Domhnaill

The Domhnaills, or MacDonalds of Clan Donald, were a Norse-Gaelic kindred of the Hebrides descended from Somerled, killed at Renfrew in 1164. They took their name from his grandson Dòmhnall Mac Raghnuill, who died about 1250. Norse vassals, they passed to the Scottish crown after Largs in 1263 and the Treaty of Perth; Aonghus Óg of Islay fought for Robert the Bruce at Bannockburn in 1314.

His grandson Donald of Islay, Lord of the Isles, claimed Ross by marriage and fought the regent at Harlaw in 1411. The MacDonalds held Ross from 1437 until John of Islay surrendered it in 1475.

James IV forfeited the Lordship of the Isles in 1493; Domhnall Dubh's risings failed by 1545, leaving branches holding of the crown. Glencoe MacDonalds were massacred in their beds in 1692; MacDonalds rose in the Jacobite causes of 1715 and 1745.