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Scottish Tattoo Designs >> MacNeacail

MacNeacail Clan Tattoos - The islands of Lewis and Skye remained part of the Scandinavian kingdom of Man and the Isles until 1266, and it seems likely that, in common with the Macleods, the MacNeacails were of Norse descent. The name-father of the Clan Nicail or Nicholson, a name popular in Scandinavia, must have flourished in the mid 13th century. The Macleods of Lewis appear to have extended their considerable possessions through marriage with the Macneachail heiress in the 14th century.

(Centuries later, some members of the extended clan settled in the north of Ireland during the plantation, and today their descendents are to be found in Counties Donegal and Tyrone with the names Nichols, Macnicols, Oiocals and Nickells.)

The first chief on record early in the 14th century is John, son of Nicail, He appears in company of leading Hebridean chiefs, Macdonald, Macdougald and Macruairi, descen-dents of Somerled, who had wrested control of the southern Hebrides from Man.

Clan MacNeacail Motto: Sgorra Bhreac ~ From Gaelic: Speckled Rocky Upland

See also: Claddagh, Thistle Tattoos, Scottish Lion Tattoo Designs, Welsh Dragon Tattoos, Scottish Tattoo Designs, Celtic Tattoo Designs, Family Crests, Hawk