Neil

Neil is an anglicized form of the Old Irish name Niall, whose meaning is disputed but most commonly interpreted as champion or cloud. The name was borne by the legendary Irish high king Niall of the Nine Hostages, whose descendants, the Uí Néill dynasty, dominated early medieval Ireland and spread the name widely throughout Scotland and beyond. Norse settlers in Ireland borrowed the name as Njáll, giving rise to the Icelandic saga hero Njáll of Njáls saga. Related forms include Neal, Niall, Neill, and the Latinized Nigellus, which produced the surname-derived given name Nigel.