The Cenél nEógain or Kinel-Owen ("Kindred of Owen") are a branch of the Northern Uí Néill, any of several dynasties in north-western medieval Ireland. They claim descent from Eógan mac Néill, son of Niall of the Nine Hostages. Originally their power-base was in Inishowen, with their capital at Ailech, in modern-day County Donegal in what is now the west of Ulster. Under pressure from the Cenél Conaill, they gradually spread their influence eastwards into modern counties Tyrone and Londonderry, pushing aside the Cruithin east of the River Bann, and encroaching on the Airgiallan tribes west of Lough Neagh. By the 11th century their power-base had moved from Ailech to Tullyhogue outside Cookstown, County Tyrone. By the 12th century the Cenél Conaill conquered Inishowen; however, it mattered little to the Cenél nEóghain as they had established a powerful over-kingdom in the east that had become known as Tír Eoghain, or the "Land of Owen", preserved in the modern-day name of County Tyrone.
At their greatest they held land spanning much of County Tyrone, as well as parts of counties Donegal, Fermanagh, Londonderry, Monaghan, and Armagh.
Below is a list of their principle clans and septs.
Clann Néill (also Clan Neill) The name O'Neill may come from Niall Glúndub, however the Clann Néill (more commonly known as Clan Neill) takes its name from his grandfather Néill Caille. The O'Neills and MacLaughlins who descend from this branch, were the two principal and most powerful septs of the Cenél nEógain, however the MacLaughlins defeat at the hands of the O'Neills in 1241 led to the O'Neills dominance over the Cenél nEógain.
Sept(Common Forms) Ó Néill (Ruadh)(O'Neill, Neill) Meaning: Descendant of Niall GlúndubProgenitor: Ruadh Ó Néill Territory: TyroneExtra: This branch of the O'Neills is named after Niall Ruadh (Red Niall), Prince of Tyrone, brother of Aodh Dubh (Black Hugh), King of Ulster Mac Lochlainn(MacLaughlin, MacLoughlin, Laughlin, Loughlin) Meaning: Of the lakes (referring to western Norway)Progenitor: Territory: Barony of InishowenExtra: Leading sept of Tirconnell, some will originally be O'Melaghlins, descended from Máel Sechnaill II Mac Barúin(Barron) Meaning: Small landed proprietorProgenitor: Sir Art MacBarron O'Neill Territory: Counties Armagh and LouthExtra: Important branch of the O'Neills in counties Armagh and Louth Mac Suibhne(Sweeney, MacSweeney, Mawhinney) Meaning: Pleasant, well-disposedProgenitor: Suibhne O'Neill Territory: Fanad, Banagh and the Territories in TirconnellExtra: Descended from Suibhne O'Neill, a Scottish chieftain from Argyll. A mixture of Dalriadic Gaels and Norsemen they came to Ulster as gallowglasses. Some Mawhinney's are thought to be Anglicisations of Mac Shuibhne, a variant of Mac Suibhne Mac Seáin(MacShane, Johnson) Meaning: JohnProgenitor: Territory: North-east Tyrone, later Donegal and LouthExtra: Hereditary title of Chief of Moy Ith or Mag Itha (eastern Donegal, southern Londonderry, northern Tyrone)The small sept of O'hAmhsaigh (Hampson) from North eastern (Londonderry, Magilligan) allied themselves to the Mac Shane's. Ó Doibhilin(O'Devlin, Devlin) Meaning:Progenitor: Domailén Territory: Muintir Dhoiblin (Munterdevlin), on the west shore of Lough NeaghExtra: The chief of Munterdevlin was hereditary sword-bearer to the O'Neill, and the Devlin's part of his cavalry Mac Néill(McNeill, McNeil) Meaning:Progenitor: Territory: Counties Antrim and LondonderryExtra: Originate from the Scottish Clan MacNeil, who claim to descend from a Niall, 21st in descent from Niall of the Nine Hostages, founder of the Uí Néill dynasty. They came to Ireland as gallowglasses, and later as pirates. Mac Conmidhe(MacNamee) Meaning: Hound of MeathProgenitor: Territory: Counties Tyrone and LondonderryExtra: Hereditary poets and ollavs to the O'Neills Mac Conmidhe(MacConamy, MacConomy, Conamy, Conomy, Conmee, Conway) Meaning: Hound of MeathProgenitor: Territory: Counties Tyrone and LondonderryExtra: Alleged to be no connection between these and the MacNamees Mac Giolla Easpuig(Gillespie, Bishop) Meaning: Servant of the bishopProgenitor: Territory: Aeilabhra in barony of Iveagh, county DownExtra: A branch settled and became erenaghs of Kilrean and Kilcar, in the baronies of Boylagh and Banagh, county Donegal Mac Íomhair(MacIvor, MacKeever) Meaning: Bow-warrior, archerProgenitor: Territory:Extra: From the Norse personal name Ivarr meaning bow-warrior, archer Mac Laomuinn(Lamont, MacLamont, MacLamond, MacErchar, Brown, MacClement, Clement) Meaning: Lawman, lawyerProgenitor: Ladhman mac Giolla Colum Territory: County TyroneExtra: Derived from the Old Norse name Lōgmaðr, meaning 'lawman' or 'lawyer', Gaelicised as Ladhmann. Some were also called MacErchar after Ladhman's grandfather Fearchar. The Mac Laomuinn ancestry allegedly traces them to Flaithbertach Ua Néill. The Lamonts adopted several "colour" names after they had been "broken" and forbidden to use their own name, these include Brown and Black. Mac Eoghain(McKeown, Keon, MacGowan, Owens, MacCune) Meaning: OwenProgenitor: Territory:Extra: Many are originally Ó Ceothain or Ó hEoghain (O'Keown's) rather than Mac Eoghain
Clann Aodha Bhuidhe The Clann Aodha Bhuidhe, or Clandeboye O'Neill, is a branch of Clann Néill, descended from Aodh Meth (Hugh the Fat), King of Ulster from 1196 to 1230; Aodh Medh's brother was Niall Ruadh (Red Niall), King of Ulster for a month after his death, and Prince of Tyrone. The eponym of the clan was Aodh Buidhe (Yellow Hugh) O'Neill (1260–83), grandson of Aodh Meth, and last King to be called King of Ailech; Aodh Buidhe was most notable for his close co-operation with the Earldom of Ulster. The Clandeboye O'Neills would later take control over most of eastern Ulster with the collapse of the Earldom of Ulster due to the invasion of Edward Bruce, whom they had opposed. Henry O'Neill of this line was King of Ulster from 1325 to 1344; Art O'Neill from 1509 to 1514.Peter Berresford Ellis, Erin's Blood Royal, London (1999), pp. 230-1
Sept(Common Forms) Ó Néill(O'Neill, Neill) Meaning: Descendant of Niall GlúndubProgenitor: Aodh Buidhe Ó Néill Territory:Extra: This branch of the O'Neills is more commonly known as the Clandeboy O'Neill's, with Clandeboy being the Anglicisation of Clann Aodha Bhuidhe. It takes its name from Aodh Buidhe (Yellow Hugh), grandson of Aodh Dubh (Black Hugh), King of Ulster, brother of Niall Ruadh (Red Niall), Prince of Tyrone, who claimed vast tracts of land from the NormansMac Conuladh (MacNaul, MacNally)Meaning: Hound of Ulster Progenitor: Cú Uladh Ó NéillTerritory: Antrim Extra: Descended from Cú Uladh, son of Brian Ballagh Ó Néill, King of Clandeboye who was killed in battle at Carrickfergus in 1425. Ó Gnímh(Agnew, O'Gnyw, O'Gnew, O'Gnive) Meaning:Progenitor: Territory:Extra:Poets to the O'Neills of Clandeboye. This sept is thought to have come from Scotland at the same time as the MacDonald galloglasses but not as a galloglass family itself. It is presumed it was among the original Irish septs to colonise Scotland in the 5th century
Clann Domnaill The Clann Domnaill (Clan Donnell) originated in County Donegal however moved eastwards into what is now County Tyrone. The clan is reputedly descend from Domnaill mac Áed, son of Áed Findliath and Gormlaith Rapach, daughter of Muiredach mac Echdach, King of Ulster.
Sept(Common Forms) Ua Donnghaile Ó DonnghaileO'Donnelly Donnelly Meaning: Brown(-haired) warriorProgenitor: Donnghaile Ó Néill Territory: Fear Droma Lighen, (Drumleen), Donegal then to Baile-Ua-nDonnghail (Ballydonnelly), Tyrone Extra: Hereditary chief was marshall of the O'Neill's forces Ó FlaithbheartaighO'Flaherty Laverty Lafferty Meaning: Bright princeProgenitor: Flaithbheartach mac Murchadh Territory: Aileach, Donegal and later Ardstraw, TyroneExtra: Formerly Lords of Ailech and later rotated the Kingship of Tyrone with the O'Neills and MacLaughlins
Clann Birnn The Clann Birnn (kindred of Birn) is descended from Bern mac Ruadrí mac Murchad mac Máel Dúin mac Áeda Alláin. This clan resided in Muintir Birn (in barony of Dungannon) and Tellach Ainbhith (in barony of Strabane) both in modern-day County Tyrone.
Sept(Common Forms) Mac Ruaidhrí(MacCrory, MacRory, Rodgers, Rogers) Meaning: Red kingProgenitor: Territory: Teallach Ainbhith and Muintir-Birn, and Ballynascreen in LondonderryExtra: Mac Murchadha(MacMurphy, Murphy, Morrow) Meaning: Sea warriorProgenitor: Territory: Muintir-BirnExtra: Chiefs of Siol Aodha. They were driven out by the O'Neills and settled in the highlands of south Armagh under O'Neill of the Fews Ó Firghil(Friel, Freel) Meaning: Man of valourProgenitor: Territory: Donegal, and lesser extent in Tyrone and LondonderryExtra: Hereditary holders of the office of abbot, of Kilmacrenan, Donegal
Cenél Feargusa The Cenél Feargusa (kindred of Fergus) are descended from Fergus, the son of Owen, who was the son Niall of the Nine Hostages. It is sometimes also known as the Cenél Coelbad as the descended septs are through his son Coelbad. The clan originally resided in Inishowen, County Donegal before battling their way towards Tullyhogue, County Tyrone where they became masters of Tyrone and the vanguard of the O'Neills. They advanced into Tyrone after the Cenél mBinnigh had already led the way.
Sept(Common Forms) Ó hÁgáin(O'Hagan, Hagan, Haggens, Higgins) Meaning: YoungProgenitor: Ogain mac Coelbad Territory: Originally Inishowen, then Tullyhogue in TyroneExtra: Originally spelt Ó hÓgáin. Held the hereditary right of inaugurating the O'Neill as King of Ulster, as well as hereditary "brehons" of the O'Neills Ó Coinne(O'Quinn, Quinn, Quin, Conney, Quinney) Meaning: CounselProgenitor: Coínne mac Coelbad Territory: Originally Inishowen, then TyroneExtra: Acted as quartermasters to the O'Neills Ó Maelfabhail(MacFall, MacPaul, Fall, Paul, Mulfoyle, Lavelle) Meaning: Devotee of (St) FabhailProgenitor: Mael Fabaill mac Coelbad Territory: Carrickbraghy in north-west Inishowen, and later Londonderry and TyroneExtra: Last of the Cenél nEóghain clans in its ancestral homeland of Inishowen, conquered by the O'Dohertys of the Cenél Conaill Ó Mealláin(O'Mallon, O'Mellan, Mallon, Mellan, Mellon) Meaning: PleasantProgenitor: Aedh mac Fergus Territory: Meallanacht (O'Mellan's Country), Slieve GallionExtra: Joint keepers of St. Patricks bell, the Bell of Testament Ó Bruadair(O'Broder, Broder) Meaning: DreamProgenitor: Territory: DonegalExtra: Ó Cearnaigh(Kearney, Carney) Meaning: VictoriousProgenitor: Territory: Erenaghs of Killaghtee in Boylagh and Banagh in DonegalExtra: Ó Robhartaigh(O'Roarty, Roarty, Rafferty) Meaning: Flood-tideProgenitor: Territory: DonegalExtra: An ecclesiastical sept who were co-arbs to St Columcille on Tory Island Ó Doirighe (Ó Daire)(O'Derry, Derry) Meaning: Oak woodProgenitor: Territory: Raphoe, DonegalExtra: Erenaghs of Raphoe
Cenél mBinnigh The Cenél mBinnigh (kindred of Binny), are descended from Eochu Binneach (Ochy Binny), son of Eógan. The Cenél mBinnigh where the first clan of the Cenél nEóghain to advance from Inishowen, bypassing the fierce resistance of the Ciannachta (northern County Londonderry) and into western Airgialla (modern-day County Tyrone), and in doing so ousted several Airgiallan clans (Ui Tuirtri and FIr Li) to east of the River Bann.
From the Cenél mBinnigh came the following branches:
Cenél mBinnig Glinne in the valley of Glenconkeine, barony of Loughinsholin, County Londonderry Cenél mBindigh Locha Droichid east of Magh Ith in County Tyrone Cenél mBindigh Tuaithe Rois eas of the river Foyle in County Londonderry and north of the barony of Loughinsholin