The Irish surname McConnell, also found in Scotland, is an anglicized form of the Gaelic name Mac Conaill meaning “son of Conall,” a personal name probably composed of the elements con, an inflected form of cú meaning “hound, or wolf,” and gal meaning “valor.” This was borne by many early chieftains and warriors of Ireland, including the Ulster hero Conall Cearnach, and one of the two sons of Niall of the Nine Hostages, who gave his name to Tir Conaill “Conall’s land,”otherwise known as County Donegal. It was further popularized by the fame of a 7th-century Irish saint, abbot of Inis Caoil. The name is most frequently found in counties Donegal, Down and Tyrone, all in the north of Ireland.