Surname MacFalls - Meaning and Origin

MacFalls: What does the surname MacFalls mean?

The last name MacFalls is derived from the Old Scots word "macfhal," which meant "son of fall" or "son of the alder tree." This last name is believed to have been given to someone who originated from an area around what is now Sutherland, Scotland.

This area was known to be full of alder trees, which were primarily used for making furniture, among other things. Oftentimes these alder trees stood near waterfalls, thus the moniker MacFalls was derived.

The history of the MacFalls name is tied to the Clan Morrison, one of the most well-known clans in the Highland region of Scotland. Clan Morrison was part of the MacDonald Clan, and so the Morrison and MacFalls clans were tied together through marriage.

The Morrison and MacFalls families continued to ally together and shared a bond that was not often broken. Over the centuries, the MacFalls name spread across Scotland and then around the world. Today, the MacFalls name can be found in countries such as the United States, Canada, and Australia.

The MacFalls name is a proud and noble one, one that has been around for centuries and will continue to be remembered throughout time.

MacFalls: Where does the name MacFalls come from?

The last name MacFalls is primarily found in English-speaking countries today. It is most common in the United Kingdom. Variations of the name, including McFalls and McFarlane, are also found in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

MacFalls can also be found in America, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. The families who arrived in America either came from Scotland or Northern Ireland. Although the name is most likely of Scottish origin, there is some evidence that it could have originated in England.

In the United States, the MacFalls surname is found primarily in the Appalachian Mountains and in the Midwest. The Midwest population generally originated from Northern Ireland, while the Appalachian Mountain population originated from Scotland.

The McFall name is also used in some other countries, including the Philippines and India. There is a possibility that the families originated from Scotland, since the name is often associated with Scottish ancestry. However, this has yet to be confirmed.

Overall, the last name MacFalls is primarily found in English-speaking countries, with the highest populations being in the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

Variations of the surname MacFalls

MacFalls is a surname derived from a Scots-Gaelic origin and can be spelt in various ways including MacFall, MacFaul, MacFauls, MacFools and MacFales.

The Mac prefix which means 'son of' is used in a variety of spellings in Scots-Gaelic such as Mac, Mc, M' and Fitz, which all signify the same patrilinear relationship. The root of MacFalls is Fael or Faul, which refers to a person who lived near a field or meadow.

The variations MacFall and MacFaul are both derived from the Scots-Gaelic MacFael. The Mac prefix is also used in MacFauls, MacFools and MacFales. The variations MacFools and MacFales likely developed due to a misunderstanding of the meaning of MacFael, as 'Fools' and 'Fales' are also derived from the old Scots word 'Fael.'

Some of the surnames related to MacFalls are MacGillivray, MacDowall, MacDuff, MacRae, MacNab, MacCormick, MacDougall and MacGregor. All of these names include the Mac or Mc prefix, indicating descent from a common ancestor.

Most variations of MacFalls are still common among Scottish families and are found as far as Canada and Australia. It is also found in Northern Ireland, the Hebrides Islands and the United States.

Famous people with the name MacFalls

• William MacFalls: Scottish actor known for appearing in shows such as Outlander, Natasha, and Once Upon a Time.
• John MacFalls: Provost of McGill University, an academic, historian, and journalist.
• Peter MacFalls: Award-winning screenwriter and film producer who has worked on projects such as The Tree of Life and The Butterfly Effect.
• Lamont MacFalls: Professional American football player for the Los Angeles Rams in the 1970s.
• Sarah MacFalls- Musician, singer, and songwriter most known for her song “Say Love”.
• Eddie MacFalls: Comedian and actor widely known for his roles in films such as Bad Santa and Blades of Glory.
• Dave MacFalls- Award-winning writer and scriptwriter known for his works such as The Fault in Our Stars and A Star Is Born.
• Anne MacFalls- Award-winning journalist and author well-known for her works on political and environmental issues.
• Scott MacFalls- Award-winning producer and director best known for his work on series such as Scandal and House of Cards.
• Neil MacFalls- Award-winning film director most known for his works on documentaries and music videos.

Other surnames

MacFall