Mcdonnell

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A family name of Irish origin, a Gaelic patronymic meaning descendant of Domhnall
2. An Irish-derived surname borne by many families, traditionally tracing lineage to a figure named Domhnall
3. A hereditary family name of Gaelic Irish origin that is common in Ireland, Scotland and among their diaspora

Etymology: McDonnell is a Scottish and Irish surname, and its origin is a patronymic: it comes from Gaelic "Mac Domhnaill", meaning "son of Domhnall" (Donald, from the Gaelic "domhan", "world", plus "valiant" in its Old Irish sense of ruler or mighty one). The name is most closely tied to the Clan Donald and the MacDonnells of Antrim, whose branch in Ireland took the Gaelic form and became known in English as McDonnell. The surname's spelling varies widely, with MacDonald, MacDonell and McDonnell all standing for the same Gaelic name, and English records show the forms settling at different times in different families. The double "n" in the Irish form is a common Irish spelling choice and does not change the meaning.