Surname MacColl - Meaning and Origin
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MacColl: What does the surname MacColl mean?
The surname MacColl is of Scottish origin. It is derived from the Gaelic Mac, meaning "son of", and Coll, a personal name. The name Coll itself is an ancient Celtic name which may mean "high" or "chalice." So, the last name MacColl can loosely be interpreted as "son of the high one" or "son of the chalice." It is also possible that this surname was originally a patronymic nickname given to the son of a man named Coll. As with many surnames, the exact interpretation can vary and the original meaning may have shifted over time. Scottish clans often used these types of patronymic surnames, and MacColl is no exception. The Clan MacColl is associated with the western highland region of Scotland. Despite being a relatively small clan, the MacColls are known for their contributions to Gaelic poetry and culture.
Order DNA origin analysisMacColl: Where does the name MacColl come from?
The surname MacColl originates from Scotland. It's an anglicized version of the Gaelic name "MacCailein", which translates to "son of Colin". The name Colin itself is derived from the Greek name Nicholas, which means "victorious people". The origin of this surname can be traced back to Argyll, a county in western Scotland, and was first borne by a medieval Scottish clan there.
The name MacColl is still found in Scotland, primarily in Argyll. However, as a result of emigration during the 19th and 20th centuries due to economic hardship or seeking opportunities, the surname has also spread to various parts of the world including England, Australia, New Zealand, the United States, and Canada. The distribution of this surname can be connected to the historical movement and settlement of Scottish people, with it being relatively common in regions where Scottish diaspora communities have settled. Regardless, it remains less common compared to some other Scottish surnames.
Variations of the surname MacColl
The surname MacColl, of Scottish origin, has various alternate spellings and closely related surnames due to regional variances in phonetic pronunciation and Anglicization processes. Some of these variants include MacCool, McColl, McCool, McKoll, and MacCowl.
This surname comes from the Gaelic patronymic name 'MacColum,' which means 'son of Colum.' The name 'Colum' is derived from an old Irish name meaning "Dove." It became popular due to its association with St. Columba, a 6th-century Irish monk and missionary. Over time, the name transformed into 'Columb,' which was further contracted to 'Coll' through usage, finally evolving to 'MacColl', thus families with the surname 'Columb' or 'Colum' may also be related.
There is a further related variant, 'Maccolm', used in Scotland, primarily in the Shetland Islands. The surnames Malcolm and MacCallum are also somewhat related but are not direct variants of MacColl.
In some cases, the Anglicized version of the surname, 'Collins', might find its roots back to the original 'MacColl'. However, Collins has multiple origins and is not exclusively associated with MacColl. Overall, variations largely depend on regional usage and individual family history.
Famous people with the name MacColl
- Kirsty MacColl: A popular British singer-songwriter known for her hit singles such as "There's a Guy Works Down the Chip Shop Swears He's Elvis". She tragically passed away in a boating accident in 2000.
- Ewan MacColl: A notable British folk singer, songwriter, and communist. Father to Kirsty MacColl, he was known for writing timeless folk classics, including "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face," later made famous by Roberta Flack.
- Jean Newlove: She was also known as Jean MacColl, the wife of Ewan MacColl, though she was famous in her own right as a renowned British choreographer. She was a key figure within Laban Movement and brought creativity and individuality to British choreography.
- Hamish MacColl: A British actor and scriptwriter, known for "Paddington" and "Johnny English Reborn". He is the son of Ewan MacColl and half-brother to Kirsty MacColl.
- Peggy Seeger: While her last name wasn't MacColl, she was Ewan MacColl's third wife and a well-known folk musician in her own right.
- Neil MacColl: He is a guitarist and singer, son of Ewan MacColl and half-brother to Kirsty. He is known for his work with The Bible and David Gray.