Clan MacNeacail

Clan MacNeacail Clann MhicNeacail
Crest: A hawk's head erased Gules.
Motto	SGORR-A-BHREAC (Scorrybreac)
Slogan	Meminisse sed providere (Remember but look ahead)
Profile
District	Inner Hebrides
Plant badge	Juniper
Chief
John MacNeacail of MacNeacail and Scorrybreac
Chief of the Highland Clan MacNeacail
Seat	Ballina, New South Wales
Historic seat	Scorrybreac Castle[1] and Castle MacNicol (Stornoway Castle).[1]
Septs of Clan MacNeacail Clann MhicNeacail MacNeacail(l), MacNecail(l), MacNicael(l), MacNichel(l), MacNichel(l), MacNichel(l), MacNichol(s), MacNicholas, MacNicholl(s), MacNickel(s), MacNickell(s), MacNickle(s), MacNickol(s), MacNickoll(s), MacNicol(s), MacNicoll(s), MacReacail, MacRickle, MakNychol(l), McNichol(s), McNicol, McNicoll, MhicNeacail, M’Nychol(l), M’Nychole, Neclasson, Necole(s), Necolson, Nicail(l), Niccol(s), Niccoll(s), Nichael, Nichel(s), Nichoal, Nicholai, Nichol(s), Nicholas(s), Nicholaisen, Nicholassen, Nicholay, Nichold(s), Nichole(s), Nicholl(s), Nicholson(e), Nicholsoun, Nickal(s), Nickall(s), Nickel(s), Nickell(s), Nickelson, Nickerson, Nickisson, Nicklas(s), Nickle(s), Nickold(s), Nickole(s), Nickol(s), Nickoll(s), Nickolson, Nickson, Niclasson, Nicol(s), Nicolaisen, Nicoll(s), Nicollsoun, Nicolson, Niklesson, Niochol(l), Nix(on), Nuccle(s), Nuccol, Nuckall, Nuckel(s), Nuckelson, Nuckle, Nuckoll, Nucolsone, Nychol(l), Nycholay(i), Nycholson, Nycholsoun, Nycol(s), Nycoll(s)
Allied clans Clan Macdonald of Sleat Clan Sutherland
Rival clans Clan MacLeod of Lewis

Clan MacNeacail, sometimes known as Clan MacNicol, is a Scottish clan long associated with the Isle of Skye. Tradition states that, early in its history, the clan held the Isle of Lewis, as well as extensive territory on the north-western mainland. The earliest member of the clan on record is one 14th century John "mak Nakyl", who is recorded amongst Edward I of England's powerful West Highland supporters during the Wars of Scottish Independence. John Barbour's 1375 epic, The Brus, suggests that by 1316, the clan had switched allegiance to Robert I, and made a decisive intervention in the new theatre of Anglo-Scottish conflict in Ireland. The marriage of an heiress to the MacLeods of Lewis brought a severe loss of lands and power in the following generation, forcing the clan chiefs to relocate to the surviving estates on Skye. However, the MacNeacails retained local significant influence: serving, according to tradition, as members of the Council of the Lords of the Isles and as custodians of the cathedral church of the Western Isles at Snizort. In the 17th century, members of the clan began to Anglicise their surname from the Scottish Gaelic MacNeacail to various forms, such as Nicolson. Today the English variants of the Gaelic surname are borne by members of the clan as well as members of unrelated Scottish families, including the Lowland Clan Nicolson.