O Neill Family Crest

2nd and 3rd chequy or and gu.
O neill family crest. The irish surname o neill is of patronymic origin being a reduced form of irish gaelic ó néill descendant or son of niall a personal name of irish origin thought to mean champion. Irish names tend to vary widely in their spelling and overall form. They claim descent from domhnall grandson of niall glun dubh black knee king of ireland who was killed by the norsemen circa 890 a d. The family are said to have the oldest traceable genealogy in europe a remote ancestor being niall of the nine hostages the legendary.
Shane o neill c 1530 1567 irish king of the o neill dynasty of ulster. Conn o neill 1st earl of tyrone c 1480 1559 king of tir eogain. The process of creating these coats of arms began as early as the eleventh century although a form of proto heraldry may have existed in some countries prior to this including ireland. 1550 1616 earl of tyrone also known as the great earl.
An arm embowed in armour the hand grasping a sword all ppr. The original gaelic form of the name o neill is ó néill which means descendant of niall a personal name of irish origin thought to mean champion. A chief vair for chichester. O neill history family crest coats of arms.
The red hand of ulster originated from their coat of arms the o neil family crest or coat of arms came into existence many centuries ago. Notable amongst the family name at this time was sir niall o neill who distinguished himself at the battle of the boyne. O neill coat of arms and o neill family crest. This practice of recording a coat of arms or family crest in written as opposed to pictorial format is still used today.