Surname MacVail - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'M'
MacVail: What does the surname MacVail mean?
The surname MacVail is of Scottish origin, derived from the Gaelic "MacPhàil", meaning "son of Paul". The name Paul is of Latin origin from the name "Paulus" which means "small or humble". There are multiple variations of spelling for this surname such as McPhail, MacPhail, McFail, MacFail, McFayle, MacFayle, and others. The MacVail name mainly originates from the Hebrides island and the west coast of Scotland. The first recorded spelling of the family name dates back to the 15th century in Kintyre. As with many Scottish names, individuals with the MacVail surname can be found around the world, especially in countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand due to historical emigration. It is important to note that meanings of surnames can change over time and migration and may have different interpretations in different regions and languages.
Order DNA origin analysisMacVail: Where does the name MacVail come from?
The surname MacVail likely originates from the Scottish Highlands, as suggested by the prefix "Mac" which typically denotes Pictish, Gaelic, and Celtic origins. "Mac" in Scottish or Irish Gaelic means "son of," showing family or paternal lineage. However, deciphering the exact root of the name is challenging, as it could have utilized a variety of Anglicized or phonetic spellings throughout history. The "Vail" component does not correlate clearly to any known Gaelic terms, which may suggest variations or corruptions of other common names.
Today, the surname MacVail is relatively rare and does not particularly dominate any specific geographic region. It's worth noting that due to mass migration throughout history, particularly during the Highland Clearances of the 18th and 19th centuries, many Scottish surnames have disseminated worldwide. The United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand - among others - often have significant populations bearing Scottish-derived surnames.
Specific data on the current distribution of the surname MacVail is scarce, possibly due to its relative rarity or the existence of variant spellings. Therefore, without direct census or genealogical data, it's difficult to definitively claim where MacVail is most common today.
Variations of the surname MacVail
The surname MacVail, often found in Scotland, is an anglicized form of Gaelic MacPhail, which derived from the personal name Paul. Besides MacVail, you might find it under different spellings depending on the regional dialects and phonetic renderings. Here are some alternative spellings and variants you may come across:
- MacPhail: The most common form that retains the original Gaelic structure.
- McPhail: A slightly anglicized version, replacing "Mac" with the abbreviated "Mc".
- MacFail: A variant where the "ph" is replaced by "f", but retains most of the structure.
- McFail: Similar to "MacFail", but with a substituted "Mc".
- MacFayl: An unconventional rendering which relies on phonetics rather than the original spelling.
- McFayl: A "Mc" variant of the above spelling.
- MacVayl: Swaps the "Ph" for a "V", which is particularly seen in American variants.
- McVayl: A similar switch to the "V" variation like "MacVayl", but using "Mc".
There may be others since personal spellings by families and transcription errors can create unique versions of this particular surname. Surnames of the same origin could be any beginning with "Mac" or "Mc", indicating 'son of', linked to a given name, in this case, Paul.
Famous people with the name MacVail
- William MacVail: an Australian actor who appeared in a number of films and television series, including performing in the cult classic The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert.
- Mark MacVail: a Scottish former professional footballer who played for Dundee United, Aberdeen and Scotland.
- David MacVail: a Canadian musician, composer and band leader.
- Chuck MacVail: a former American football player who was a two-time Pro Bowl selection and a Super Bowl champion with the Green Bay Packers.
- John MacVail: a British historian, theologian and author, most notably of The History of Christianity in Scotland.
- Ewan MacVail: an Australian professional golfer who competed in the Australian and European PGA Tours.
- Isla MacVail: a British model, television presenter and actress who appeared in both British and American television shows.
- David MacVail: a Scottish actor and stage producer whose writing has been performed at the Royal Shakespeare Company and other prestigious venues.
- Alastair MacVail: an Australian engineer who has worked on projects around the world, and is also a marine archaeologist and adventurer.
- Roger MacVail: an American doctor and professor at the University of Minnesota and Mayo Clinic, specializing in pathology.