Surname MacCorqill - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'M'
MacCorqill: What does the surname MacCorqill mean?
The surname MacCorqill is of Scottish origin, specifically from the Hebrides islands. It descends from the Gaelic name "MacTorcaill," meaning "son of Torcall." The personal name Torcall itself is derived from the Old Norse Thor-ketill, in which "Thor" is the name of the Norse god of thunder, while "ketill" means a cauldron, kettle, or helmet. Thus, the name could be interpreted as "Thor's cauldron" or "Thor's helmet." Although the meaning is not definite, it's thought to be linked to a symbol of strength or protection. Like many old Gaelic names, MacCorqill has different spellings due to translations from Gaelic to English throughout the centuries. Variations of the name include Corkill, Korkill, and MacCorquodale. It's important to note that the meaning of a surname can have different interpretations based on linguistic and cultural differences, and thus should not be taken as an exact interpretation.
Order DNA origin analysisMacCorqill: Where does the name MacCorqill come from?
The surname MacCorqill is of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic 'Mac Torcaill', which means 'son of Torcall'. Torcall itself has links to the Old Norse name 'Þorketill', which translates approximately as 'Thor's kettle', referencing the Norse god Thor. Despite its Irish origins, the last name MacCorqill is not common today in Ireland. Its rarity makes it difficult to ascertain where it might be prolific today. There seems to be more presence of this last name in countries like the United States or Australia, where individuals of Irish descent migrated during and after the periods of colonization and Irish diaspora. However, it remains largely obscure. Variations and derivations of the name might be more common, such as Corkill. Due to spelling variations and anglicization of Irish names over centuries, tracing these names and their frequency is often a complex effort.
Variations of the surname MacCorqill
The surname MacCorqill is of Irish origin. Such Gaelic names often have multiple spellings due to various phonetic interpretations. Some alternative spellings and variants of the name MacCorqill can include MacCorkill, MacCorkle, MacCorkell, and MacCorgill. The "Mac" prefix means "son of," while the second part of the name may have derived from an occupation or location.
Based on the dynamics of surnames evolution and Anglicization in Ireland, it's also probable to find variations like McCorkill, McCorkle, and McCorkell. In some cases, the “Mac” or “Mc” can be dropped, resulting in variants like Corkill, Corkle, or Corkell. This surname can also be found without the "a" used in the original spelling as McCorqill, McCorkil, McCorquil or under similar forms.
The surname shares its Celtic roots with other Gaelic surnames and could potentially be connected to other names based on shared derivations or similar meanings, but tracing such links definitively often requires extensive genealogical research. Variations in spellings can reflect different branches within a family tree, or regional influences from where the name bearers originated in Ireland.
Famous people with the name MacCorqill
- Robert MacCorquodale: A Scottish actor and playwright who wrote the novel "The Life of William Wallace" and was High Commissioner for Scotland and Wales for the Presbyterians under Charles II.
- Edward MacCorquodale: A British actor and singer who starred in the 1936 classic stage production of "The Importance of Being Earnest" and in many of Alfred Hitchcock's movies.
- Donald MacCorquodale: A Scottish doctor who served as a Member of Parliament from 1801-1806 and was active in the Scottish reform movement.
- William MacCorquodale: Was an Australian businessman and stock-breeder who founded the MacCorquodale Pastoral Company in the late 19th century in Western Australia.
- Thomas MacCorquodale: A Scottish chemist and naturalist who was the founder of the Royal Magazine of Natural History and editor from 1826-1840.
- John MacCorquodale: A Scottish physician and naturalist who published the British Plants volume of The Natural History of Great Britain and Ireland in 1838.
- Alexander MacCorquodale: A Scottish poet and playwright who wrote works such as, “The Wreck of the Leda” and “The Laird of Lorne.”
- Thomas William Maccorquodale: A British politician who was Liberal Member of Parliament from 1868-1880 and was the first ever Chairman of the London County Council in 1889.
- David MacCorquodale: A Scottish pediatrician who became the co-founder of the Society for Medical Welfare for Children, and the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary’s Maternity Home.
- John Peter MacCorquodale: A British father, family history collector, author, and genealogist who wrote the "MacCorquodale: The Clan and Its History" book in 2004.