Nangle, or Neagle, is the form used by the Cork branch of the de Angulos who are called Nangle in North Connacht where, after the invasion at the end of the twelfth century, that famous Norman family became possessed of vast estates. the leading de Angulos adopted the surname MacCostello (q.v.). this does not apply to the Cork branch, which, as noted above, retained an anglicized form of de Angulo, viz. Nagle, and this was written de Nogla in Irish. Sir Richard Nagle (d. 1699), who was Attorney General and Speaker of the Irish Parliament in 1689, is called Nangle by Clarendon - he was a leading man in the temporary Catholic revival under James II. Another Co. Cork Nangle, Admiral Sir Edmund Nagle (1757-1830), captivated King George IV by his "rollicking Irish humour" and ability to tell a good story, and became a great favourite of that monarch. Nano Nagle (1719-17874), who devoted her life to the service of the poor in her native Co. Cork, was foundress of the Presentation Order of nuns. Nagle's Mountains near Ballyhooly, Co. Cork, are named after this family.

Thomas Patrice Nagle, son of Gerrard Nagle of Cambrai, both of the Irish Brigade, having accepted the Revolution, was in 1809 created Baron by Napoleon. General James Nagle (b. 1822) was distinguished for his bravery in the American civil War on the Federal side. The only Nangle prominent in history was Richard Nagle (d. 1541), Provincial of the Austin Friars, whose appointment as Bishop of Clonfert at different times by Henry VIII and the Pope was the occasion of much controversy and of his own abduction by a rival. Edward Nangle (1799-1883), zealous Protestant, was termed "the apostle of Achill".

There is a rare Gaelic surname Mac an Oglaoich which belongs to Co. Sligo and was anglicized MacNogly in sixteenth century records. Woulfe suggests that this may still be extant in the form of Nagle. This is doubtful: the name Nagle is almost entirely confined to Co. Cork, but it is a fact that there are Nangles in north Connacht.