Helps explain even my own confusion on are we Irish, more Irish than Scot, Scot or something completely different.
“Derived from: Gaelic MacDomhnuill – “son of Donald (world ruler)”. Angus Mor MacDonald, son of Donald MacRanald MacSomerled, was first of the name. Originally the title of the Lords of the Isles, in the 16th cen. it started being used as a last name by those who could claim to be a “son of Donald”. The MacDonnell & MacConnell spellings are mostly found in Clan Donald SOUTH, while MacDonell is mainly GLENGARRY, but more anciently KEPPOCH. The MacDaniel derivations are not territorial but are simply due to “free” spelling by clerks, census takers, ships captains, etc., particularly in the American South. There is absolutely no difference in Mac, Mc or even M’, and any of these spellings, even with a big D or a little d, may be found today in any of our main branches.”
From: http://www.scotclans.com/scottish-clans/clan-macdonald/macdonald-septs/
