MacNeil clan DNA shows they are not of Irish heritage as previously thought
FOR centuries the MacNeil clan based on the Hebridean island of Barra have proudly claimed to be descendants of Ireland’s “greatest” King, Niall of the Nine Hostages.
But a check on hundreds of modern day MacNeils has revealed their roots actually lie with the Vikings and not the Irish.
DNA swabs taken from Barra MacNeils as far away as Canada and Australia have proved that the blood of fierce Norse raiders runs through their veins.
The finding comes from the MacNeil Surname Y-DNA project run by genealogists Vincent MacNeil and Alex Buchanan.
Clansmen from all over the world including Scotland, the US, Canada, New Zealand and Australia have provided DNA samples.
MacNeil remains the main surname on Barra on the southern tip of the Outer Hebrides with a population of just 1,000.
Clansmen believed they descended from Niall of the Nine Hostages through an 11th century Irish prince who emigrated to Scotland.
But the DNA project has not found a single match to Ireland.
“We can say we can re-write the history of the Clan MacNeil,” said genealogist Vincent MacNeil, from Nova Scotia, Canada.
“We don’t have one participant from Barra that matches the O’Neills of Ireland.
“If you look at the history of the Clan MacNeils we are probably of Norse descent. We have legends and myths that have been passed through generations.
“But mother nature knows who we are. Oral history is wonderful and often there is truth in it. But everybody’s family history is in their DNA.”
The clan was infamous throughout Scotland and beyond for its Viking-style pirating and great seamanship.
MacNeils raided the seas from their base at Kisimul Castle in Birlinn vessels – boats similar to the Viking longships.
Western Isles MP, Angus MacNeil, who also lives on Barra, said: “The MacNeils were a notoriously pirating clan. It’s no surprise we have Norse DNA.
“Maybe we are the last Vikings.”
The MP added: “‘Conquer or die’ is the clan motto. Given the size of the island we ended up on we must have been better at the dying than the conquering.”
Paul McNeil, a 70-year-old clansman, from Washington state, said he was devastated when he got his DNA results.
He said: “I nervously awaited the results, and was emotionally devastated when we received them.”
The college teacher added: “A heavy workload and a bottle of whiskey after work helped me to get over it in a matter of weeks.”
“I found solace in the fact that, if not a Celt, I am nevertheless a Gael.
Michael MacNeil, 62, from Nova Scotia, Canada, said: “It wasn’t what I expected.”
The Aerospace engineer, whose family emigrated from Barra seven generations ago, continued: “I’m pretty good with being of Viking descent. I have no problems at all. You are what you are.”
Calum MacNeil, a retired fisherman who lives near Castlebay on the Isle of Barra, said: “I knew that anyway, but I didn’t want to tell anybody.”
Niall of the Nine Hostages, whose dynasty dominated Ireland between the fifth and 10th Centuries, got his name from taking hostages as a strategy against his opponent chieftains.
The King, who died in 405AD, was the founder of the longest and most powerful Irish royal dynasty and known by some as the greatest king that Ireland ever knew.