<P> Neil is a masculine given name of Gaelic origin . The name is an Anglicisation of the Irish Niall which is of disputed derivation . The Irish name may be derived from words meaning "cloud", "passionate", or "champion". As a surname, Neil is traced back to Niall of the Nine Hostages who was an Irish king and eponymous ancestor of the Uí Néill and MacNeil kindred . Most authorities cite the meaning of Neil in the context of a surname as meaning champion . </P> <P> The Gaelic name was adopted by the Vikings and taken to Iceland as Njáll (see Nigel). From Iceland it went via Norway, Denmark, and Normandy to England . It was first mistakenly being translated into Latin as Nigellus from Niger, meaning black . The name also entered Northern England and Yorkshire directly from Ireland, and from Norwegian settlers . Neal or Neall is the Middle English form of Nigel . </P>

What is the origin of the name neil