Surname McCorkill - Meaning and Origin
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McCorkill: What does the surname McCorkill mean?
The surname McCorkill is of Scottish origin and comes from the Gaelic language. The name is believed to be derived from the Gaelic 'Mac Thorcuil' or 'MacThorkill', which loosely translated to 'son of Thorcuil' or 'son of Thorkill'. The masculine personal name 'Thorkill' or 'Thorcuil', is derived from the Old Norse name 'Þorketill', equivalent to 'Thor’s cauldron'. Thor is a Norse god associated with thunder while a cauldron/kettle is symbolic of sustenance, life and wisdom in many ancient cultures. Similar to many surnames that originated from Gaelic or Old Norse, the use of 'Mac' or 'Mc' prefix means 'son of', implying a patronymic lineage. The different spellings of the name, ranging from MacCorkle, MacCorkill, to McCorkill among others, are due to varying phonetic translations over time and regions. This surname was likely adopted by a descendant of a man named Thorkill, who then passed it down through generations.
Order DNA origin analysisMcCorkill: Where does the name McCorkill come from?
The surname McCorkill is of Scottish origin. It is believed to be derived from the personal name Cargill, which itself originates from the place name in Perthshire, Scotland. The prefix 'Mc' signifies 'son of,' thus McCorkill suggests 'son of Cargill.'
This surname underwent various spelling changes over centuries and was also Anglicized in different ways, which might contribute to its dispersion. Variations of the name include MacCorkill, MacCorkle, McCorkell, and others.
Despite its Scottish roots, the name spread to other countries such as Ireland and England with the movements of people. Today, it is found in many English-speaking countries like the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. However, the highest density of McCorkill is in Northern Ireland. It is in these places where Scottish families settled during the Plantation of Ulster in the 17th century. Thus, while it originates from Scotland, the McCorkill surname is now more commonly found in Northern Ireland and dispersed globally among predominantly English-speaking populations.
Variations of the surname McCorkill
The surname McCorkill is of Irish origin and has several variants and alternate spellings which occur due to the translation of its original Gaelic form "Mac Torcaill" into English, as well as regional differences and phonetic spellings. The variants and spellings can include McCorkle, McCorkell, MacCorkill, McCorkell, McCorkill, MacCorkle, and MacCorkell.
Likely affected by regional dialects and accents, additional variants may be seen as well. However, these variations mentioned are the most common.
The surname McCorkill could also be satisfied by similar sounding but unrelated surnames such as MacCorkill, MacCorkle, or even Corkill. The prefix "Mac" in surnames often suggests Irish or Scottish ancestry, meaning "son of", linking to the patronymic naming traditions in these regions. Understanding the specific geographic origin of a family could provide additional variations and spellings.
Also, it would be vital to consider the anglicized versions of the name, which could potentially differ substantially from the original Irish name. The evolution of surnames is a complex process influenced by different cultures, languages, and even individual family history. Keeping this in mind broadens the investigation into the surname McCorkill and its many possible variants and spellings.
Famous people with the name McCorkill
- Brooke McCorkill: Canadian artist and film director
- Margaret McCorkill: Canadian theoretician, lawyer and author
- Cherry McCorkill: Canadian television broadcaster
- Callum McCorkill: actor best known for his roles in Home and Away and Home and Away: Robert & Esther
- Jack McCorkill: Australian rugby league player
- Dave McCorkill: Australian cricket player
- Mark McCorkill: New Zealand soccer player
- Barry McCorkill: Irish Gaelic footballer
- Deborah McCorkill: American actress and singer
- Mandy McCorkill: British jockey