Surname MacFall - Meaning and Origin
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MacFall: What does the surname MacFall mean?
The last name MacFall is a Scottish surname originating from the Highlands region of Scotland. Derived from the Gaelic MacPhail, the name is thought to come from the ancient Pictish language and is believed to mean ‘Son of the Fall’.
Historically, the MacFall clan inhabited the lands of Buchan in Banffshire, Scotland, on the east coast of Aberdeenshire. The family were amongst some of the first to settle in Scotland and they quickly established a stronghold in the Buchan area of Banffshire.
Throughout the centuries, the MacFall clan has maintained a strong presence in the area and some of the earliest records of the family can be traced back to the 13th century when they became involved in a long-running feud with the Gordon clan who a family of noble origin.
More recently, the MacFalls have spread across Scotland and further afield to countries such as Canada, the United States and even Australia. The proud Scottish roots of the MacFall family means that the original name has been kept intact for generations and most notably, the birth mother of Princess Diana was a MacFall.
Overall, the MacFall surname is a timeless reminder of the proud Scottish cultural heritage of many Scots across the world. In modern day Scotland, the MacFalls are still present and they can trace their long and winding history right back to the days of ancient Picts.
Order DNA origin analysisMacFall: Where does the name MacFall come from?
The last name MacFall is most commonly found in Scotland and Ireland today. It is believed to have originated from the Gaelic personal name Mac Phail which in turn was derived from the words ‘mac’ meaning son and ‘pail’ meaning Palladian. The MacFalls are believed to have descended from the ancient Picts of Northern Scotland and the Irish tribe of the O'Faelain from County Mayo.
Even in modern times many MacFalls still live in Scotland and Ireland and their surname is often found in records from those countries. In Scotland, MacFalls can be found mainly in the counties of Lanarkshire, Ayrshire, Renfrewshire, and Stirlingshire while in Ireland they are mainly concentrated in County Mayo as well as Galway, Cork, and Waterford.
MacFalls can also be found throughout many other countries, in particular those with a significant number of people who can trace their roots back to Scotland and Ireland. For example, in the United States the name is mainly found in the states of New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and North Carolina. In Canada, the name is most often seen in provinces like British Columbia, Alberta, and Ontario. In Australia, the name is mainly found in the states of New South Wales, Queensland, and Victoria.
Variations of the surname MacFall
The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname MacFall are MacFaul, MacFayle, MacFayl, MacFayll, MacFaylle, MacFeil, MacFeill, MacPhale, MacPhail, MacPhayl, MacPhayll, MacPhayle, MacPhee, MacRee, McFail, McFayle, McFayl, McFayll, McFee, McFey, McFie, McFye, McFaell, McFall, McFeil, McFeille, McPhel, McPheil, McPhele, McPhell, McPheyll, McRee and MacFeal.
The surname MacFall has an ancient origin in Scotland and is believed to be derived from the Gaelic personal name MacFhaolain, which translates to “son of the man of command”. This name could have originally been used as a nickname for a leader or leader of men. Over time, the name has taken many forms and spellings due to its frequent use and movement throughout various cultures.
The variants of MacFall are most common in Scotland and the North of Ireland, where many forms of Gaelic language and culture still exist. Those bearing the name may historically have had ties to these countries, either through direct familial lines or through cultural and language influences. Some variations of the name may also have been used in England and England, though this is considerably less common. As Scotland and Ireland were significantly impacted by the Great Famine in the 1800s, many with the name MacFall likely also sought refuge elsewhere in the United Kingdom or Overseas.
Famous people with the name MacFall
- David MacFall: a Scottish actor best known for appearing in The Bill and Klondike.
- David MacFall Johnson: American radio personality and program director.
- Vince MacFall: an American actor, writer, and director, best known for his role as the titular character in the 1965 film The Pied Piper of Hamelin.
- Alan MacFall: a British former motorcycle racing competitor who competed in the Grand Prix World Championship from 1973 to 1976.
- Ian MacFall: British former footballer who played for Blackpool and Darlington from 1989 to 1999.
- Charles MacFall: American lawyer and politician from Maine who served in the Maine House of Representatives in 1875.
- Hugh MacFall: British sculptor and musician who was part of the neo-romantic, magical realist movement in the late 1980s.
- William MacFall: Scottish poet, theologian, and hymn author who wrote A Vision of Life and Love in 1825.
- Tim MacFall: American film producer, director, and distributor with credits on the 1982 film Bitter Moon, as well as the TV series Webster. 10.Octavia MacFall: American painter in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, best known for her floral landscapes and still lifes.