Nial and O' Niel

[A.D.]

I've found some of my old notes and came across something intresting
the  Ui Niel did not take their name from Niall Noígíallach but a later northen chief famed for defeating the vikings
he had a grandson Conn (cuinn-the wolf /swift (or noble) hound and a couple of others i cant make out.
Conn is in turn supposed to have given the name O'Quinn
Another point to consider is the Irish custom of sending children  to be raised by another clan (this is a big point in the 'Tain') it is also not unusual for the child to take the name of the clan who adopted him/her
these points are taken from incomplete stuff i must have lost the rest
i thought I'd throw it out any way and see if it leads  anyone somewhere or helps in some way

[A.D.]

see Nial glundub on wikipedia

[OConnor]

Here is a bit on Quinn from the Irish Times Ancestor Search

Quinn
Quinn is now one of the most numerous of Irish surnames, ranked 18th and 17th in 1890 and 1996 respectively, and is to be found in every county in Ireland. The name arose separately in five distinct areas. In four of these - near the modern town of Corofin in Co. Clare, in the glens of north Antrim, near Castlebar in Co. Mayo and in Co. Longford - the Irish original from which the surname derives is Ó Cuinn, from Conn, a popular personal name meaning "chief" or "leader". The family based in Clare were very prominent - the barony of Inchiquin bears their name. The first to use name was Niall Ó Cuinn, who fought and died in the army of Brian Ború at the battle of Clontarf in 1014. In early times they were chiefs of the Clan Heffernan, and their descendants are today Earls of Dunraven and Mountearl. Their seat was Adare Manor in Co. Limerick, now a hotel and golf course. The seventh Earl still lives nearby. The fifth area where the name originated is Tyrone; today Quinn is the most common surname in the county. The family were part of the Clann Feargusa, descendants of Fergus, grandson of Niall of the Nine Hostages, the fifth-century monarch who founded the dynasty of the Uí Néill. The individual from whom descent is claimed was Coínne, a grandson of Fergus. All of the Clann Feargusa were conspicuous In the fighting forces of the O'Neills..
http://www.irishtimes.com/ancestor/surname/index.cfm?fuseaction=History&Surname=quinn&UserID=

[eochaidh]

Here is a bit on Quinn from the Irish Times Ancestor Search

Quinn
 The fifth area where the name originated is Tyrone; today Quinn is the most common surname in the county. The family were part of the Clann Feargusa, descendants of Fergus, grandson of Niall of the Nine Hostages, the fifth-century monarch who founded the dynasty of the Uí Néill. The individual from whom descent is claimed was Coínne, a grandson of Fergus. All of the Clann Feargusa were conspicuous In the fighting forces of the O'Neills..
http://www.irishtimes.com/ancestor/surname/index.cfm?fuseaction=History&Surname=quinn&UserID=

My paternal grandmother was a Quinn from Gortmacrane, Kilrea, Co. Derry. I don't know what the Y-DNA is for that line of my family, though. There were so many Quinn families in the area that they had to attach given names to the surname to distinguish familes. We were the Quinn-Arthur family.

Thanks,  Miles

[A.D.]

does the nickname Goatchin or something sinmelar sounding ring any bells with any one.
it seems to be ginen to the Quinns in the coalisland area.
coalisland town is relatinly new brackerville is part of or the ajoinnig townland
i don't know how far afield the populus came from very local i belive to work on the coal field.
any clues or leads would be great
thnx guys

[A.D.]

i found Gortin and Gortgonis in tullyniskin each about a mile away from coalisland new o roorts web
there might be a connection with the GORT maybe some linguists can help
there are lot of O'Niels in this area and n. armagh but i don't see that many O.Niel from thiere on  y-searsh etc the stronghold of Shane O'Niel (of elilizabeth 1 fame)was a small island on south east corner of loch neagh niear craigavon
ad to this many catholics don't co-operate with censuses (Politcal reasons) this might lead to miss represention of R1b1 in the area as it is highly likilt Nial of 9 hostages are mainly catholic
a quick look at the local phone book seems to support this going by the estates they liv. i've not gone into this in much depth
it's worth thinking about

[eochaidh]

i found Gortin and Gortgonis in tullyniskin each about a mile away from coalisland new o roorts web
there might be a connection with the GORT maybe some linguists can help

Gort means field. Gortin probably means "little field". Tully means "flood" and if you come accross Mach or Magh, it means a plain.  "in" or "een" at the end usually means "little" or "small".

Thanks,  Miles