The MacNeils of Barra and the McNeills of Gigha are Celtic, and Gigha is reckoned “eldest cadet” of Barra who descends from” Neil of the Nine Hostages," High King of Ireland. The Clan came to Barra early in the eleventh century. The earliest mention of a charter to a MacNeil of Barra-named Gilleonan is of date 1427.
Gilleonan, the 9th of Barra, is on record in 1545. The Chapel of St. Barr was the burial place of the MacNeils of Barra. In 1587 Queen Elizabeth complained that Roderick MacNeil of Barra had seized an English ship. Roderick did not appear at Edinburgh when summoned, but he was captured by MacKenzie of Kintail, and conveyed to Edinburgh. Barra was forfeited and given to Kintail.
The superiority of Barra passed to Sir James MacDonald of Sleat until 1688. In 1650 MacNeil of Barra was among the “Scottish Colonells of Horsse." In 1688 Roderick MacNeil, 14th of Barra, obtained a Crown charter of Barra, making it a free barony. Several MacNeils named Roderick succeeded.
In 1840 Barra was sold to Colonel John Gordon of Cluny. The 25th Chief, Robert Lister MacNeil of Barra, recovered the island of Barra and Kismull Castle, the island fortress and home of the chiefs.

Chief: The MacNeil of Barra.
Patronymic: MacNeill.
Clan Seat: Kismull Castle, Isle of Barra
Slogan: Buaidh-no-Bas.
Plant: Dryas.