Surname MacCorkindale - Meaning and Origin

MacCorkindale: What does the surname MacCorkindale mean?

The surname MacCorkindale is of Scottish origin. It is an Anglicized form of the Gaelic name MacCorcadail, derived from the elements 'mac' meaning 'son of' and 'corcadal' referring to 'the tester' or 'hero'. This suggests that the progenitor of the name likely performed a role of an evaluator or a tester, possibly in a military or leadership context. Given the territorial disputes and clan structure of ancient Scotland, it may have also been associated with heroes or warrior leads. It is important to note that exact surname meanings can be challenging to decipher, as they have evolved over centuries and their original meanings may have altered or faded. Nonetheless, this interpretation provides an insight into the socio-cultural context in which the MacCorkindale surname arose. Like many surnames, it provides a glimpse into the ancestral line's history, hinting at the roles, professions, or characteristics of those in the distant past.

MacCorkindale: Where does the name MacCorkindale come from?

The surname MacCorkindale is of Scottish origin. It is derived from the Gaelic name "MacCorcadail" which loosely translates to "son of Corcadal". The name Corcadal is composed of two elements, “corc”, meaning ‘heart’ and “dal”, referring to a meeting place, thus embodying the overall concept of a place where hearts meet. The MacCorkindale clan is said to have emerged from the ancient Scottish Kingdom of Dalriada.

Despite its Scottish origins, the surname MacCorkindale is not overly common today, even in Scotland. Variations of the name can be found in those of Scottish ancestry worldwide, particularly in places like the United States, Canada, New Zealand, and Australia where Scottish emigrants relocated. However, globally, it remains a relatively rare surname. A notable person with this last name is the late British actor Simon MacCorkindale.

Variations of the surname MacCorkindale

The Scottish surname MacCorkindale is believed to be derived from the Gaelic name "MacCorcadain." Other variant spellings of the surname may include MacCorkindall, MacCorkendale, MacCorkill and MacCorkle. These variants are due to the phonetic interpretation of the originally Gaelic name by English speakers.

The surname MacCorkindale may be related to other Scottish or Irish surnames with similar origins, given the common use of the prefix "Mac," which signifies "son of." Therefore, it might be related to names like MacCorquodale, MacCormick, or MacCorkle, all suggesting descent from a common Gaelic forename. However, each of these would have distinct derivations and should not necessarily be seen as direct variants.

Another point to consider is the anglicization of the name to simply Corkindale or Corkendale, without the traditional Scottish prefix "Mac." Similarly, the name could appear simply as Corkill or Corkle.

There may also be different spellings due to issues of transliteration from the original Gaelic. For example, the end of the name might be spelled as "-dale," "-dail," "-dale," or "-dell," to name just a few possibilities. This sort of variation can occur because there is not always a direct one-to-one match between Gaelic and English phonemes, i.e., distinct units of sound.

Famous people with the name MacCorkindale

• Simon MacCorkindale: British actor, best known for his roles in the TV series “Manimal” and “Casualty”.
• Michael MacCorkindale: UK-based journalist and former editor of the Sunday Express.
• Vince MacCorkindale: British actor, composer, director and producer, known for his work in theatre, television and film.
• David MacCorkindale: British actor and singer, best known for his role on the long-running British soap Coronation Street.
• Robert MacCorkindale: British film producer and theatre director.
• John MacCorkindale: British actor, producer and director, best known for his work on the series “Midsomer Murders”.
• Bellamy MacCorkindale: British actress, best known for her work on the medical drama “Casualty”.
• Joanna MacCorkindale: British actress, best known for her role in the English soap opera EastEnders.
• Catherine MacCorkindale: British singer and actress, best known for her roles in the musicals “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” and “Bleacher Bums”.
• Charlotte MacCorkindale: British actress, best known for her role in the television series “Doctors”.

Other surnames

MacCorkindell