O’Neill’s of Puerto Rico: Irish Potato Famine? By M.A. O’Neill

You have certain O’Neill families in Puerto Rico that their origins are not known at all, since they have not taken time to do the genealogical research, or care about a y-dna test. At one time before I came along all the O’Neill’s in Puerto Rico believed to be related or share a common ancestor, but the facts are another proven by extensive genealogical research and y-dna test. 

I have seen that there are still those O’Neill’s in Puerto Rico who believe that they were part of the Irish Potato famine. That is nonsense this event happened in Ireland during 1842 to 1852, and it caused a mass immigration of Irish to the United States, Australia, Canada, and England, and not to Puerto Rico. Puerto Rico was part of the Spanish Crown and emigration to the island was only allowed by Spain. There were only two recorded O’Neill’s to have arrived in Puerto Rico with unknown origins after the 1800’s, and this was during the Royal Decree of the Graces in 1815.

The origin of the O’Neill’s of Puerto Rico varies on the specific families.

1. The O’Neill’s of the Fews who lived in Rio Piedras, Guaynabo, and San Juan. These were the children of Don Arturo O’Neill of the Fews 2^nd Marques del Norte, and he arrived in Puerto Rico in the early 1800’s, but before that his uncles Don Niall “ Nicolas” O’Neill, Don Enrique O’Neill , and Don Arturo O’Neill 1^st Marquez del Norte were involved in the island.

2. The descendants of Don Juan O’Neill are well established with a unique y-dna haplotype, and an oral history states they are the descendants of a Don Constantino O’Neill in Galicia, Spain whose family fought in the land were people wore wooden shoes, this being the Spanish Netherlands. 

3. There were O’Neill’s who settled on the Island of Vieques with origins from the island of Tortola.

4. There is the oral history of one group of O’Neill’s very different than the descendants of Don Juan O’Neill. Their oral history is of an O’Neill daughter of an O’Neill high ranking military officer who has two children with a native Indian, or a slave, and then is taken away. The two children keep the O’Neill surname years later she returns to find them. My theory is that the origin of this has to do with one of the O’Neill’s of the Fews daughter.

You have the O'Neill de Millán family their genealogy is:

Francisco O'Neill de Millán and Severa Arroyo

Parents of Calixto O’Neill.

A.   Calixto O'Neill married Genoveva Vasquez and they became the parents of Juan O'Neill, Irma O’Neill, Sophia O'Neill, Doris O'Neill, Ruben O’Neill, Emily O'Neill, Lucy O'Neill, and Frank O'Neill.

(It's not known if this O’Neill family is related to the O'Neill's descendants of Don Juan O'Neill, and I personally have my doubts.)

 It's a possibility this could be the 3rd brother of Don Felipe O'Neill Casanas and Don Fransico O'Neill Casanas. Until a y-dna test is taken from one of the males of this family then it will be known. This family seems to be of origins in Aguadilla, Santurce, Ponce and Fajardo. It's very likely these maybe the descendants of one of the O'Neill's of the Fews sons, yet at the moment none come forward with any y-dna samples, or any concrete genealogy.

So at this point we have no idea who these O’Neill are the descendants are and it’s up to them to come forward with a y-dna test and a genealogy.

I have no idea who is this family the O’Neill y Rosario’s is related to:

Juan O’Neill Santos b. 1880 marries Geronima Rosario Camareno b. 1872, and they are both the parents of

 Gregorio O’Neill Rosario b. 1893, Jose O’Neill Rosario b.1894, Heriberto O’Neill Rosario b. 1895, Santiago O’Neill Rosario b. 1896, Ulises O’Neill Rosario b. 1897, Monseratte O’Neill Rosario (Male) 1903, Providencia O’Neill Rosario b. 1904, Victoriana O’Neill Rosario b. 1907, and Vicenta O’Neill Rosario b. 1903.

I have no genealogical record of Juan O’Neill Santos, and none of his descendants have come forward with a y-dna test. So who ever his descendants are hope they come forward with a y-dna test. At this moment their origins are unknown…

The O’Neill’s y Merced family had a stepfather named Anizeto Merced b. 1870. It looks that the children of Francisca O’Neill Rodriguez kept the O’Neill surname from their mother and not their father who is unknown. But for these O’Neill’s to be O’Neill’s Francisca must have married another O’Neill since she was an O’Neill herself. The O’Neill-Baez are related to the O’Neill-Merced by way of Francisca O’Neill Rodriguez but the all the descendants of Francisca O’Neill Rodriguez are not O’Neill’s thru a male line but by their mother. So a Y-DNA sample is needed from the descendants of 

  

•        Esteban O’Neill Merced b. 1908

•        Modesto O’Neill Merced b. 1892

•        Francisco O’Neill Merced b.1898

The truth is that at this point of my research these families must do their own genealogical research, and if they acquire a y-dna test then the puzzle will be simpler to solve. What we do know is that none of the O’Neill’s  to my knowledge at no point did any O’Neill of Puerto Rico arrive on the island during the Potato famine of Ireland, and if they did it will be a unique finding. Also it will be great news, since that would exclude them from being descendants of any of the O’Neill’s who arrived in Puerto Rico from Spain during the early 1700’s.

Anyone with further info can contact me at theredhandking@gmail.com

The Lenaghan distant common relative? By M.O’Neill

It’s has been over 5 years without any concrete y-dna matches outside a cluster of a similar group of people with origins in Yorkshire, England, and the Czech Republic. Until recently with a match of 32/37 with a person of the surname Lenaghan, and looking at the markers that mutate I believe that this Lenaghan y-dna match looks that they might have shared a common family relative, and not a common ancestor, but during what time period. Due to the genetic y-dna distance of the O’Neill’s of Puerto Rico and this Lenaghan match it’s too far apart to share a common ancestor. Now it should be noted that none of the Lenaghan’s, so far, have tested positive for the SNP L48/S162 R1b1a2a1a1a5c at the moment only found among those O’Neill’s in Puerto Rico those being the descendants of Don Juan O’Neill the last of a possible extinct bloodline. Also I have only seen two Lenaghan get tested for y-dna and the two seem to have the value of 13 at DYS 456. The few Lenaghan’s that I have seen tested have the value of 13 at DYS 456, very uncommon, and found among the O’Neill’s of Puerto Rico. Hopefully more Lenaghan come forward with y- DNA test, and more info on their origins and Sept will be available.

13 23 14 11 11-14 12 12 11 13 13 29 - O’Neill’s of Puerto Rico

13 23 14 11 11-14 12 12 11 13 13 29 - Lenaghan

There are many versions of what this surname means, since it was Anglicized from two Irish sources.

1.   The Ó Lennacháin of Roscommon.

2.   The Ó Luingeachán sept of Limerick and Tipperary.

The surname "Ó Leannacháin" is also understood to be derived from 'leann' in the form of 'leannach' meaning 'cloaked' or 'mantled,' and while typically made "Lenihan or "Lenaghan."

Are the Lenaghan’s the descendants of a cloaked man? The only people that wore cloaks in Ireland were those of nobility, and the Vikings. The surname Lenaghan also may be translated to “Long Ship”, and the possible association with Norse or Dane Vikings in Ireland, or a person in Ireland that used long ships.

 Others say the word Leannach or leanach means "possessing mantles", a mantle being a loose, and sleeveless coat.

 The word 'leannán' does mean 'lover' is this as a source of the surname Lenaghan? I have my doubts about that origin.

The variants of this surname: MacClenaghan, McClenaghan, MacLenaghan, McLenaghan, MacClannachan, McClannachan, MacClenahan, McClenahan, Lenaghan, Lenahan, Linehan, MacClenahan, McClenahan, MacClanaghan, McClanaghan, MacClanahan, McClanahan, MacDlenathan, McClenathan, MacClenathen, McClenathen, MacClenathin, McClenathin, MacLanachan, McLanachan, MacLanaghan, McLanaghan, MacLanahan, McLanaghan, MacLenahan, McLenahan, MacLenachan, McLenachan, and Lanachan.

The Lenaghan’s are an obscure clan with limited knowledge of its origins available. One origins of the Lenaghan surname is in Co. Limerick and Co. Cork were it is the most common, and there is the Munster sept which was called O'Luingeachan or O'Leannachain. Another origin is of Connacht from where many of the Lenaghan’s probably descend of the sept named O'Leannachain, which was located in County Roscommon. Some believe this sept O’Lenaghan, were of the Hy Brune Tribe descending from Brian.

There is a group of MacLeannachain or Lenaghan’s that belongs almost exclusively to Ulster, mainly in the Co. Antrim and Co. Derry. The Lenaghan’s appear in the Elizabethan Fiants in the O'Neill Country, and among the Co., Cork “Pardons of 1601”.

 “It is recorded in the O’Neill Country of sixteenth-century Tyrone as Mac Leanachain,”“A common name in the Scottish province of Galloway, from which so many Plantation settlers stemmed.” - The Book of Ulster Surnames by Robert Bell.

“The Lenaghan family is traditionally linked with the Co Roscommon in Ireland. The family is found centered in Tuamma, in the Barony of Boyle, on several occasions.” - The Book of Irish Families Great and Small by Michael C. O’laughlin.
  

Anyone with any further info I can be contacted at Theredhandking@gmail.com

The O’Neill Hovenden link By M.O’Neill

I seem to be the only one who looks up these links, since the majority of O’Neill’s spend their time looking up, and following a dream of some Royal ancestry. This surname Hovenden, Ovington, de Ovenden, or Hovenedan was found among numerous families in Ireland in Ulster. In 1664 in Co. Armagh a Hovenden appears in the lists of Co. Armagh householders. Various records show the Hovendens circa the 1650’s in the counties Cork, Down, Tipperary, and Clare. The surname Hovenden as often been strongly associated with Leix, since the 1550’s their main seat had been at Tankardstown. It’s a very rare surname to find in Ireland, but its variants are still found in Yorkshire, England. Which is very interesting for the O’Neill’s of Puerto Rico that maybe these Hovendens could match us, since there is a cluster of people within the SNP L48 with similar haplotype mutations in Yorkshire. None to my knowledge and research have obtained a y-dna test, nor do they have a y-dna project. It will be of great interest, if any do match the majority of the O’Neill’s currently tested, or by some miracle the O’Neill’s of Puerto Rico.

 I would not be surprise; if the Hovenden tested their y-dna, and we would find many end up in the SNP L21 R1b1a2a1a1b4 which is very common among the population of England and Ireland, and the majority of O’Neill’s.

Some records show that a Roger de Hovenden, of Hovenden in England, held a place in the court of King Henry II during the 12^th century. A town of Hovenden in York was in existence prior to the reign of Edward the Confessor, and its location is twenty miles from the city of York, on the road from Beverley to Doncaster. The Hovenden surname has many variants such as Ovenden, Ovendon, de Ovenden, and Hovenden. It’s believed to be English locational surname. With origins from two villages one named “Ovenden" located in the former West Riding of Yorkshire, and the other from the village of Ovingdean in Sussex, England.

When Feardorcha “Matthew” O’Neill was killed by Shane “An Diomas” O’Neill, and his son Brian O’Neill, the 2nd Baron of Dungannon, were murdered by his cousin Turlough Leynagh O'Neill, depending on various accounts it’s believed at the order of Shane “The Proud”.

For the safety of Hugh O’Neill, he was adopted by the Hovenedan family and raised in England under Sir Henry Sidney at Ludlow, Shropshire, and at Penshurts in Kent. The adoptive father was Captain Giles Hovenden, he was said to have been involved in the lands granted to the sons of Conn “Baccach” O’Neill in Balgriffen, near Dublin during this time. The question that many do not see to know is why Giles did adopt Hugh O’Neill, and not a man like Sir. Henry Sidney?

Captain Giles Hovenden obtained the Lordship of Killaban in Queens County in 1549. He married Elizabeth Cheevers and they were the parents of one daughter and five sons. His 4th son was named Captain Walter Hovenden and he fought in Flanders under Sir William Stanley. In 1579 Walter Hovenden was slain in Maryborough by the O’Moore when Maryborough Fort and town were burnt down.

The sons of Giles Hovenden that were associated with the O’Neill’s were Giles’s 3^rd Richard Hovenden and 5^th Henry Hovenden who were both foster-brothers of Hugh O'Neill, 2^nd Earl of Tyrone. These two Hovendens were instrumental in capturing some 800 Spaniards of the ship "Trinidad Valencera" and various other vessels part of the Spanish Armada during 1588 on the coast of Donegal. According to all historical records Henry Hovenden was Hugh O'Neill's secretary for over 10 years, confidant, political tactician, messenger, ambassador and a Captain who went on to serve Henry O’Neill, son of Hugh O’Neill,  in Flanders.

Henry Hovenden had a son named Robert "Gentleman of Kenard" Hovenden, who married the widow Catherine O’Neill; she was the daughter of Turlough O'Neill, and the mother of Sir Phelim O'Neill, the leader in the Rebellion of 1641.

 “Grant from the King to Catherine ny Neale, late wife of Terence or Turlagh oge O'Neale, and now wife of Robert Hovenden, gent. - Tyrone Co. In Mointerbirne Territory. The towns and lands of Drommurre or Drominurre and Lisnaloghoge, 1 sessiogh each, Kinard, Carrickaconablie, and Edinadeenard, 1 hal. Kiltegawanagh and Tawnaghatallin, 1 bal. Annaghgawlen and Kiltecamue, I bal. Tullinashingan or Tullinashan, 1 bal. (Dirriecrantohan) 1 hal. Mollinnamanagh or Molleneveagh, and Kilsamsoge, 1 hal. Coologor, 1 bal. Laghtmcanab, 1 bal. Mollaghmosagh and Gower, 1 bal. (Ravickett) or Rathmakett, 1 bal. Aghenisheightragh, 1 hal. Aghenissowtragh, 1 bal. total, 760 acres - ARMAGH Co. In Towrany Territory. Corrafinghna or Carfeaghna, Coolekill, Killcanavan, Ratrelick, Dromgarne, Shantully, (Ardgonell), Finduff or (Feduffe), Nacknockbana and Shankill, Dromquoise or Dromgoose and Cluntyecraghlin, Gortfadda, Skyrre, Crosdalaitragh, Crosdalaoughtragh, (Raconmure), Glasdromen, each 1 balliboe; total, 1600 acres - To hold all the premises to her own use, for the term of ten years; remainder to Phelimy Roe O'Neale, son and heir of the said Tirlough and his heirs.”     - King James I, in 1614 granted Catherine O’Neill

 

The question is did any of the sons of Robert Hovenden and Catherine O’Neill assumed the O’Neill surname? Or did they even have any children?

The O’Neill’s are currently a big puzzle and full of mysteries the problem is that many O’Neill’s do not take their time to think objective and search for the truth. Those of the Hovenden surname may hold a clue to the puzzle of many of the O’Neill’s, but until they obtain y-dna samples we will know. Let’s see what the future holds and what we will find. 

O’Neill’s truly Geoghegan’s By M.O’Neill

Those O’Neill’s who do not know their genealogy prior to the 1800’s and are of origins in Galway should take into account that in 1807, John Geoghegan of Bunowen Castle, County Galway, assumed the surname of O'Neill. He also adopted a coat of arms based on, but differentiated from, the arms of O'Neill.

1.  "Ermine a Dexter hand Gules supported by two lions rampant Azure and in base a salmon in the sea proper.
2.  The Crest: a sinister arm embowed in armor, graphing a sword all-proper".

For whatever reasons envy, jealousy, or God knows why this John Geoghegan assumed the O’Neill surname and all associated with it. The question is how many O’Neill’s are just true Geoghegan’s and not O'Neill?

Who were these Geoghegan’s? The sept of the MacGeoghegans is recorded to be of the southern Ui Neill, and believed to be the descendants of mythical King Niall of the Nine Hostages; they were located in the present barony of Moycashel, Co. Westmeath, with the chiefs' seat near Kilbeggan.

Many of the Geoghegan belong to the SNP R-M222 R1b1a2a1a1b4b this SNP ( Y-chromosome Haplogroup)is found and associated with those surnames of the Uí Néill dynasty, but it is not restricted to the Uí Néill, as it is also associated with the closely related Connacht dynasties, the Uí Briúin, and the Uí Fiachrach.

This group of O’Neill’s maybe out there likely in Australia, the United States, and Ireland. They are the descendants of John Geoghegan and not of any O’Neill, and what makes it more confusing is that many will be tested positive for the SNP R-M222, and believe to be true O’Neill’s. When those that are of the Royal House of O’Neill’s are the descendants, of one Niall Glundubh Mac Áedo, and not Niall of the Nine Hostages.

This is just another added puzzle, of the O’Neill’s that needs to be solved. I highly doubt many of the O’Neill’s will try to find out unless they really care to know the truth.

NOTE: Among those O’Neill’s tested within the R1b SNP’s we find.

1.  O’Neill’s of the SNP L21/S145/M529 R1b1a2a1a1b4 4,000 ybp.

2.  O’Neill’s of the SNP S28/U152 R1b1a2a1a1b3 3,500 ybp.

3.  O’Neill’s of the SNP M222 R1b1a2a1a1b4b 3,000 ybp.

4.  O’Neill’s of the SNP P312/S116 R1b1b2a1b 5,300 ybp.

5.  O’Neill’s of the SNP L2/S139 R1b1a2a1a1b3c 2,500 ybp.

6.  Neely/O’Neill’s of the SNP M405/S21/U106 R1b1a2a1a1a 3,500 ybp.

7.  O’Neill’s of Puerto Rico SNP L48/S162 R1b1a2a1a1a5c. 

O’Neill R1b Haplogroups: I By M.O’Neill

Among those O’Neill’s tested within the R1b SNP’s we find.

1.   O’Neill’s of the SNP L21/S145/M529 R1b1a2a1a1b4 4,000 ybp estimated circa 1990 B.C.

2.   O’Neill’s of the SNP S28/U152     R1b1a2a1a1b3 3,500 ybp estimated circa 1480 B.C.

3.   O’Neill’s of the SNP M222 R1b1a2a1a1b4b 3,000 ybp estimated circa 1480 B.C.

4.   O’Neill’s of the SNP P312/S116 R1b1b2a1b 5,300 ybp estimated circa 3280 B.C.

5.   O’Neill’s of the SNP L2/S139 R1b1a2a1a1b3c 2,500 ybp estimated circa 489 B.C.

6.   Neely/O’Neill’s of the SNP M405/S21/U106 R1b1a2a1a1a 3,500 ybp estimated circa 1480 B.C.

7.   O’Neill’s of Puerto Rico SNP L48/S162 R1b1a2a1a1a5c. 

R1b1a2a1a1b4 R-L21/ M529/ S145 are mostly found in England and Ireland and among the majority of O'Neill.

Its 1^st sub clade R1b1a2a1a1b4b R-M222 is associated with the Irish and Scottish, but especially the northern Irish. Often associated with the Uí Néill dynasty Niall of the Nine Hostages closely related to the Connacht dynasties, the Uí Briúin, and the Uí Fiachrach.

The 2^nd sub clade is R1b1a2a1a1b4f R-L159.2 associated with the Kings of Leinster and Diarmait Mac Murchada. It’s found among those tested in the coastal areas of the Irish Sea, the Isle of Man, the Hebrides, Norway, western and southern Scotland, northern and southern England, northeast France, and northern Denmark.

The 3^rd sub clade is R1b1a2a1a1b4g R-L193 estimated to be 2,000 years old, and associated geographically with the western "Border Region" of Scotland. I’ve yet to see any O’Neill’s tested for this SNP.

The 4^th sub clade is R1b1a2a1a1b4h R-L226 referred to as Irish Type III; it is concentrated in central western Ireland and associated with the Dál gCais of Ireland. I’ve not see any O’Neill’s test positive for this SNP, but very likely once more in the coined phrase “O’Neill Variety” get tested many will likely end up part of this SNP.

The SNP R1b1a2a1a1a M405/S21/U106 is an estimated 3,500 ybp circa 1480 B.C. and found in the geographical regions of Frisia, Benelux, England, Austria, and northern Italy. It’s referred as a Western Germanic SNP and associated with the Germanic tribes. Only way this SNP which is not found with frequency in Ireland is part of the O’Neill’s is either through a Celt – Germanic tribe like the Belgae ,or the Menapii both recorded in Ireland anciently , or a NPE involving the French Normans, Anglo – Saxons, Danes, or Vikings. The O’Neill history has had enough of a dubious genealogy and several NPE (Non Paternal Events) that anything is possible.

These West Germanic tribes were called the Ingvaeones "People of Yngvi", as described in Tacitus's Germania, written circa 98 B.C. These were a cultural group living along what we know now as the North Sea, and its coastal areas of Jutland, Holstein, Frisia, and the Danish islands. By the 1^st century they became known as the Frisii, Saxons, Jutes and Angles. Could have any of these ancient tribes have made into Ireland anciently? Yes, but the lack of this SNP among the O’Neill’s could suggest a core Royal group of O’Neill’s, or a Non Paternal Event.

The SNP L48/S162 R1b1a2a1a1a5c (A sub clade of the R1b1a2a1a1a M405/S21/U106), it’s only to date found among the O’Neill’s in Puerto Rico is said to be of an Eastern Germanic origin. Some theories believe that the East Germanics constituted of migrants who may have moved from Scandinavia into the area between the Oder and Vistula rivers circa 600 and 300 B.C. Later they went into Southern Europe, and it would be very unlikely that they migrated into Ireland during 600 and 300 B.C.

The SNP S28/U152 R1b1a2a1a1b3     found among those of origins in the Rhine, Meuse & Rhône basins, Alps, and North Italy. The theory is that its origins are in the Hallstatt-La Tène cultures and it’s an indication of an Alpine Celtic origin.

The SNP L2/S139 R1b1a2a1a1b3c     is mainly found in Italy, Germany, Belgium, Britain, Ireland, and Norway. The theory is that it’s of an Alpine Celtic origin.

Note:

Maybe one day when the Clannaboy O’Neill’s, the O’Neill’s of Fews, and others who claim to be of the Royal House of O’Neill get the courage to come forward with a y-dna sample we will either have new answers or new questions. The best way to find the truth is by an independent testing of the ancient O’Neill’s remains.

These clowns waste their time with associations and clan chiefs reunions instead of doing and researching for the truth of the O’Neill’s. But the reality maybe is that they know the truth already, and will not make it public, since either it will give others legitimacy, and just make themselves insignificant in the grand scale of things. Whatever their true reasons they won’t be taken seriously by many.

Last of our kind: part II By M.O’Neill

It’s been over 300 years that the progenitor and founder of the O’Neill’s of Puerto Rico Don Juan O’Neill arrived on the island, The O’Neill’s of Puerto Rico are currently of the SNP L48/S162: R1b1a2a1a1a5c with a unique haplotype only found among the majority of the O’Neill’s of Puerto Rico (descendants of Don Juan O’Neill) This looks to be the last of a long bloodline with only a certain few people that match mutations on their Haplotype and they with origins from in Yorkshire, England.

All roads lead to a search of the history of Yorkshire and how it relates to our origins. In the late 5th century and early 6th century the tribe of the Angles from the Schleswig-Holstein peninsula subjugated the whole of Eastern Yorkshire circa 560. During the late 700’s A.D. the Danish Vikings crossed the North Sea and plundered the coast of Northumbria.

Circa the mid-9^th century the Yngling King Ragnar Lodbrok led the Danes into Northumbria, but was captured by the Angles and accounts say in a snake pit. In 865 his eldest son Ivar the Boneless landed on East Anglia, where they slew King Edmund the Martyr. Then Danes/ Ynglings headed north and took York in 866.

We do know that the Swedish Munsö dynasty also did become overlords of Jórvík, due to a promised loyalty to the Munsö Kings of Dublin by the Danes in England.

It all comes down to the Anglo-Saxon Chronicles A.D. 921 clearly stating:

This year King Edward repaired the town of Gladmouth; and the same year King Sihtric slew Neil his brother.

For those who have not read my other post on the blog Sihtric Ua Ímair (Sihtric Cáech): 917–921 Killed Niall Glundubh. Sihtric and was also the king of Jórvík what is now Yorkshire, England. The Uí Ímair, or the Dynasty of Ivar, were an enormous royal and imperial Norse dynasty who ruled over Northern England, the Irish Sea region and Kingdom of Dublin, and the western coast of Scotland, including the Hebrides, from the mid-9th century, losing control of the first in the mid-10^th. This male line is said to be extinct, yet they married among the Ui Neill. The progenitor Ivar is described in the Irish annals as the brother of Amlaíb Conung and Auisle.

Those who have read my previous post:

The Annals of the Four Masters record in 860 that “Aedh Finnlaith son of Niall Caille and Flann son of Conang went with the lord of the foreigners to plunder Meath”, and the Annals of Ulster record in 863 that "Three kings of the foreigners, Amlaib and Imar and Auisle plundered the land of Flann, son of Conaing, and Lorcan son of Cathal king of Mide was with them in this". There is no dispute that alliances and marriages happened among the Vikings and the Irish in these times. Then things get interesting when the son of the man that killed Niall Glundubh mac Áedo, Amlaíb mac Sihtric is the brother in law of Domhnall Ardmacha Ua Neill, who was the High King of Ireland from 956 to 980, and was the son of Muirchertach mac Neill, and the grandson of Niall Glundubh mac Áedo, and the MRCA of the MacLochlainns and Royal O’Neill’s. He is believed to have been the first to use O’Neill as a surname, for those who do not know Amlaíb mac Sihtric,he was born circa 927 died circa 981; also known as Óláfr Sigtryggsson, Óláfr kváran, but commonly called Amlaíb Cuarán, was a 10th century Norse-Gael who was king of Northumbria and king of Dublin. He had a son named Glúniairn Járnkné (“Iron Knee"), son of his wife Dúnlaith, daughter of Muirchertach mac Néill, and sister of Domhnall Ardmacha Ua Neill.

  

We will never know the true genetic make-up of the O’Neill’s and the Irish population before the 1600’s, since the total population was reduced by plague, famine, war, genocide, immigration of soldiers etc. This makes it harder to find any matches in Ireland assuming that our ancestor left any descendants in Ireland at all, and highly doubt that they did at all. The only three ways this theory can be proven is by one of the males O’Neill’s of the Clannaboy and the Fews come forward with a y-dna sample , and the other is two obtain the y-dna samples from the ancient O’Neill’s . The last one is by some miracle a y-dna sample is obtained from the remains of a medieval Norse, or Dane Viking and the y-dna matches ours Haplotype and SNP. 

At this point of the search! By M.O’Neill

Unlike other O’Neill’s of various claims that jockey to position themselves to be the descendant of this person, or another with their illusions of grandeur. The majority does have a common progenitor, and in the future that will either make them or break them. I can careless what many of these O’Neill’s wish to be or claim to be and this is why it’s a blessing that no other O’Neill can claim to our relative or any other surname either. Again these other O’Neill’s do no matter at all unless they are related to the O’Neill’s of Puerto Rico. This is why we must remain independent from any association, or group, and just wait to see how the chips fall. Our y-dna SNP and Haplotype are public, our genealogy, oral history, and the O’Neill’s of Puerto Rico are now well known at this point. Everything has been laid out of the table and nothing has been hidden, for the world to see, and this is more than I can say for many other O’Neill’s, and they know who they are.

What we do know is that the main group of O’Neill’s of Puerto Rico is of a Germanic origin due to its progenitors’ y-dna SNP. And it’s well known that the main groups of O’Neill’s of Puerto Rico have no known kindred or relatives outside of those who are the direct descendants of Don Juan O’Neill in Puerto Rico. There is no relation with the O’Neill’s of Puerto Rico and any other O’Neill in the United States, Australia and Ireland.

A mistake that is not noted by some is that there is no blood relation with the O’Neill’s of Puerto Rico and the Fews of Asturias and Seville. Unless one of their males takes a y-dna test and matches us and that is very unlikely. The only relation at the moment is due to the fact that they also lived in Puerto Rico and in St. Croix, and the last will and document of Don Jose O’Neill the grandson of Don Juan O’Neill stating that upon his death that Don Arturo O’Neill must do a Catholic religious ritual. Outside of that there is no relation with the main branch of the O’Neill’s of Puerto Rico, and the O’Neill’s of the Fews, or the Clannabuidhe O’Neill’s of Portugal. There may be other O’Neill’s on the island that maybe related to the O’Neill’s of the Fews, but that up to them to find out, if they are related, or not, at this point of my ten year search my focus is only on those O’Neill’s that have y-dna tested and the descendants of Don Juan O'Neill.

At the moment the current SNPs tested are the following L148- L48+ P107- U106+ U198- Soon I will be testing for the SNPs L44, L47, and other new SNPs to further place the O’Neill’s of Puerto Rico in a unique solo standing among all other O’Neill’s and in a position to find in the future an ancient tribal origin to the progenitor of Don Juan O'Neill.

If there are no current y-dna matches to the progenitor of the O’Neill’s of Puerto Rico very likely there will be a less percentage in the odds in finding any other O’Neill outside those on the island to match this bloodline. When further test results are shown and with this bloodlines’ unique haplotype it’s very unlikely that any O’Neill in Ireland, Australia, Canada, or the United States will be found or be related to us.

Our best hopes to find any y-dna matches are in Spain where there are plenty of O’Neill’s that do not know of their origins. The regions of Asturias, Catalonia, and Palma Mallorca are places that their maybe O’Neill’s who are related to us. I also have narrowed down that on the region of the Baltic Sea, and on the islands near Jutland we will find some y-dna matches in the future.