Surname Mac Paul - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'M'
Mac Paul: What does the surname Mac Paul mean?
The last name Mac Paul is a Scottish surname of ancient origins. This name has Gaelic roots, and literally translates to “son of Paul”. It likely originated in Scotland in the Middle Ages when the practice of taking on surnames became popular.
Aside from being a patronymic surname, Mac Paul is also thought to represent the occupation of a sailor or shipbuilder. The word ‘Paul’ likely is derived from the Scottish Gaelic word ‘pàil’, which means ‘sail’ or ‘sailing’. The prefix ‘Mac’ implies a relationship to the individual named Paul, so it is possible this name once belonged to a notable sailor or shipbuilder in Scotland.
The surname Mac Paul is still found today, but in fewer numbers than in the past because of waves of Scottish emigration. A considerable number of Mac Pauls left Scotland in the 17th century for England, North America, and other parts of the British Isles. These emigrants often had to Anglicize or shorten the surname to Paull in order to better fit in.
This ancient Scottish surname is still celebrated today, and is a tribute to the past. The name is steeped in history and represents a part of Scottish heritage that will never be forgotten.
Order DNA origin analysisMac Paul: Where does the name Mac Paul come from?
The surname Mac Paul is most commonly found in the English-speaking countries of United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada, USA, and Australia. In the United Kingdom, this surname is relatively rare and mainly found in Scotland, particularly in the Argyll and Bute region.
In Canada, the surname can be found mostly in Nova Scotia, particularly in the areas of Halifax, Cape Breton, and Digby. In the United States, Mac Paul can be found especially in Wisconsin, Tennessee, and California.
In Ireland, the surname Mac Paul is most commonly found in Dublin,Donegal, Wexford, Galway, and Cork. It is also relatively common in parts of Australia, especially in New South Wales, Queensland, and Victoria.
In general, Mac Paul is a quite rare name, but it is still seen, typically in small pockets where the families with the surname Mac Paul have lived for generations. These locations tend to have long standing family ties and the surname continues to be held by the descendants of the original bearers of the name.
Variations of the surname Mac Paul
The surname Mac Paul is of Gaelic origin, derived from the Gaelic words "Mac" meaning "son of" and "Paul," a diminutive form of the given name Paul. Variants, spellings, and other surnames of the same origin for Mac Paul include Mac Paull, Paull, Pohl, Paule, Poll, Pawle, Powle, and Powell.
Mac Paull is a variant of the surname Mac Paul and it can be spelled as Mac Pawl, MacPawl, MacPaule, or MacPaul. It is most commonly associated with people from Scotland, particularly those of Scottish or Irish descent.
Paull and Pohl are also variants of the name Mac Paul. Both are derived from the Gaelic name Paul, while "Paull" is an Anglicized form and "Pohl" is Germanic. This surname was popular among German immigrants who settled in the US during the nineteenth century.
Paule and Poll are other variant spellings of Mac Paul. This variant is popular among people of French or German descent. It is derived from the Old Germanic given name "Paul," meaning "small."
Pawle and Powle are alternative spellings of Paule and Paul, respectively. This variant is largely associated with people of English and French descent in the United Kingdom.
The surname Powell is another variant of Mac Paul. This variant is considered to be a Welsh variant of Paul and it is generally found among Welsh people.
In conclusion, Mac Paul is a surname of Gaelic origin and there are several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. These variants, spellings, and other surnames include Mac Paull, Paull, Pohl, Paule, Poll, Pawle, Powle, and Powell. Many of the variants were derived from Old Germanic given names, while others became popular among immigrants to the United States during the nineteenth century.
Famous people with the name Mac Paul
- Macklemore (born Benjamin Hammond Haggerty), American rapper
- Paul McGillion, Scottish-born Canadian actor
- Malcolm Mac Paul, Indian film director, producer, and writer
- Paul McCartney, English singer, songwriter, and composer
- Paul MacCaulay, Canadian voice actor
- Mack Paul, American actor, known for Confessions of an American Bride (2005)
- Mac Paul McRobb, American actor, known for 1 Minute to Midnight (2012)
- Macaulay Mac Paul, Australian actor, known for Shark Island (2001)
- Mackenzie Mac Paul, Canadian actor, known for Felicity (1998)
- Paul Mac, Irish singer-songwriter, recording artist and performer