Surname MacAwley - Meaning and Origin
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MacAwley: What does the surname MacAwley mean?
The last name MacAwley is an Irish surname, stemming from the Gaelic first name Mac Aghuisghidh, which is made up of two Gaelic words. The first word, “mac” (meaning “son”), was used to mark a patronymic relationship between a father and his son. The second word, “Aghuisghidh”, has been variously interpreted as “Erudite” or “wise in battle”, giving the name a combined meaning of “Son of the Erudite Warrior” or “Son of the Wise Battlelord.”
In the 15th century, the MacAwleys were part of the Irish aristocracy under the rule of the O’Neill clan and were based in County Armagh. From that time, the MacAwley family prospered and spread to other parts of Ireland and eventually across Europe and the Americas. They have played their part in both the colonial and independence struggles all over the world. In the United States, many of the MacAwleys trace their ancestry to Scotland, where they arrived during the great wave of Irish diaspora in the 18th and 19th centuries.
For the MacAwleys, a great sense of loyalty and honor is sacrificed for family and loyalty. Generosity and respect for hospitality combined with a sense of daring and an ability to persevere seem to be an important part of their lineage, traits that were carried to subsequent generations.
Today, the MacAwley surname is rare, but still carries a great sense of tradition and pride in its bearer’s ancestry. There is something special about carrying a surname that’s been part of life in Ireland for centuries. And MacAwley is a reminder of the distant past and the stories and struggles of those who came before us.
Order DNA origin analysisMacAwley: Where does the name MacAwley come from?
The last name MacAwley is not a very common name today. It is primarily associated with the pro-independence movement in Ireland, which still has a strong presence today. Origins of the name can be traced back to the Gaelic Mac Amhlaoibh, meaning "son of Amhlaoibh". This suggests that it originated from a local chieftain who lived in the west of Ireland in medieval times.
The MacAwley family name is believed to have survived chiefly in counties Mayo, Galway, and Sligo. According to the 1901 Census of Ireland, the MacAwley name was most commonly found in those counties. In Mayo, the surname was historically concentrated in the Barony of Louisbourg, which included the towns of Kilmaine, Ballinrobe, and Louisbourgh. Today, MacAwley is not as common in Mayo and Galway, however, it remains prevalent in the town of Louisbourgh.
The MacAwley surname remains fairly rare in other regions of the world. In Australia, for example, it only exists in small numbers, with all references leading back to the direct Irish descendent. In the United States, the name is equally uncommon, however, is slightly more widespread.
Overall, the name MacAwley is not overly common today and is concentrated primarily in the regions of Mayo, Galway, and Sligo in Ireland.
Variations of the surname MacAwley
The variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for the surname MacAwley include McAuley, MacAuley, MacAulay, MacCauley, McCauley, MacCauly, MacCaulay, MacCawley, McCawley, MacGawley, MacGauley, MacGawly, McOwley, McCaulay, McCawly, MacCowell, MacGowell, MacGawley, MacGouly, MacHowe, McCool, McLeary, MacLure, MacMore, and MacMurphy.
The surname MacAwley, along with its variants and other names of the same origin, is most commonly found in Ireland as it is associated with Celtic descent. It is believed by some researchers to have originated in the area known as Ulster in the province of Northern Ireland.
The surname MacAwley was also recorded in the old spelling of MacAuliffe, which is an anglicized version of the Irish Gaelic spelling of MacAmhlaoibh. The Gaelic form of the surname MacAmhlaoibh means literally "son of Amhlaoibh", with "Amhlaoibh" being a form of the popular name "Amhlaibh."
The surname MacAwley is also found in Scotland, England, and other countries, but is not as common. It is likely that the original spelling of the name may have been changed or adapted in different countries, leading to the slight variations in the spelling over time.
In conclusion, the variants, spellings, and surnames that share the same origin as MacAwley include McAuley, MacAuley, MacAulay, MacCauley, McCauley, MacCauly, MacCaulay, MacCawley, McCawley, MacGawley, MacGauley, MacGawly, McOwley, McCaulay, McCawly, MacCowell, MacGowell, MacGawley, MacGouly, MacHowe, McCool, McLeary, MacLure, MacMore, and MacMurphy.
Famous people with the name MacAwley
- Ben Macawley: an English actor, who has appeared in TV shows such as Midsomer Murders, Holby City, and Silent Witness.
- Sarah Macawley: an Irish actress who is most known for her roles in the films P.S. I Love You and The Edge of Love.
- Joshua Macawley: a Canadian actor who has appeared in films such as The Hunger Games, The Twilight Saga and The Tree of Life.
- Emily Macawley: an Australian musician who has performed solo and with groups such as Little Birdy and Sugar Army.
- Christopher Macawley: a British businessman and entrepreneur who has held the positions of CEO of Microsoft and Barclays.
- Michael Macawley: an American political analyst and commentator, who has appeared on Fox News and MSNBC.
- Charles Macawley: an American architect, who is renowned for his designs of historic buildings including the East Coast White House in Washington D.C.
- Samuel Macawley: an English mathematician and author, who is best known for his books on algebra and geometry.
- Clare Macawley: an Irish-Australian singer-songwriter, best known for her hits "Fire Away" and "Glittery Gold".
- James Macawley: an English actor and singer who has performed on the West End and is currently appearing in Netflix's Alias Grace.