Explore Association news, Clan history, genealogy, Highland Games, member stories, and updates from across CMAA.
October is one of our twice-yearly membership renewal pushes, so September is a good time for a quick membership check-in. Whether you’ve been a member for years, recently renewed, or aren’t quite sure when your membership expires, take a few minutes to make sure your membership and contact information are up to date. Check Your
A Quick Membership Check In Read More »
CMAA Business
Labor Day weekend has become one of those markers on the American calendar that means several things at once. It is the unofficial end of summer, a three-day weekend, perhaps one last trip or cookout before September begins in earnest. But underneath all of that is something we rarely stop to think about: the idea
The MacNeil Who Helped Change the American Workday Read More »
Genealogy, Heritage, History
There are trips to Scotland, and then there are trips that bring you to places that are part of your own story. In August 2027, Clan MacNeil members, family, and friends will travel together from Edinburgh through the Outer Hebrides and the Highlands, with three nights on Barra and the Clan MacNeil Gathering at the
Returning to Scotland – The 2027 Clan MacNeil Gathering Read More »
Travel
Some opportunities come from inside Clan MacNeil USA. Others find us. Andrew Simpson, a doctoral candidate in Modern History at the University of St Andrews, reached out to CMAA looking for volunteers to help with two Scottish-history databases he is building. One focuses on people connected with the Jacobite risings from 1689 to 1746. The
Scottish History With a Side of Detective Work Read More »
History, Participation & Opportunities
Late summer brings Highland Games from Montana to Colorado, Tennessee, Virginia, Georgia, and New York. This roundup highlights Clan Macneil members who are hosting tents or competing on the field, along with familiar Clan stops whose 2026 attendance is still being worked out. For the complete and changeable list of dates and locations, always consult
Where to Find Clan Macneil in Late Summer 2026 Read More »
Highland Games
With the approval of President Kenny McNeil and Editor Vicki Corporon, our upcoming edition of The Galley will be a special commemorative issue: THE GALLEY America’s 250th Anniversary Special Edition The Scottish Story of America A Time Capsule from Clan Macneil USA Instead of general submissions, we are commissioning specific articles that fit a single
The Galley Goes to America’s 250th – Call for Writers Read More »
CMAA Business
Summer is coming, and so is one of our favorite traditions: the Clan MacNeil Ceilidh and Annual General Meeting, held each year in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. Friday, July 10, 2026 | 6:00 to 8:00 pm Banner Elk Presbyterian Church Banner Elk, North Carolina We gather in conjunction with the Grandfather
Join Us for Clan MacNeil’s 2026 Ceilidh and Annual General Meeting Read More »
CMAA Business, Highland Games
If you’ve already taken a Y-DNA test, that’s a great start—but the real power of DNA comes from numbers. More testers = more branches on the tree = more answers for all of us. This post is your call to action. Whether you’re a tested Macneil, a curious cousin, or someone with McNeill roots but
Growing the Clan Tree: Why We Need More Testers Read More »
DNA Research, Genealogy
Every family has a mystery. Maybe there’s a missing father in the records. A sudden surname change. A cousin with no known link. Or a family legend about being descended from Scottish nobility—but no proof. Y-DNA testing can help confirm or refute these mysteries. It’s not magic, but it’s one of the most powerful tools
Can DNA Solve a Mystery? Using Y-DNA for Brick Walls and Unknowns Read More »
DNA Research, Genealogy
If you’ve looked at Y-DNA testing, you’ve probably run into two common options: Y-37 and Big Y-700. But what’s the difference—and which one should you actually take? Let’s cut through the confusion and break it down. 🧪 The Two Tests: What They Do 🔹 Y-37 This is the starter test. It checks 37 short repeating
Big Y-700 vs. Y-37: Which Test Should You Take (and When)? Read More »
DNA Research, Genealogy
A message from your Clan MacNeil Deputy Commissioner of Western NY – “Rochester Bob” McNeill The Highland Games are coming, and I couldn’t be more excited to share that Clan MacNeil will be the Honored Clan at this year’s event in Lockport, New York! We’ve got a weekend of music, camaraderie, and celebration ahead—and I’d
Clan MacNeil to Be Honored at the 2025 AGM – Join Us in Lockport, NY! Read More »
CMAA Business, Highland Games
Joseph McNeil carries the McNeil name with honor through a remarkable life of service and courage. Born in 1942 in Wilmington, North Carolina, Joseph Alfred McNeil became a pivotal figure in the American Civil Rights Movement. As a college freshman, he helped spark nationwide change as one of the “Greensboro Four,” the group of African
Echoes of the Clan: Joseph Alfred McNeil’s Stand for Civil Rights Read More »
Heritage, History
Clan MacNeil’s rich heritage extends beyond those who bear the MacNeil/McNeill names. Across the centuries, several allied families, or septs, have shared in the history, traditions, and fighting spirit. Among these are surnames like MacGougan, MacGrail, and other lesser-known descendants who, though not always carrying the MacNeil surname, are part of the broader legacy of
MacGougan, MacGrail, and Other Septs: Their Place in Clan MacNeil Read More »
Genealogy, Heritage
The Macneil (and McNeill) name has traveled far beyond the shores of Barra, Colonsay, and Gigha. Today, descendants can be found across North America, Australia, and beyond. But how did they get there—and how can we track those movements? Thanks to centuries of preserved records, we can piece together the migratory paths of our ancestors
Tracking Macneil and McNeill Family Migrations Through Historical Records Read More »
Genealogy, History
Let’s simplify something that sounds complicated: haplogroups. If you’ve taken a Y-DNA test or looked into your Macneil or McNeill ancestry, you’ve probably seen terms like R-M269 or R-DF27 tossed around. These are haplogroups—but what are they? Let’s break it down so a 15-year-old (or your cousin who hates science) can understand. 🌳 What Is
What’s a Haplogroup? Understanding Your Place on the Tree of Mankind Read More »
DNA Research, Genealogy