 – August 26, 2018) was an American playwright, screenwriter and author. He wrote more than 30 plays and nearly the same number of movie screenplays, mostly film adaptations of his plays. He has received mo ...

(1927–2018), American playwright *

Neil Tennant Neil Francis Tennant (born 10 July 1954) is an English musician, singer, songwriter and music journalist, and co-founder of the synth-pop duo Pet Shop Boys, which he formed with Chris Lowe in 1981. He was a journalist for ''Smash Hits'', and ...

(born 1954), British singer-songwriter of Pet Shop Boys *

Neil Turk Neil Richard Keith Turk (born 28 April 1983, Cuckfield) was an English cricketer. He is a left-handed specialist batsman with occasional right-arm medium-pace bowling, as well as a FIFA approved referee. Furthermore, Neil Turk studied Sports S ...

(born 1987), English cricketer *

Neil deGrasse Tyson Neil deGrasse Tyson ( or ; born October 5, 1958) is an American astrophysicist, author, and science communicator. Tyson studied at Harvard University, the University of Texas at Austin, and Columbia University. From 1991 to 1994, he was a p ...

(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 w ...

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

People with the surname

Alex Neil (politician) Alexander Neil (born 22 August 1951) is a Scottish politician who served as Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing from 2012 to 2014 and Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Communities and Pensioners' Rights from 2014 to 2016. A member of ...

(born 1951), Scottish politician *

Alexandra Neil Alexandra Neil (born April 7, 1955) is an American stage, film and television actress An actor or actress is a person who portrays a character in a performance. The actor performs "in the flesh" in the traditional medium of the theatre or i ...

(born 1955), American actress *

Andrew Neil Andrew Ferguson Neil (born 21 May 1949) is a Scottish former journalist and broadcaster who is chairman of ''The Spectator'' and presenter of '' The Andrew Neil Show'' on Channel 4. He was editor of ''The Sunday Times'' from 1983 to 1994. He f ...

(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) (and variants), several people *

Dan Neil (American football) Daniel Patrick Neil (born October 21, 1973) is a former American college and professional football player who was an offensive lineman in the National Football League (NFL) for eight seasons. He played college football for the University of Texa ...

(born 1973), American football player *

Dan Neil (journalist) Dan Neil is an automotive columnist for ''The Wall Street Journal'' and a former staff writer at the ''Los Angeles Times'', '' AutoWeek'' and ''Car and Driver.'' He was a panelist on 2011's ''The Car Show'' with Adam Carolla on Speed Channel. ...

(born 1960), automobile columnist for the ''Los Angeles Times'' *

Fred Neil Fred Neil (March 16, 1936 – July 7, 2001) was an American folk singer-songwriter active in the 1960s and early 1970s. He did not achieve commercial success as a performer and is mainly known through other people's recordings of his material& ...

(1936–2001), American singer and songwriter * María Fernanda Neil (born 1982), Argentine actress and model *

Sam Neill Sir Nigel John Dermot "Sam" Neill (born 14 September 1947) is a New Zealand actor. Neill's near-50 year career has included leading roles in both dramas and blockbusters. Considered an "international leading man", he has been regarded as one o ...

(born 1947), New Zealand actor *

Sara Neil Sara Louise Neil (born 2 September 1960) is a Canadian retired road bicycle racer, who won the bronze medal in the women's individual road race at the 1987 Pan American Games. A resident of Vancouver, British Columbia, she represented Canada ...

(born 1960), Canadian cyclist * Tom Neil (1920–2018), British fighter pilot * Vince Neil (born 1961), singer for American metal band Mötley Crüe

Fictional characters

*Neil "The Good Looking", from the Canadian animated series ''

Class of the Titans ''Class of the Titans'' is a Canadian animated television series produced by Studio B Productions and Nelvana Limited. It premiered on December 31, 2005, at 5 pm ET/PT on Teletoon with a special 90-minute presentation of the first three ep ...

'' *Neil the Boxtank engine, from ''

The Railway Series ''The Railway Series'' is a series of British books about a railway known as the North Western Railway, located on the fictional Island of Sodor. There are 42 books in the series, the first published in May 1945 by the Rev. Wilbert Awdry. Tw ...

'' 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), a Saturday Night Live sketch * ''Coffee Talk'' (video game), a 2020 visual novel {{Disambiguation ...

References

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