Irish America

Chris O'Donnell

Roots: The O’Donnells

By Adam Farley, Editorial Assistant
October / November 2013

by Leave a Comment

They came from Donegal. Legend says they are descended from the 5th-century Ulsterman Niall of the Nine Hostages, whose son Conall was baptized by St. Patrick. It is from Domhnaill (d.901), a descendant of that mythic Conall, that the family name, which has since been anglicized as O’Donnell, emerged. St. Patrick gave the O’Donnells their crest. According to the early 17th … [Read more...] about Roots: The O’Donnells

Irish Roots : O’Donnell, McDonnell and Donnelly

By James D. Ryan, Contributor
June / July 2002

by Leave a Comment

These three names and others of a similar sound such as Donnellan and Donlon are sometimes confused, as spelling variations have occurred among emigrant families. They are, however, totally distinct, and indeed both the McDonnells and O'Donnells are made up of several distinct septs. The main branch of the O'Donnells, based in Donegal, is the most eminent of the Gaelic … [Read more...] about Irish Roots : O’Donnell, McDonnell and Donnelly