Origins and Rise of Clan MacLeod of Lewis with Dr. Aonghas MacCoinnich

[@ewonnestrand7298]

What was the name of Shield? Torkel, Torkild eller Tage? If I heard right it sounds very Nors.

[@thescottishclans]

You're correct, the Gaelic name of the MacLeods of Lewis is Sìol Torcaill meaning seed of Torkill. Torkill is indeed a Norse name, as is Leod.

[@threezerol944t]

The Nicolsons of the borders were another branch of clan MacNeacail/MacNicol. Also Nixon. There are dozens of variations. The MacNicol's of Scorrybreac were from Lewis. Lewis was taken in a shady marriage from MacNicol according to the clan society. MacDonald and MacLeod paternal DNA is testing out mostly Norse. The pictish and Gaelic lines are maternal.The MacNicol DNA project is proving largely r1b and Celtic haplogroups. I'm a Nixon, my haplogroup is p312. I think the story of clan MacNeacail could shed some light on your supposition that highland, and lowland cultures weren't so binary, and cut and dry. According to the clan society, as we were pushed to Scorrybreac, and South the spelling changed, and also they say the chief sent warriors to ravage the coast, and ended up on the border. Over the centuries it would seem they became less and less associated. It would explain why Nixon and nicolson were a loose band, but never officially a sept of Armstrong. Because they were already loosely clan MacNeacail, but distant by then. Splintered throughout the isles. Eventually, many of us ended up in the colonies. This is why they feuded with MacLeods.

[@ailenepace8262]

Sorry, friend. You need to go back to the drawing board. You have completely missed the train. The MacDonalds were never at Ila or Kintyre. They were the lords of Skye from the beginning. The sons of Load were given titles to the lands on Skye by the fake king of Scotland, Malcombe IV. B. Howard, MG, Professional Genealogist and Historian.

[@thescottishclans]

Has this genealogist published anything I can read online? Any links you could share? Dr. Aonghas MacCoinnich is a very respected professor (yes, I have spoken with his colleagues). It would take some pretty compelling arguments to overturn what he shared. I'm sorry you didn't find this as edifying as I did.