O'Donnell Name History
O'Donnell Coat of Arms
O'Donnell (Irish: Ó Dónaill or Ó Domhnaill) is derived from the forename Domhnall (meaning "world ruler"). The O'Donnells were an ancient and powerful Irish family, kings, princes, and lords of Tír Chonaill (rendered in English as Tyrconnell or Tyrconnel, known today as County Donegal) in early times, and the chief allies and sometimes rivals of the O'Neills in Ulster.
The O'Donnell motto is "In Hoc Signo Vinces" which means "Victorious with the Sign of the Cross."
Variant spellings of the Irish surname O'Donnell include O'Donald, O'Donle, O'Donall, and others.
How to find out more about the O'Donnell family crest
We are proud to offer two items that may shed more light on the O'Donnell family coat of arms and history in Ireland. Our Framed Irish Family Name History (#1760) and Framed Irish Coat of Arms & Family History (#1700) provide more details about the O'Donnell family in Ireland. These beautiful framed documents will be treasured in the O'Donnell family for years to come.
Find other O'Donnell coat of arms products on the Irish Coat of Arms page.
The O'Donnell pubs in Ireland
We found a number of pubs that bear the O'Donnell family name in Ireland. Don't forget to visit the next time you go.
- O'Donnell's in Glanworth, County Cork
- O'Donnell's in Bennettsbridge, County Kilkenny
- O'Donnell's Bar in Meenaneary, Carrick, County Donegal
- O'Donnell's Bar Cliffoney, in Cliffoney, County Sligo
If you can't visit in person, our personalized pub gifts are the next best thing!
Notable people named O'Donnell
Academia
- Edward J. O'Donnell (1909-1986), President of Marquette University (1948-1962)
- Guillermo O'Donnell, Argentinian academic
- Hugo O'Donnell, Duke of Tetuan, Spanish naval historian, and Knight of Malta
- James J. O'Donnell, classical scholar and Provost of Georgetown University
- Patrick Denis O'Donnell, (1922-2005), Irish military historian
Entertainment and the arts
- Cathy O'Donnell, American actress, originally Ann Steely
- Chris O'Donnell, American actor
- Daniel O'Donnell (singer), Irish musician
- Heather O'Donnell, American concert pianist
- Keir O'Donnell, Australian actor living in Los Angeles
- Lawrence O'Donnell, American television host of The Last Word with Lawrence O'Donnell, political analyst and writer
- Martin O'Donnell, Audio Director for Bungie Studios
- Michael O'Donnell, British physician and broadcaster
- Rosie O'Donnell, American actress and television hostess
- Steve O'Donnell, American television scriptwriter
- Steven O'Donnell (actor, presenter), Australian television presenter and actor
Journalism
- Norah O'Donnell, American journalist
- Kelly O'Donnell, American journalist
Literature
- Elliott O'Donnell, Irish author
- Lisa O'Donnell, Scottish writer
- Mietta O'Donnell (1950-2001), Australian restaurateur and food writer
- Peadar O'Donnell, Irish political activist and writer
- Peter O'Donnell, British fiction writer
- Terence O'Donnell, American writer
Medicine
- Barry O'Donnell, Irish surgeon
- Pacho O'Donnell, Argentinian psychoanalyst
Nobility
- Calvagh O'Donnell, (d. 1566), The O'Donnell, 22nd Chieftain, and Lord of Tyrconnell
- Elizabeth O'Donnell, (1604-c.1630), 1st Countess of Fingall
- Henry Joseph O'Donnell, Count of La Bisbal, (1769-1834), Irish-Spanish nobleman, Spanish general
- Hugh O'Donnell, 2nd Earl of Tyrconnell (1606-1642)
- Manus O'Donnell, The O'Donnell, 21st Chieftain, King of Tyrconnell, and biographer of St Colmcille
- Maximilian Karl Lamoral O'Donnell, Hiberno-Austrian Count, saved life of Emperor Franz Josef I
- Niall Garve O'Donnell, (1569 - 1626)
- Red Hugh O'Donnell I, The O'Donnell, Prince of Tyrconnell
- Red Hugh O'Donnell II, (1572-1601), The O'Donnell, 24th Chieftain, Prince of Tyrconnell
- Rory O'Donnell, 1st Earl of Tyrconnell, (1575-1608)
Politics
- Christine O'Donnell, American politician and social and political commentator
- Daniel O'Donnell (politician), American legislator from the state of New York
- Francis Martin O'Donnell, Irish UN diplomat and Knight of Malta
- Frank Hugh O'Donnell, 1846-1916, nationalist MP
- Hugh Roe O'Donnell, Irish Rebel
- James O'Donnell (politician), (1840 - 1915), American politician from Michigan
- Kenneth O'Donnell, American politician
- Lawrence O'Donnell, American political analyst, writer, and host of The Last Word with Lawrence O'Donnell
- Leopoldo O'Donnell, (1809-1867), 1st Duke of Tetuan, and former Prime Minister of Spain
- Phil O'Donnell, IRA volunteer from Derry
- Sir Gus O'Donnell, Cabinet Secretary (chief civil servant), British Government
- Thomas E. O'Donnell, activist in the New York Draft Riots
- Thomas O'Donnell, M.P., (1871-1943), Irish Nationalist MP for West Kerry
- Tom O'Donnell, former Irish politician
Religion
- Cletus F. O'Donnell, American Roman Catholic bishop
- Edmund O'Donnell, Irish Jesuit
- Edward Joseph O'Donnell, American Roman Catholic bishop
- James O'Donnell (organist), current organist of Westminster Abbey
- Patrick O'Donnell, (1856-1927), Cardinal Archbishop of Armagh
Sport
- Danny O'Donnell, English footballer
- Gary O'Donnell, Australian-rules footballer
- Luke O'Donnell, Australian International Rugby League Player
- Neil O'Donnell, former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback
- Phil O'Donnell, Scottish footballer
- Sean O'Donnell, Canadian Hockey Player
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