On the Scottish west coast, the McNelley family was born among the ancient Dalriadan clans. Their name comes from the personal name Neil. The Gaelic form Mac Neill translates as son of Neil.
The surname McNelley was first found in on the islands of Barra, Gigha, Colonsay, and Oronsay. According to traditional records in 1049, Niall, a direct descendent of King Niall of the Nine Hostages, landed in Barra and founded the Clan MacNeill of Barra. However, another kinsman, some believe to be the younger brother of Niall named Anrothan, married a Princess of the Dalriadans, an ancient race from which sprang most of the early Scottish Kings. Legend has it that Anrothan started the MacNeill house of Colonsay through his son Torquil of Taynish. This latter branch acquired the lands of Gigha, Colonsay and Oronsay, beyond the Firth of Lorne. For the next two centuries it appears as though these two great houses were developing independently of one another.
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our McNelley research.
Another 361 words (26 lines of text) covering the years 1590, 1730, 1370, 1380, 1526, 1562, 1640, 1631, 1640, 1612, 1613 and 1686 are included under the topic Early McNelley History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
In the Middle Ages, the translation between Gaelic and English was not a highly developed process. Spelling was not yet standardized, and so, an enormous number of spelling variations appear in records of early Scottish names. McNelley has appeared as MacNeil, MacNeill, MacNeal, MacNeilage, MacNeale, MacNeall, MacNeille, MacNeel, MacNiel, MacGreal, Mcneil, Mcneill, McNeal, Mcneal, Mcneall and many more.
Another 32 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early McNelley Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Some of the McNelley family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 85 words (6 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
"New York Passenger Arrival Lists (Ellis Island), 1892-1924," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JX5G-PY3 : 6 December 2014), George McNelley, 04 Nov 1908; citing departure port Havana, arrival port New York, ship name Seguranca, NARA microfilm publication T715 and M237 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).
"New York Passenger Arrival Lists (Ellis Island), 1892-1924," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JJ1S-T2Q : 6 December 2014), Frank McNelley, 08 Dec 1912; citing departure port Havana, arrival port New York, ship name Esperanza, NARA microfilm publication T715 and M237 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).
"New York Passenger Arrival Lists (Ellis Island), 1892-1924," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:J6CG-SM7 : 6 December 2014), William E. McNelley, 20 Apr 1920; citing departure port Hamburg via Rosyth, Scotland, arrival port New York, ship name , NARA microfilm publication T715 and M237 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).
"New York Passenger Arrival Lists (Ellis Island), 1892-1924," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:J6XB-4TY : 6 December 2014), R. McNelley, 06 Jul 1920; citing departure port Los Angeles, arrival port Genoa, Naples, Italy, ship name West Grama, NARA microfilm publication T715 and M237 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).
Motto Translation: To conquer or die.
^ "New York Passenger Arrival Lists (Ellis Island), 1892-1924," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JX5G-PY3 : 6 December 2014), George McNelley, 04 Nov 1908; citing departure port Havana, arrival port New York, ship name Seguranca, NARA microfilm publication T715 and M237 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).
^ "New York Passenger Arrival Lists (Ellis Island), 1892-1924," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JJ1S-T2Q : 6 December 2014), Frank McNelley, 08 Dec 1912; citing departure port Havana, arrival port New York, ship name Esperanza, NARA microfilm publication T715 and M237 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).
^ "New York Passenger Arrival Lists (Ellis Island), 1892-1924," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:J6CG-SM7 : 6 December 2014), William E. McNelley, 20 Apr 1920; citing departure port Hamburg via Rosyth, Scotland, arrival port New York, ship name , NARA microfilm publication T715 and M237 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).
^ "New York Passenger Arrival Lists (Ellis Island), 1892-1924," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:J6XB-4TY : 6 December 2014), R. McNelley, 06 Jul 1920; citing departure port Los Angeles, arrival port Genoa, Naples, Italy, ship name West Grama, NARA microfilm publication T715 and M237 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).