[3] Members of the clan actually pronounced and spelled their name M'Connall due to the Gaelic pronunciation of the name Mac Domhnuill thus giving rise to the surname McConnell and its variants.

The founder of Clan Donald of Dunnyveg and the Glens was Eòin Mòr Tànaiste Mac Dhòmhnaill who was the second son of John MacDonald also known as Good John of Islay, Lord of the Isles, 6th chief of Clan Donald and 1st Lord of the Isles through his marriage to Margaret Stewart.

This was in support of their cousin Alexander of Islay, Earl of Ross and chief of Clan Donald, 3rd Lord of the Isles, who was then imprisoned at Tantallon Castle by James I.

In 1565 under Sorley Boy MacDonnell, Clan Donald of Antrim and Dunnyveg fought the Battle of Glentasie against Shane O'Neill in Ireland.

Sorley Buy swore allegiance to James IV of Scotland and his fourth son Ranald was made Randal MacDonnell, 1st Earl of Antrim by Queen Elizabeth.

However, during the Civil War the lands were back in the hands of the MacDonalds briefly when they were supporters of James Graham, 1st Marquess of Montrose.

A notable member of the Clan MacDonald of Dunnyveg is Alasdair Mac Colla who is famed for his victories with the Royalist James Graham, 1st Marquess of Montrose during Scottish Civil War of the 1640s.