Surname MacNaul - Meaning and Origin
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MacNaul: What does the surname MacNaul mean?
The last name MacNaul is a Scottish surname of the Clan MacAulay, which is a branch of Clan Donald that settled in Galešnjak in the north of the Isle of Barra. It is believed to derive from the Gaelic MacAmhalghaidh, meaning "son of the follower of Saint Moluag". The MacAulays were historically merchants and seafarers, and the clan was associated with the famous MacNeil of Barra.
The most famous member of the MacAulay clan was Alexander MacAulay, a renowned merchant and philanthropist who had a distinguished career in commerce in the mid-19th century. He was an innovative business leader who developed a highly successful fishing industry in the Galešnjak area. He also established a bank there, and was generous in donating to local charities and schools.
Today, the MacAulays are still prominent in the Galešnjak area and other parts of the Scottish Isles. They are proud of their heritage and associated with the ideals of hard work, dedication, and loyalty. These values have been passed down through the generations and have helped the MacAulay clan thrive.
Order DNA origin analysisMacNaul: Where does the name MacNaul come from?
The MacNaul surname originated in Scotland and is an Anglicised form of the Gaelic Mac Naoill, which is derived from the personal name ‘Naois’. Since then, families bearing this name have dispersed across the world.
In the United Kingdom, MacNaul families are most concentrated in Scotland, mainly the West Coast, particularly the Isle of Skye and the Hebrides Islands. There are also some MacNaul families in cities such as London, Glasgow, and Edinburgh.
In the United States, the frequency of the MacNaul surname is higher in the Midwestern and Western states. The two states with the highest concentration of MacNaul families are California and Texas, most notably in Houston, Los Angeles, and San Francisco.
In Canada, MacNaul families are most concentrated in the Alberta, Ontario, and British Columbia provinces, particularly in the cities of Toronto and Vancouver.
Elsewhere, MacNaul families can be found in Australia, mainly in New South Wales, but also in Perth, Victoria, and Queensland. Scotland remains the home of many MacNaul families, with smaller numbers in other English speaking countries such as New Zealand and South Africa.
Overall, MacNaul families are scattered across the world, but are most concentrated in the United Kingdom, especially Scotland, the United States, and Canada.
Variations of the surname MacNaul
MacNaul is a variant of the Scottish surname MacNaughton. The two surnames are often used interchangeably as they are believed to have the same origin. This name is derived from the Old Gaelic personal name Mac an Choinnich which means ‘son of the rat’. Therefore, MacNaul and MacNaughton likely have a similar etymology.
The variants of MacNaul include MacNaull, McNaul, McNaull and McNull. The spelling variations of MacNaughton include MacNaghten, MacNaughten, MacNaghton, MacNaughton, MacNolt, MacNoughten and MacNaughtan. Another Scottish surname of similar origin is MacKintosh, which is derived from the Gaelic personal name Mac an Toisich, meaning ‘son of the chief’.
Different areas of Scotland and Ireland each have their own variations in spelling for this family name. For example, in the Isle of Man, MacNaughton may be spelled MacNaughten, whereas in Ireland they might use McNaughton or MacNaghton.
Variants of the same surname do not always indicate a shared ancestry, and MacNaul may have originally derived from a different clan. Additionally, people with the same surname can come from different bloodlines, as surnames are passed down generationally and not through a single ancestor. Thus, numerous families with the same surname may have completely different origins and fall under no distinct ancestral clan.
Famous people with the name MacNaul
- Angus MacNaul: a Scottish writer and playwright
- David MacNaul- a television and radio presenter from Northern Ireland
- Neil MacNaul- an Irish journalist
- Stephen MacNaul- a radio news anchor from Ireland
- Robert MacNaul- a former American stock car racing driver
- Angus MacNaul Wood: a Canadian voice actor, cartoonist and singer
- Michael MacNaul: a Canadian composer and film score producer
- Neil MacNaul- a lawyer from Northern Ireland
- Kayla MacNaul: a British singer
- Elspeth MacNaul- a British singer-songwriter