Askell, son of Torquil, is mentioned as the last Norse ruler of Dublin in the Annals of Ulster. He met his end in Ireland in 1171, but his family had been relocated to the Isle of Man, then under Norse rule. His grandson, Gilbert MacAsgaill, was sent to the Isle of Skye at the head of an armed band to hold Dunsgaith Castle, first for the Kings of Man and later for the MacLeods of Dunvegan and Harris, which they and their descendents did for several generations. The surname, like all Gaelic names, has many variations: MacAskill (possibly the oldest,), McCaskill, McCaskie, Caskie, McKaskle, etc., all equally valid. All are welcome to participate. Various sources show the family concentrated in the Bracadale parish of Skye. Their numbers were never great, with probably less than 1,000 and perhaps far fewer in the mid 1700s when migration to the new world began. All variations of the surname are rare, with less than 2,000 households believed to currently exist in the U.S. Our people have been, of course, part of the great Scottish Diaspora, and are found all over the world now. Extensive genealogical data for the family in the United States exists in the book The MacAskill / McCaskill History 1700 -1984. This book was an incredible effort by Andy and Dixie McCaskill. These facts, coupled with yDNA testing, make it possible to identify many of our scattered cousins. If you are a male with any of the surnames listed above we would like very much for you to join the project. Please email for additional information.