Since the collapse of Gaelic Rule and the Brehon legal system, the putative succession of the "Chiefs of the Name" has followed the principle of male primogeniture. On the basis of the information available at the time, the Chief Herald of Ireland recognized John O'Donel of the Larkfield branch as Chief of the Name, and he was so gazetted on 11 September 1945 in Iris Oifigiuil, bearing the courtesy title of "The O'Donnell". His son, i.e. the latest in the line of Chiefs of the Name of O'Donnell of Tyrconnell, is Fr. Hugh Ambrose O'Donel, O.F.M., a Franciscan priest in Killiney, retired from missionary work in Zimbabwe. His Tánaiste (heir apparent) as The O'Donnell of Tyrconnell, Chief of the Name of O'Donnell, is S.E. Don Hugo O'Donnell, Duke of Tetuan, a Grandee of Spain. He is known as S.E. Don Hugo O'Donnell y Duque de Estrada - the latter appendant Duque de Estrada is not a title but a maternal family name. Don Hugo is an active member of the Clan Association of the O'Donnells of Tyrconnell, and a member of the nobiliary Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of Saint John of Jerusalem, of Rhodes, and of Malta, i.e. a Knight of Malta. However, following advice of the Attorney General, in 2003 the Genealogical Office discontinued the practice of recognising Chiefs. Descendants Melaghlin O'Donnell (d. 1247), The O'Donnell, King of Tyrconnell, son of King Domhnall Mór O'Donnell Gofraid O'Donnell (d.1257), The O'Donnell, King of Tyrconnell, son of Domhnall Mór O'Donnell Donnell Óg O'Donnell (c. 1242-1281), The O'Donnell, crowned King of Tyrconnell in Raphoe Cathedral in 1258 Hugh Roe O'Donnell, the 1st, The O'Donnell, King of Tyrconnell, builder of Donegal Castle, (d.1505) Sir Hugh Duff O'Donnell, The O'Donnell, King of Tyrconnell (d.1537) Manus O'Donnell (1490–1564), The O'Donnell, King of Tyrconnell, biographer of Saint Colmcille or Columba Calvagh O'Donnell (d. 1566), The O'Donnell, 22nd Chieftain and Lord of Tyrconnell Sir Hugh O'Donnell (c.1540-1601), The O'Donnell, King of Tyrconnell Sir Donnell O'Donnell (d. 1590), Seneschal of Tyrconnell and Sheriff of Donegal, eldest son of Sir Hugh O'Donnell, King Nuala O'Donnell (1565 - 1630), daughter of Sir Hugh Dubh O'Donnell, King Conn O'Donnell (d.1583), of Lifford, son of Calvagh and father of Niall Garve Conn Oge O'Donnell (d.1601), of Lifford, youngest son of Conn, brother of Niall Garve Niall Garve O'Donnell (1569–1626), Lord of Lifford Hugh Roe Ó Donnell (1572–1601), The O'Donnell, 24th Chieftain, Prince