THE MACNEILS OF BARRA
Rev. A. Maclean Sinclair
The Macneils of Barra were descended from Gilladanman, son of Cormac, son of Airbertach, and were originally known as Clann Ghilladhamhnain, or Clan Gilladamnan. They had their earliest home in one of the Western Islands, probably in Iona, Coll, or Tiree, but certainly not far away from Mull. They had apparently a different origin from the Macneills of Kintyre and Gigha. Gilladhamhnain, also written Gillaghamhnain, was changed to Gillānain or Gillaunain and became in English Gilleonan or Gillownan.
Gilladhamhnain was born probably about the year 1140. He was succeeded by his son Nicail, who was succeeded by his son Duncan. Murdoch, grandson of Duncan, was the grandfather of Neil—the Neil from whom the Macneils of Barra have derived their surname.
I. Neil Macgillāgamnan, or correctly Macgilladamnan, was born about the year 1320.
II. Murdoch, son of Neil, was chief of the Clan Gillagamnan in 1385.
III. Roderick, son of Murdoch, was born about 1380, and was the first Macneil who possessed the Isle of Barra. He gave up Macgillaganman as a surname and adopted Macneil in place of it. He married, about 1409, a daughter of Ferchar Maclean of Glen Urchart, son of Terlach, son of Hector Reaganach of Lochbuie, and had by her Gilleonan and other sons.
In 1409 Donald of the Isles gave to Hector Roy Maclean of Duart a charter of certain lands in Coll and Tiree. The witnesses were Michael, Bishop of the Isles, Malcolm, rector of the church of St. Columba in Mull; Neil, rector of the church of St. Columba in ‘Keneavadean’; Lachlan Macfingon, and Roderick Macneil.
IV. Gilleonan, eldest son of Roderick, received in 1427,
