My husband is an O'Neil who has been passionately researching his family tree for many years. His family came to Liverpool in the early 1900s from New York City and before that they originated in Cashelisky just outside Clonakilty in County Cork. The British and American branches of the family have been in touch on and off for the best part of 60 years and soon he's off to meet his cousins in Maryland, New York City and Ohio.
The O'Neils prospered in the States and founded O'Neils Department Stores, General Tire and today the business is known as GenCorp.
The history was part of the inspiration for my piece The Hand of O'Neil
Here's some links I thought I'd share:
History of the M. O'Neil Department Store
History of General Tire
History of GenCorp
Official site of GenCorp