This is a short explanation of the origins of the McNicholl name.

The information was collected from various documents in Liverpool Central Library.

MacNicol - Other forms of the name according to the 'Rental Book of Cupar-Angus', 1879 are: McNichole, McNicholl, McNicoll, Maknichol, Maknicoll and Maknycholl.

Origin from the Gaelic MacNeacail.                  Motto: Sgorra Bhreac.
Plant Badge: Trailing Azalea.                            Crest Badge: A Hawk's Head, Erased, Gules.

        The name means 'Son of Nicol'. Nicol is from the Latin Nicolas, which is from the Greek Nixolas meaning 'Conquering People'. A small sept of MacNicols in Western Sutherland and in Skye are now generally called Nicolson.

        In the old statistical account, the Rev William MacKenzie, in description of Assynt writes: "Tradition and even documents declare that it was a forest of the ancient Thanes of Sutherland. One of these Prince Thanes gave it in vassalage to one Mackrycul, who in ancient times held the coast of Coygach, that part of it at the place presently called Ullapool." Mackrycul has been identified as the Gregall mentioned in the genealogy of the MacNicols in the Manuscript of 1450, and on the marriage of Torquil MacLeod to the daughter of the last MacNicol chief, the lands of Assynt passed to the MacLeods.

        When Assynt passed to the MacLeods, the Clan MacNicol appear to have emigrated to Skye, where the MacLeods had extensive possessions, and the lands of Scorrybeck and Portree were in possession of MacNicol or Nicolsons for several centuries. The Clan played an important part in the history of Skye and from time to time their names appear in local records. MacNicoll in Portree in Skye formed one of 'The Council of MacDonald' of the Isles at Island Finloggan in Islay. A half part of the land of Fortar in Angus was let to one Maknychol in 1470.

        Further records are; Gilbert McNicol was a charter witness in 1533 and Thomas Maknicoll was a witness in Glasgow in 1533. Malcolmuill McNicholl is on record in 1585; John McNicol in Glenfalloch in 1638, and Nicoll McNicoll in Galdanach in 1672.

        There was also a strong branch of the MacNicolls resident in Argyllshire.

        The Highland MacNeacails may be of Norse origin. Records show: M'Nychol 1561, M'Nycholl 1557, M'Nychole 1546 and M'Niccoll 1695. In Arran, MacNeacail is pronounced 'Ac Riocail'.