Surname MacCoull - Meaning and Origin
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MacCoull: What does the surname MacCoull mean?
The MacCoull surname originated in Scotland and is derived from the Gaelic Mac Dhubhghall, "Son of Dougal". The name Dougal comes from the old Irish word dubhghall, which means "dark stranger" or "dark foreigner".
It is likely that the first bearers of the MacCoull surname were those of Scottish descent who emigrated to Scotland from Ireland. MacCoulls may have been related to the Gallgael, the ancient Celtic people that inhabited Scotland, Ireland, and parts of northern Britain.
The MacCoulls are an offshoot of the Celtic MacCall family, which traces its roots back to the 13th century. The MacCoulls were known as one of the oldest families to settle in Scotland and their descendants continue to reside there to this day.
The name MacCoull remains popular in Scotland, as well as beginning to spread throughout other parts of the United Kingdom and other countries with Scottish expatriates. The name is most commonly associated with Scotland, where the MacCoulls have a long and proud history.
The MacCoulls are known for their strength and faithfulness. Those bearing the MacCoull surname are proud of their roots and of the legacy that they have been a part of for hundreds of years.
Order DNA origin analysisMacCoull: Where does the name MacCoull come from?
The last name MacCoull is most commonly found today in Scotland and Ireland. It is a Scottish clan name, of which the origins date back to 11th Century Scotland, and is pronounced either "mah-kull" or "mah-kool". The Scottish heritage of this family name is believed to refer to a type of fortification, derived from the Old galic for "Son of the Battle". This patronymic style of a name reflects the way people gained their last name prior to the introduction of normalised Surname Laws in medieval Europe.
MacCoull is anglicised from the Gaelic Mac Dubhghaill (Mac Dhubhghaill). The prefix “mac” means “son of” and Dubhghaill (or Dhubhghaill) is a patronymic style of the Gaelic first name Dubhghall. It is quite likely that this first name means dark-stranger, as the Gaelic dubh means dark or black, and gall may be associated with being foreign.
Today, there are thousands of people around the world who bear the last name MacCoull. Those with the surname are mainly found in Scotland and Ireland, though as a result of migration since the 17th century, others can be found in Europe, Asia, the United States and Canada. Many interesting branches of the MacCoull family tree are scattered around the world, but the familial bond remains strong.
Variations of the surname MacCoull
MacCoull is a Scottish surname, and its variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin reflect its long history and heritage.
The most common variants of the surname MacCoull are MacCull, MacCulloch, and MacCullie. These can be written with any combination of capital letters as well, such as MacCULL, McCulloch, and MacCullie.
MacCulloch and MacCullie have their own distinct clans in Scotland, with the former stemming from the islands off the west coast of Scotland, particularly the Isles of Skye and Uist. It belongs to the same family of surnames as MacKenzie, Mackintosh, and MacLean.
The spelling 'MacCull' is derived from the Middle Irish 'MacCooill', which translates literally to 'son of the wood'. This form is an uncommon variant of the family name, likely only found in Ireland and those with Irish ancestors.
Other spellings or surnames of the same origin, but less common, include McCool, MacCoul, McKool and McCoul. This list is not exhaustive, however; it's possible to find other variations due to changing regional dialects over time, misinterpretation, and even Census officials’ documentation mistakes.
In conclusion, there are several variants, spellings and related surnames for the surname MacCoull, each of which has its own long and rich history in Scotland and Ireland.
Famous people with the name MacCoull
- Joanne MacCoull: Canadian poet
- John MacCoull: Canadian field hockey player
- Anne MacCoull: Canadian painter
- Robert MacCoull: Canadian television producer
- Joy MacCoull: Canadian visual artist
- Catriona MacCoull: Canadian novelist
- Daisy MacCoull: Canadian folk singer
- Rod MacCoull: Canadian actor
- Sarah MacCoull: Canadian DJ
- Antony MacCoull: Canadian actor