Neil "Neil" is a reduced form of the surname "McNeil" (from the Gaelic "Mac Néill", "son of "Niall""), or variant form the surname of Neill (from the Irish "Ó Néill" or the Scottish Gaelic "Mac Néill", meaning "descendant of "Niall"" and "son of "Niall"". The name passed from Ireland to Scotland where it had the "Mc/Mac" prefix. Some Scottish McNeill's returned to Ireland in the 14th century and are associated with "MacNeill", "MacGreal", "MacReill", and "Mag Reil" surnames. The Manx version of the name is "Kneal" (1598), "Kneale" (1655), or "Kneel" (1636). It evolved from McNelle (1408) and MacNeyll (1430) becoming
Mac Aodhagáin Flann Mac Aodhagáin up to the year 1643. The surname has been Anglicised in a variety of ways, including as Mac Egan, Egan, Eagan, Keegan, or Keigan, McKiegan, and McKagan. Muirchertach Mac Aodhagáin Muirchertach Mac Aodhagáin Muirchertach Mac Aodhagáin Muirchertach Mac Aodhagáin Muirchertach Mac Aodhagáin Muirchertach Mac Aodhagáin Muirchertach Mac Aodhagáin Mac Aodhagáin Mac Aodhagáin (English: Egan or Keegan), is an Irish Gaelic clan of Brehons who were hereditary lawyers - firstly to the Ó Conchobhair Kings of Connacht, and later to the Burkes of Clanricarde. The earliest surviving Irish law manuscript, "In Senchas Már", was written prior to 1350