Surname MacCauley - Meaning and Origin

MacCauley: What does the surname MacCauley mean?

The last name MacCauley derives from the Gaelic language and is considered an anglicized version of the name “Mac Amhalghaidh” (Amhalghaidh being the root name). This root name means “son of Amhalghaidh” and is originally of a lineage native to Northern Ireland, particularly from areas occupied by the ancient Ulstermen.

In ancient Gaelic culture, “Mac” was a title given to those who served in high positions or enjoyed certain privileges. In this way, those with the last name “MacCauley” typically signified a noble family of distinction.

The exact origins of the MacCauley family is hard to trace due to the extensive migration of Scotland and Ireland in the late 1500s. However, the Mac Cauliffe family developed into a powerful clan for their estimated 500 years of presence in County Derry.

The Mac Cauliffe Clan line also enjoyed distinction in Scotland and was noted for its numerous branches and alliances, which stretched beyond the Ulstermen region to become prominent throughout Scotland. This family was known for their brave, strong and proud well renowned warriors, an ideal that still exists for those with the last name MacCauley today.

When translated in today’s language, MacCauley can be understood to mean “son of strength and pride”.

MacCauley: Where does the name MacCauley come from?

The last name MacCauley is common today in many parts of the world. It is a Scottish name that is derived from the Gaelic MacAmhlaoibh, meaning "Son of the Disciple of Amhlaoibh," which is the modern variant of the name Auliffe (or Olaf). In Scotland, the MacCauley surname is most common in the Highlands and Islands, notably on the Outer Hebrides islands of Lewis and Harris. However, the name MacCauley is also popular in Ireland where it used to be anglicised from the surnames McAnulty and McAnulty.

The surname can also be found in the United States. It has been in America since at least the mid-1700s when a Scottish family carrying the name of MacCauley emigrated to South Carolina. Since then, the surname has spread to different parts of the country, particularly in Wisconsin, Illinois, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York. Additionally, the Scottish Migration of the 1900s saw a significant influx of MacCauleys into Canada, particularly in the provinces of Ontario and Alberta.

Today, the surname MacCauley and its variants is considered to be a very common one, especially among Irish and Scottish people. Furthermore, it can be found in other parts of the world, such as Australia, South Africa, and New Zealand.

Variations of the surname MacCauley

The surname MacCauley is of Scottish origin and includes such variants and spellings as MacCawley, MacCowley, McCauley, McCowley, McCawley, McCawly, McColey, McColley, Makcaule, MacCalley, MacCalley, MacColee, McCale, McCalley, Makcaulay, McCaull, McCaul, Makcaul and Maccully.

In some cases, the surname has been Anglicized to Cowley, Cowly, Cawley, Cawly, Cole or Coley. In English-speaking parts of Canada, there have also been some families who became known as Calley and Callay.

The root of the name is Gaelic and translates as ‘son of the battle’. The Clan MacCauley can trace its history back to at least 1350 although the clan is believed to be much older than this. The progenitor of the clan was an Irishman, Ewan Mac Caulay, whose son Fergus settled in Scotland during the reign of Malcolm IV. From this point onwards he and his descendants used the Gaelic form of Mac Caulay and later – MacCauley.

Many families bearing this surname settled in Scotland during the 12th and 13th centuries, and some branches of this clan migrated to other parts of Scotland and later to Ulster in Northern Ireland. In due course, many of them spread across the Atlantic to North America. To this day, there are large numbers of MacCauleys in the United States, Canada, and Australia.

The Clan MacCauley is one of the most respected in Scotland and their tartan can be seen proudly displayed around the world.

Famous people with the name MacCauley

• Rosemary MacCauley: An Irish-born politician who emigrated to Australia and became a long-serving member of the Australian Parliament representing the state of New South Wales.
• John MacCauley: An Emmy Award-winning American actor who has been featured in a variety of television series and movies, including the perennial holiday favorite “It’s a Wonderful Life” (1946).
• Hugh MacCauley: A Canadian singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist who has been releasing music both as a solo artist and with the band Young Rival since the mid 2000s.
• Art MacCauley: A professional basketball player who was the first overall pick in the 1950 NBA Draft, though he played fewer than three seasons before retiring due to injuries.
• John MacCauley: A Tejano music legend who founded the band MacCauley and the Boys and is best known for his flamboyant and experimental style.
• Steve MacCauley: An English professional footballer who played for a number of clubs during his career, including tenures with Ipswich Town and Port Vale.
• Mary MacCauley: A noted American actress who performed on stage, film, and television for more than half a century, earning a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2000 from the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.
• Angus MacCauley: A figure in Scottish political history who served as a Member of Parliament for many years and was involved in a variety of important developments in the late nineteenth century.
• Margaret Ann MacCauley: An Australian soprano who was active in the musical theater and opera scenes for over thirty years.
• Warren MacCauley: A Canadian child actor in the late 1970s and 1980s who appeared in productions such as “Willow” (1988) and “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial” (1982).

Other surnames

MacCaul