O'Neill dynasty: Difference between revisions

 

After the fall of the O'Neill kingship, many MacShanes followed their cousins into military service in Spain and France and even served in the Irish regiments with their family and former enemies, the descendants of Hugh Rua O'Neill, the 2nd Earl. By the end of the 17th century, the Earl's line failed in exile, and the "Mac Shane" line legally inherited the chiefship and title.<ref>Micheline Kearney Walsh (1988). "The Last Earls of Tyrone in Spain". Seanchas Ardmhacha: Journal of the Armagh Diocesan Historical Society. 13 (1): 33–58. The last mention of a Conde de Tyrone is in 1691, and Walsh concludes that he died not long thereafter.</ref> This line is presently in remainder to the Gaelic Principality and Earldom of Tyrone, the Viscountcy of [[Montjuich]],<ref>The O' Neills in Spain, Spanish Knights of Irish Origin, Destruction by Peace, Micheline Kerney Walsh. The Irish Sword, Vol 4–11</ref> and various lordships around Ulster.<ref>The Will of John O'Neill, 3rd Count of Tyrone, Micheline Walsh, 1970 p. 30</ref> Further, with the [[Oireachtas]] act of March 2015, which reversed the Attainder of Shane O'Neill from 1569,<ref>The Belfast Newsletter, Thursday 12 March 2015</ref> the family have the recognized legal rights to the historical legacy and incorporeal property of [[Conn Bacach O'Neill]], Shane the Proud, and [[Hugh O'Neill, Earl of Tyrone]].{{cn|date=May 2023}}

 

In the early 18th century, in an effort to retain property, many McShane families began to translate their surname from the Gaelic "Son of John" or "Mc Shane" to the English "Son of John"<ref>Irish Names and Surnames by Rev. Patrick Woulfe, 1923</ref> or Johnson. A good example is Major General [[Sir William Johnson]], Bt. His father had been born a McShane but translated his name, allowing his son to succeed to his uncles properties. By the early-19th century most of the official documents fail to show any McShane families in their former territory as all of them had converted to the surname Johnson. However, by the 20th century, many of the Irish branches were returning to the Gaelic name. Today the clan recognizes McShane, Johnson, Johnston, and Shane as elements of the family and are still active and viable in Ulster, America, and Australia. The family leadership today is directly descended from Shane's son Conn, to his son [[Hugh McShane O'Neill]] and is closely involved in the greater O'Neill clan activities and their present chief takes part in the Association of O'Neill Clans and is on the O'Neill family council.{{cn|date=May 2023}}