Is Neil short for anything?
Yes. Neil is a nickname in most old records, and it usually points to Cornelius. Less often it stands in for Niall. Expect it in Irish, Scottish, and American records, mostly 1700s-1900s. A record that says Neil and a record that says Cornelius can easily be the same person, so search both names before you rule anyone out.
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FAQs
Is Neil a nickname?+
In old records, almost always - it stands for Cornelius or Niall. Treat it as a pointer to a formal name until the documents prove otherwise.
Is Neil a real name on its own?+
It mostly rode on Cornelius in the eras we track (1700s-1900s). If your ancestor's papers only ever say Neil, record it as written and keep Cornelius as a candidate.
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