Surname MacAuley - Meaning and Origin
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MacAuley: What does the surname MacAuley mean?
The last name MacAuley is of Scottish and Irish origin and means "son of Amhalghaidh," which translates to "son of Auley." The name itself is derived from the Old Gaelic personal name "Amhalghadh." Sometimes, it is also spelled as Macaulay, McAuley, MacAulley, and other variations. This surname first originated from the Hebrides; a group of islands off the west coast of Scotland. The MacAuleys of the Hebrides have traditionally been associated with Clan Donald, also known as MacDonald. In Ireland, the MacAuleys are considered part of the Cenél nEógain, who were part of the Northern Uí Néill, and are found generally in the region of modern County Donegal. Notably, these are distinct from the Scottish MacAulay clan. Despite the geographical distance, both Scottish and Irish MacAuleys have a shared Celtic cultural background. Over time, bearers of this surname have immigrated to many parts of the world, hence the name can now be found in multiple countries. Today, individuals with the last name MacAuley can be found prominently in Scotland, Ireland, Canada, the United States, and Australia.
Order DNA origin analysisMacAuley: Where does the name MacAuley come from?
The surname MacAuley has Irish origins. The name is derived from "Mac Amhalghaidh" in Irish Gaelic which means "son of Auley", "Auley" being a personal name. The MacAuley clans originated from two distinct areas in Ireland: West Ulster and Leinster. The Ulster clan was historically based in the modern County Fermanagh, while the Leinster clan from around the modern County Westmeath.
In early records, the name has appeared in various forms including MacAwley, MacAuley, MacAulay, and its original Gaelic form MacAmhalghaidh, proving its historical depth. The MacAuleys rose to prominence as lords in their respective regions in the Middle Ages.
Today, the presence of this surname is relatively widespread, due to the diaspora, particularly during the time of the Great Famine in mid-19th Century. However, it is still more commonly found in regions with ancestral ties, including Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. Large concentrations can be found in the United States, Canada, Australia, and the UK due to immigration patterns from Ireland.
Variations of the surname MacAuley
The surname MacAuley is of Irish origin, descending from the Gaelic Mac Amhalghaidh or Mac Amhlaoibh. Given the geographical spread and different regional pronunciations, this surname has several variants and spellings, including MacAulay, MacAuly, MacAwley, McAuley, McAulay, McAuly, McCauley, McCawley, McAwley, McCaully, Macauley, Maccauley, and Macawley.
In some instances, it can simply be spelled as MacAuley, Macaulay or McAulay. The prefix 'Mac' or 'Mc' can often be interchangeable, which further leads to variation in the spelling of this name. Some families also drop the 'Mac' or 'Mc' completely, leading to versions such as Auley, Cauley, or Hawley.
Regardless of the spelling, these surnames all point toward the same Gaelic origin. The many spellings developed partly due to the transliteration from Gaelic to English and the subsequent anglicisation of the name. Each variation of the surname carries with it a rich history and cultural heritage, underlining a common Irish descent.
Famous people with the name MacAuley
- Charles MacAuley: An American actor and director known for his work on Star Trek: The Original Series.
- Felicia Lily MacAuley: Famous Nigerian actress and movie producer.
- Johnny MacAuley: Irish songwriter who authored many popular Irish songs.
- Matthew MacAuley: Irish-Canadian actor best known for his role in the TV series 'Bellevue'.
- Heather MacAuley: An accomplished visual artist whose work has appeared in galleries around the world.
- Thomas Basil MacAulay: British historian and Whig politician, recognised for his promotion of liberal policies in education and governance.
- Andrew MacAulay: A famous English cricketer.
- Zach MacAuley: A prominent British portrait and fashion photographer.
- James MacAulay: A notable Scottish minister, writer, and broadcaster.
- Catherine MacAulay: An eighteenth-century English historian.
- Kenneth MacAulay: A Canadian Ice hockey player.
- Gerald MacAulay: A Canadian lawyer who served as the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Prince Edward Island.
- John MacAulay: Former CEO of UK-based BT Wholesale.
- Laurence MacAulay: An influential Canadian politician who has served as the Minister of Veterans Affairs.