Can someone give me information on the surname NEAL i.e., where is the name predominant in Ireland. I suspect, without proof, that it is best found in County CORK. Thanks, Jack San Diego

Hi Jack in San Diego -- In the 1848-64 Primary Valuation in Ireland there were NEAL households in 26 Irish counties. Co. Cork had the most at 86 (interestingly, Cork city had only 1); Co. Tipperary had 20; Cos. Wexford and Wicklow each with 13, Cos. Cavan and Westmeath with 11; Cos. Down and Derry with 10, etc... You can find out more at http://www.ireland.com/ancestor/ regarding history behind the surname, many variations, etc. O'NEILL was the most common at 2,720 households primarily in Cos. Tyrone and Antrim ... NEILL followed with 2,578 households, most commonly in Cos. Cork, Kilkenny, Carlow, Wexford, Wicklow .... Many variations, check the website for others than mentioned here. O'NEAL was principally found principally in Co. Longford with 8, followed by Co. Down with 5 ... McNEAL principally in Co. Roscommon ... NEALE principally in Co. Cork ... NEALL principally in Co. Tipperary ... McNEALE principally in Co. Down ... If you had a NEAL marriage in Ireland with a known second surname, try adding the latter surname when prompted at the Ireland.com website to find in which particular counties (and parishes) both surnames were found during the primary valuation. This can be a good clue, as many couples met/married within their own parish. The Matheson survey of 1890 on distribution of surnames in Ireland (based on five or more births that year) showed that the province of Leinster had 7 NEAL births; Ulster had 2; Munster had 1; and Connaught had none. Please check my figures and find out more at the aforementioned website. Jean ----- Original Message ----- From: "John Joseph" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Friday, April 13, 2007 6:16 PM Subject: [IGW] Surname NEAL > Can someone give me information on the surname NEAL i.e., where is the > name predominant in Ireland. I suspect, without proof, that it is best > found in County CORK. > > Thanks, > > Jack > San Diego