I've checked for abbots of Iona named Neil and found none (no Nigello's either). However, someone pointed out Sleibine A.D. 752-765. Here's the new transcript of MS 1467, starting with Laumon working back: Ladhmann Son of Gille Colaim (Archibald) Son of (?) Son of Fearchar Son of Duinnshleibhe Son of Aodh (Buirce) Son of Anradhain Son of Flaithbheartach Son of Constantine Son of ...?... Muireadhach Son of Donald Son of Gille Criost Son of Murchadh (Gille Dubh) Son of black-haired Niall, abbot of Iona There are 13 generations between Ladhmann and Niall, or possibly 14 if the Son of ...?... Muireadhach Represents 2 generations and not 1. Ladhmann was alive in 1235 and dead by 1296. Using 30 years per generation we get 14 x 30 = 420 years. If we use 35 years instead of 30, we get 490 years. 1235 - 14 x 30 = 815 1235 - 14 x 35 = 745 So 752-765 is a bit of a stretch, but not ridiculous. In searching for the past abbots of Iona, I came across a document housed on the Oxford Dictionary Biography site (I think that's what it's called). It gives a little information about Sleibine. He was called Sleibine mac Congaile. Other sources suggest he was Cenel Connail. This one may too, but I haven't read all of it. What I did find in the article though, is a reference to Cain Adomnain, the 'law of Adomnan'. Bells rang. Cain means Law. Laumon/Ladhmann/Lagman Cain/McCain/McCann/McKane An etymological link between Lamont and McCain? Surely not? But now look at http://dl.dropbox.com/u/2733445/DYS446%3D15.csv These are the M222 haplotypes with DYD446=15 (the modal value is 13). There are 14 in all so far. Lamont and Paterson match 66/67. Both have DYD439=13 as do the Cains & variants (of which there are 4). And there are 2 Slavens present as well. One of them has DYS439=13, the other one doesn't. However, it seems that the mutation to 13 is recent, so we should treat that one as a spurious match. Still, Slavens is not far from Lamont/Paterson. Slavens=Sleibine? (or possibly a shortened version of the later Duinnshleibhe?) Lamont and Cain linked etymologically? Of course the flaw in this version is that it's difficult to figure out how Sleibine mac Congaile becomes black-haired Neill. Anyway, I need help with something. I know popes get to choose their own name when they become a pope. Does the same perhaps apply to abbots? I think Sleibine was a saint. Are saints always called by their given name, or are they sometimes re-named? Sandy