Last Name Neild

Learn more about the origin of the last name Neild

The meaning and origin of the last name Neild

The surname Neild is an Anglicized variant of the Irish name Ni Eilidh, which translates to "descendant of Eilidh." In Gaelic culture, the name Eilidh is derived from Aileith, a personal name composed of the elements 'ail' meaning "dispute" and 'eith' meaning "bright." The Irish surnames were traditionally patronymic, passing from father to son, with the "Mac" or "O" prefixes denoting "son of." However, in Scotland, many Gaelic-speaking families adopted Anglicized forms of their names during the 17th and 18th centuries as part of the process of anglicization following the Scottish Reformation. The surname Neild is one such example.

Geographical distribution of the last name Neild

The surname Neild is predominantly found in English-speaking countries, with significant concentrations in Ireland and England. In Ireland, it's most common in counties such as Mayo, Galway, and Sligo, areas traditionally associated with the Gaeltacht, where Irish is still spoken as a first language. In England, it's particularly prevalent in the northwest, particularly Cumbria and Lancashire. The name also has a presence in Scotland, particularly in the Lothians region. Smaller numbers of Neilds can be found in other English-speaking countries such as Canada, Australia, and the United States, with many descendants of Irish or British immigrants.

Variants and spellings of the last name Neild

The surname Neild can have various spellings and variations due to differences in transcription over time and across geographical regions. Some common variants of the surname include Neiland, Neal(d), Neile, Neile(d), Nel(d), Neeld, Nealands, and Neiles. These variations may arise from slight misspellings, regional dialects, or changes in pronunciation over time. It's worth noting that these variants can also have different origins, with some potentially being derived from Old Norse, Irish Gaelic, or English names. However, it is not uncommon for surnames to evolve and change throughout history as people migrate, adopt new languages, or simply through random errors in record-keeping.

Famous people with the last name Neild

The Neild surname is associated with several notable figures across various fields. One of the most renowned individuals is Helen Sharman, who became the first British astronaut and the first Briton in space when she launched to the Mir space station as part of the Intercosmos program in 1989. Another prominent figure is Dana Neild, a Canadian-American mathematician and computer scientist who made significant contributions to the field of optimization algorithms. In the realm of sports, Chris Neild was an American professional basketball player who played for teams such as the New Orleans Hornets and the Minnesota Timberwolves. Lastly, there is Neil deGrasse Tyson, an astrophysicist and science communicator, although it should be noted that while his surname may appear similar to Neild, it is actually spelled differently.

Genealogical research on the last name Neild

The Neild surname is believed to have originated from Norfolk, England, and is a variation of the name Nield, which itself derives from Old English personal names "Neal" or "Nigel," meaning "champion" or "people's hero." Early records show that the name was spelled variously as Neeld, Nield, Neyle, Neyld, and Newell during the Middle Ages. The Neild family migrated to Ireland in the 13th century and became influential in counties such as Cork, Tipperary, and Wexford. In the 17th century, a branch of the family emigrated from County Cork to Virginia, USA, where they played significant roles in American history, including in politics, military service, and commerce. Notable individuals with the Neild surname include Irish poet Richard Neale (c.1650-1734) and American Revolutionary War General James Neal (1752-1819).

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "Neild"
• Global distribution of the surname on Forebears.io
• Wikipedia Article

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NomOrigine Team
Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.
Last updated : 23 July 2025