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O'Neill -> Uí Néill?

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  • 07-03-2014 5:22am
    #1
    wannabe147
    Registered Users Posts: 14 ✭


    Can anyone help with this query in relation to the O Neill surname?

    In what circumstances is Ui Neill used As Gaeilge and when is Ui Niall used?

    I am unsure if Ui is a gender issue (female) as opposed to O for male
    and is Ui Niall a variation of Ui Neill ?

    Go raibh agaibh .


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    #2
    Insect Overlord
    Moderators, Social & Fun Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 30,859 Mod ✭✭✭✭Insect Overlord


    wannabe147 wrote: »
    Can anyone help with this query in relation to the O Neill surname?

    In what circumstances is Ui Neill used As Gaeilge and when is Ui Niall used?

    I am unsure if Ui is a gender issue (female) as opposed to O for male
    and is Ui Niall a variation of Ui Neill ?

    Go raibh agaibh .

    The "Niall" spelling wouldn't be used in Irish.

    Uí Néill is O'Neill/Ó Néill in the Tuiseal Ginideach (genitive case). It would be used to say Mrs O'Neill (Bean Uí Néill -> wife of Ó Néill)

    An unmarried O'Neill daughter would be Ní Néill. (eg. Miss Mary O'Neill would be Máire Ní Néill)

    You could also see the "Uí" spelling in a few other circumstances.

    For example, the Ó Néill family could be referred to as "muintir Uí Néill" (the people of Neill)
    A pub owned by somebody called O'Neill could have the sign "Tigh Uí Néill" above the door. (O'Neill's pub/the house of O'Neill)


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