Surname MacCalla - Meaning and Origin
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MacCalla: What does the surname MacCalla mean?
The last name MacCalla is a variation of the Gaelic surname Mac Cathmhaoil or MacCahill, which translates from Irish as “son of the war chieftain”. It was first used in the 11th century by an Irish clan associated with Cenél nEoghain. As the name suggests, these ancient families were fiercely loyal, with a connection to a pre-Norman warrior class in Ireland.
The MacCalla surname has survived to the present day, though it is much less common. It appears in areas in Ulster, Munster and Leinster in Ireland, as well as in Scotland, England, the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Many of the early Irish MacCalla lines migrated to the U.S. for new opportunities. Some of these early Irish settlers later changed their name to Callahan, McCalla, McCaulay, MacKallen, and more. Many of these various surnames remain prominent in Irish American communities today.
Despite its variants, the surname MacCalla is still associated closely with its Irish roots and the belief in loyalty to one’s clan. Those who bear the name today are considered to be strong-willed, independent, and hard-working. In general, MacCalla can be said to be a name with a rich history and a strong family tradition.
Order DNA origin analysisMacCalla: Where does the name MacCalla come from?
The last name MacCalla is thought to have originated from Scotland in the Highlands, where the name was first found, and is still commonly found there today. It may also be seen in Ireland where it might have come from Scottish emigrants. The USA also has a sizeable population of people with this name, which could be from Scotland, Ireland or perhaps from French-Highlanders that settled in the USA.
In Scotland the surname is mainly found in the west and north of the country, with the early spellings of the name often found as MacCali, MacCall, MacCaill, or MacKhyaill, and dialects suggest all of these are derived from the same origin. It is believed to have originated from the Gaelic form Mac Cathail, meaning the son of Cathail.
In recent years, MacCalla appears to have become quite widely dispersed and is found throughout the Anglo-American regions, with notable concentrations in Canada. MacCalla is also found in Australia and New Zealand due to Scottish and Irish migrations, and other parts of Europe.
Whether you find it in a city, small town or village, the last name MacCalla is a reminder of Scotland's Gaelic heritage and remains relatively common today.
Variations of the surname MacCalla
The MacCalla surname can be spelled in several different ways. Spellings include MacCala, MacCulla, MacCall, MacCallo, Mackala, MacCalley and MacCallay.
This surname is derived from the Gaelic Mac Cala, it is believed to be a variant of the Irish name Mac Cathail, which is derived from the Gaelic words “mac” meaning son and “cathal” meaning battle. This name may have referred to someone who was skilled at battle.
Variations of this surname include McCullough, McCulla, McCole, McCann, McCall, McCallum, McCallan, McCaig and McKeever. This surname is also found as a surname in Scotland and belongs to the clan MacCall/Cal, whose motto is “In Defens”.
The MacCalla name is believed to have originated in Scotland. The earliest recording of this surname is believed to be of John MacCal nobility who lived in Ayrshire in 1636. This surname is found mainly in Ayrshire and Glasgow. It is also found in other places such as Ireland, England, Canada, Australia, the United States, and other parts of the world.
MacCalla is pronounced "Muh-KAH-la" and is the preferred spelling of the surname. Usually, the prefix “Mac” is dropped when the name is used in casual conversation, and the name simply becomes “Cala”.
Famous people with the name MacCalla
- Isabel MacCalla: She is an American actress who is best known for her starring role as Diana Topping in the TV series House of Lies. She has also appeared in the films Dead Man Down and 10 Rules for Sleeping Around.
- MacCalla Gillies: A jazz pianist originally from New York but now based in Pittsburgh. He has released three albums and has performed at music festivals such as SXSW and Jazzfest.
- Caroline MacCalla: An Irish-born American author who has released three books, all of which received acclaim from critics and readers alike. She has also written a number of essays and short stories that have been published in various magazines and journals.
- David MacCalla: Best known as the founder and frontman of the American rock band Peripeteia, David has been performing and recording music since the late 1990s. He has released five solo albums and is currently working on a new one.
- Ronan MacCalla: He is an award-winning producer and composer who has worked with a variety of different artists including Sting, Robbie Williams, Pharrell Williams, Aretha Franklin and Mick Jagger.
- Cahal MacCalla: He is an award-winning filmmaker from Ireland who has directed a number of features and documentaries, including The Rocky Road, which won him an IFTA award.
Other surnames
Comments or additions to the name "MacCalla"
06.03.2024
Mac Cathail was in Kerry Ireland and Muster