Surname McKerrell - Meaning and Origin

McKerrell: What does the surname McKerrell mean?

The last name McKerrell is a traditional Scottish surname of Gaelic origin. It is derived from the Mac Gille Ruaidh, meaning "son of the red headed servant." The surname is found predominantly in the Scottish Borders, traditionally associated with Berwickshire, Roxburghshire and Peebleshire.

The name is an example of the practice of naming Scottish surnames after a personal characteristic of the original bearer. This was particularly common in the Highlands, where descriptors such as long locks, swift of foot, fair of speech, and so on, were popular choices for surnames.

The surname McKerrell has several variations, such as MacKerrell, McKerrell, McEral, McRedell, McRudel, MacRaudle, and Macerall.

The McKerrells were known as a fierce family that had the capacity to hold their ground in confrontations. During the 17th and 18th centuries, they were often involved in clan feuds and battles in defense of the borders.

Today, the surname McKerrell is a common one in Scotland. It is thought that there are over 5,000 bearers of the name living in Scotland today. Although not as close-knit as they once were, many of today's McKerrells still hold a fierce sense of pride for their unique clan and family name, both of which are a reminder of their long history.

McKerrell: Where does the name McKerrell come from?

The last name McKerrell is most common in Scotland, particularly in the Lowlands around Glasgow. It is a fairly rare surname, but can be found in other parts of Great Britain and even North America.

In Scotland, McKerrell is a surname often associated with the Clan Campbell, one of Scotland's most prominent clans. The surname is believed to have first emerged around Dalmellington in Ayrshire in the 13th century, and from there spread to the surrounding areas.

In the United States, McKerrell can be found among those of Scottish descent, particularly in areas such as Massachusetts and California. McKerrell is sometimes listed as a variation of the Scottish surname McCarroll and has sometimes been recorded as Macerail and other similar phonetic spellings.

Today, McKerrell is still a rare name, with approximately 300 families listed as having it in Scotland and even fewer outside of the UK. However, with the Scottish diaspora being strong worldwide, one is likely to find McKerrells scattered across the globe.

Variations of the surname McKerrell

The surname McKerrell has roots in Scotland and Ireland, particularly in the Highlands of Scotland and is believed to be derived from the old Gaelic and Irish language. There are many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for the surname McKerrell.

Variants of the name may include MacKerrell, McKerrel, McKerwill, McKerfield, Makrills, McStarbuck, McNeel, Makarill, Mecarrell, McHarill, and Makaril.

The spelling of McKerrell can also vary, such as MacKerrell, McKerroll, and Mackerill.

Surnames sharing the same origin, also known as the Clan MacFarlane, include McFarlane, MacFarlane, MacFarlan, Macparlane, MacPharoll, and MacHarill.

Although the name McKerrell is believed to have originated in Scotland and Ireland, the surname is now found throughout the world. It has spread to the United States, Canada, England, Australia, and other regions of the world due to migration of people following the 1800s.

The name McKerrell is an apt description of a person or family descended from one of the regions of Scotland and Ireland where the name originated. The distinct spelling of McKerrell may be a variation of the original Gaelic or old Irish spelling of the name or may be due to anglicisation over centuries of those names into what we now recognise as McKerrell.

Famous people with the name McKerrell

• Patricia McKerrell-Smith: a Scottish Birthrights mother and vice-chair of the organisation for over a decade.
• Tom McKerrell: revived the traditions of the McKerrell clan in the mid-1800s and led the re-establishment of Campbell College in Belfast.
• Craig McKerrell: former BBC Scotland newsreader and presenter of Living Scotland.
• Frazer McKerrell MBE: Scottish surgeon who was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire for his services to charity and healthcare.
• Angus McKerrell: professional rugby player for London Welsh and Scotland.
• Alexander McKerrell: a Royal Navy Lieutenant who served in the Napoleonic Wars as well as during the War of 1812.
• Anne Barklie McKerrell: British writer and novelist best known for historical romances.
• Wilson McKerrell: of the Wilson McKerrell of Kilbirnie family and one of Britain’s most prominent Scottish landowners.
• William McKerrell: Scottish poet and historian.
• Malcolm McKerrell: active in the last years of the American Revolutionary War and first captain of the 94th Regiment of Foot during the Napoleonic Wars.

Other surnames

McKerrelly