The lineage does not receive a mention in non-Irish recorded history sources between the 1080s and 1160s, from which they emerge from a very murky background. In 1167, King of Ireland Ruaidri Ua Concobhair marched north and divided the kingdom of Ailech into two. The portion north of Slieve Gallion, was given to Niall Mac Lochlainn (McLaughlin), with the portion south of Slieve Gallion, given to Áed Ua Néill. After this the two rival dynasties contested for control over Tír Eoghain until the battle of Caimeirge in 1241, where the O'Neills wiped out the MacLoughlin leadership.