The surname McConnell is the most accurate English phonetic spelling
of the name for the MacDonald Clan in Gaelic, "MacDhomnhuill." In Gaelic, after the c in Mac the d becomes silent
and the name is pronounced somewhat as though it were spelled MacHonnell, which is close to how we pronounce "McConnell."
In early English documents, MacDonald was almost always written "McConnell." McConnells were the same people as
the MacDonalds. McConnell is one of hundreds of variations of the original Gaelic surname. Other common
variations are MacDonald, McDonald, McDaniel, and McDonnell.
Visit the McConnell Genealogy page.
In the United States, a lot of McConnells lived in America
since the 1700s-- especially in Pennsylvania. When you look at the 1790 census, there were more McConnells than
McDonalds, which is interesting since McDonald is a more common surname. McConnell genealogy is difficult when you get
into the 1700s. There are inadequate records in the places and times where McConnells lived. So I strongly
suggest that McConnells who have gone as far as they can in tracing their ancestry on paper, participate in the Clan Donald
USA DNA project. (If you are female, you should find brother or father who can send in his DNA).
I sent in my DNA and discovered my direct male ancestor 750 years
ago was the founder of the MacDonald Clan-- Somerled. He was the progenitor of the MacDonald Clan and he was a Scottish hero
famous for leading the people who were later known as the MacDonald Clan against the Vikings.
Somerled and his people drove the Vikings out of Scotland and Ireland. His descendants were the chiefs that built the
MacDonald/McConnell clan into the most powerful clan in Scotland. I have found that along with myself there are other
American McConnells with very similar DNA to my own.
At the moment it appears my own DNA is closest to the MacDonells
of Glengarry Scotland. This fits because I believe that my ancestor was an Alexander McConnell, who died at Octorara
Creek, Chester Co., Pennslyvania, and who was originally from Galloway in Scotland (which is close to where the Glengarry
MacDonells were). He came to Pennslvania around 1700 with six sons. Since these six sons all raised large families,
there are undoubtedly large numbers of McConnell in America who are direct descendents of Somerled and the Clan Chiefs
of the MacDonalds.
DNA Project at Clan Donald USA.
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