Surname McAskil - Meaning and Origin

McAskil: What does the surname McAskil mean?

The surname McAskil is of Scottish origin and found predominantly in the Highlands area. It's a variation of the surname MacAskill, which means "son of Askill". The name "Askill" itself is derived from an Old Norse personal name "Ásketill", a combination of the elements "ás", meaning "god", and "ketill", meaning "kettle" or "helmet". "Kettle" or "cauldron" could be interpreted metaphorically, indicating a significant sacrificial vessel in the pre-Christian era. So, generically, the name could suggest "one who is protected or blessed by the gods", but its exact significance is uncertain. Bearers of this name in early Scotland would likely have been Viking descendants, given the Norse origin of the name. It is important to note that with many surnames, exact etymologies can be difficult to pinpoint.

McAskil: Where does the name McAskil come from?

The surname McAskil originates from Scotland. It is an anglicized form of the Gaelic MacAsgaill, composed of the elements "Mac" meaning "son of" and "Asgaill" which is an Old Norse personal name Áskell, meaning "god-cauldron." This name was common among descendants of the Vikings who had settled all over Scotland.

The surname McAskil is not common today. It is sporadic and can be found in different parts of the world due to migration patterns, mostly in countries where Scottish people emigrated such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. As with many other Scottish surnames, you will also find McAskil present in Scotland and the rest of the United Kingdom. However, it is often represented in diverse spelling variations including MacAskill, MacAskill, MacCaskill, McCaskill, MacAskill, and many others.

Variations of the surname McAskil

The surname McAskil is of Scottish origin and possesses numerous variants not only related to spelling, but also demarcating geographical locations and lineage details. Some variants include McAskill, MacAskill, McAskell, McAskill, and MacAskill.

The 'Mac' or 'Mc' at the beginning of these surnames indicates a Gaelic origin, meaning 'son of.' In this case, it is 'son of Askil.' Most commonly, the variation in spelling comes as a result of Anglicization, or the process of making the surname fit more closely with English spelling conventions, which happened frequently when Scottish families immigrated to English-speaking countries.

Surnames of the same origin share this pattern of 'Mac' or 'Mc' prefixing a personal name. Therefore, names like MacDonald (son of Donald), MacKenzie (son of Kenneth), or MacNeill (son of Neil) share the same Gaelic origin. Nonetheless, determining surnames of the same origin can be challenging as the second portion of the surname could derive from various source names. For instance, 'Askill' is said to be derived from an Old Norse personal name, 'Ásketill,' and other surnames might have different sources despite the 'Mac' or 'Mc' prefix.

Famous people with the name McAskil

• Hugh McAskill: Canadian ice hockey player
• J.T. McAskill: Canadian lawyer and judge
• Kevin McAskill: American businessman and investor
• Joe McAskill: American jazz saxophonist
• Ralph McAskill: Canadian musician and music publisher
• Tommy McAskill: Canadian professional football player
• Jack McAskill: British athlete and Olympian
• Donnie McAskill: Canadian folk musician
• Ryan McAskill: Canadian actor and producer
• Bobby McAskill: Scottish folk banjo player
• Fiona McAskill: Scottish actress and television presenter
• Joe McAskill: Scottish footballer
• Stuart McAskill: Scottish rugby union player
• Joe McAskill: Scottish filmmaker and explorer
• Rosie McAskill: award-winning Scottish director and writer
• Archie McAskill: Scottish independent film director, producer, and editor
• Mairi McAskill: Scottish artist, singer-songwriter, and author
• Dougie McAskill: Scottish football manager and scout
• Heather McAskill: Scottish novelist and television scriptwriter

Other surnames

McAskillMcAskin