Members of the O’Neill Clan (anglicized from Ui Néill, “Néill” meaning “champion”) can trace their origins back to
Niall Noígíallach “of the Nine Hostages” (c. 361-452). Niall united all the provinces under his rule, using hostages as a way to get power and influence. He also was up for a spot of kidnapping and that’s how the Welsh lad with Roman parents – a lad whom we now know as St. Patrick – ended up in Ireland. Niall was known as the Irish Genghis Khan of his day; geneticists at Trinity College believe that he may have up to three million descendants worldwide! He is said to have had 18 sons with 10 different women and counted 59 grandsons in his male line alone.