Surname McNabola - Meaning and Origin

McNabola: What does the surname McNabola mean?

The surname McNabola is of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic Mac Con Abhlaoibh, meaning "Son of Conn of the Fleet." The name itself has a rich history and heritage originating from the Irish counties of Leitrim and Galway. The different parts of the name have meanings too where "Mac" usually stands for "son of," "Conn" means "chief" in Irish, and "Abhlaoibh" translates to 'fleet' or 'swift'. It can be assumed that it denotes the son of a swift or fast-moving chief. This name might have been introduced to symbolize or honor a characteristic or notable achievement of that family. Like many Irish surnames, McNabola is likely to indicate lineage from prominent clans or relate tales of ancestral valor and leadership. However, very few resources provide a detailed explanation or account of the specifics of the name's origin story. Many of the modern bearers of the surname McNabola can be found in Ireland and across various parts of the world due to the Irish diaspora.

McNabola: Where does the name McNabola come from?

The surname McNabola is of Irish origin. It is derived from the Gaelic "Mac Conmhaoil", meaning "son of Conmhaoil". This personal name combines the elements "cu" meaning hound or wolf, and "maol" meaning bald or tonsured. Like many Irish traditionally patronymic (passed from the paternal lineage) surnames, it begins with "Mac", denoting "son of". The name was first found in County Leitrim, in the province of Connacht in the western part of the country, and this is where most bearers of the name can still be found. However, due to historical migration and diaspora, you might also encounter the surname in places where the Irish have settled, such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom. Despite this, the surname is relatively uncommon, making individuals with the McNabola name somewhat rare.

Variations of the surname McNabola

The surname McNabola is of Irish origin, which can trace its roots back to the Gaelic personal name Donnchad. Its Gaelic form is Mac Con Abhla, meaning "son of Donnchad." As it happens with most Irish surnames, the original Gaelic form underwent several transformations when translated to English, leading to its many variants and spellings.

These variations include but are not necessarily limited to: McNab, McNabb, McAnab, McAnabb, McNable, McAnable, McNaval, and McNavel. Other broader forms may comprise MacNabola, MacNabb, MacNab, or MacAnab.

The spelling of such Irish surnames could often change with each generation, due to the differences in dialect and local pronunciation. Also, migration often led to modifications, as surnames were anglicized or adapted to suit different languages. Some family branches might have chosen to keep the original Gaelic form or a version of it, while others might have opted for an anglicized form.

Lastly, McNabola and its variants can equally be used as both first names and surnames.

Famous people with the name McNabola

• Eamonn Mcnabola, an Irish novelist and broadcaster.
• Anita McNabola, an American actress known for her roles in films such as The Man from Earth, Brooklyn's Finest and Hacksaw Ridge.
• Orla McNabola, an Irish singer-songwriter and classically trained pianist.
• Cooky McNabola, an American professional bodybuilder and former powerlifter.
• Aaron McNabola, an American Minor League Baseball pitcher who last played for the Bridgeport Bluefish in 2015.
• Shane McNabola, an Irish actor and producer, best known for his roles in films such as Love Actually and The Tournament.
• Ed McNabola, an American professional wrestler who most recently competed in the Ring of Honor promotion as “The Prodigal Son” Shaheem Ali.
• Luke McNabola, an American goalkeeper in Major League Soccer and the current member of the San Jose Earthquakes.
• Ciara McNabola, an Irish fashion designer and founder of the lifestyle brand Logsumo.
• Joe McNabola, an Irish former professional boxer who was ranked the third light heavyweight in the world during the early 1980s.

Other surnames

McNaboe