Surname McAulay - Meaning and Origin

McAulay: What does the surname McAulay mean?

The surname McAulay or MacAulay is of Scottish origin. Almost universally associated with Scotland, it is a variant of the Gaelic "Mac Amhalghaidh" or "Mac Amhlaoibh". This can be loosely translated to son of Aulay or MacAmhalghaidh meaning "son of the noble stranger". "Mac Amhlaoibh" refers to the "son of Amlaíb" and Amlaíb is an Old Norse personal name Óláfr, which means "ancestral relic". It is common for Gaelic names to contain the prefix 'Mac' which means 'son of'. Although widespread throughout Scotland, the name is particularly significant in the Hebrides and the Western Isles. The great variation in spelling that occurred in records of the name includes MacAulay, MacAuley, MacAulley, MacAwley, MacCaulay, MacCawley, and many others. Each spelling has its own unique story and background. These variations are a direct result of the medieval scribes recording a name before it was ever standardized. McAulay is a name that evolved over the centuries in Scotland and was widely used by Scottish emigrants who settled in many different countries around the world. So, the McAulay surname carries a significant historical and cultural legacy from the Scottish region.

McAulay: Where does the name McAulay come from?

The surname McAulay is of Scottish origin, derived from the personal name Amhalghaidh, which is Gaelic. It was first found in Argyllshire (Gaelic erra Ghaidheal), the region of western Scotland corresponding roughly with the ancient Kingdom of Dál Riata, in the Strathclyde region of Scotland, now part of the Council Area of Argyll and Bute. The name can also be spelled MacAulay, MacAuley, MacAullay, and other variants.

The name signifies a "son of Amhalghaidh or Awley". In its early history, it was associated with Clan MacAulay, which was a small and lesser-known Scottish clan. Bearers of the McAulay surname were part of the greater Clan MacDonald.

Today, the surname McAulay is most common in the United Kingdom, U.S., Australia, Canada, and New Zealand. It is especially prevalent in Scotland due to its roots there. However, as people bearing this surname have immigrated to other countries over the years, it can be found in several parts of the world. Just like many other surnames, the current distribution of the McAulay name is a result of historical migration, local cultural integration, and intermarriage.

Variations of the surname McAulay

The surname McAulay originated from the Gaelic personal name Amhalghadh, which has variations and derivatives in different regions and languages. Variants and spelling alternates for McAulay may include MacAulay, MacAuley, McAuley, Macaulay, McCauley, Macaulley, MaCauley, McCaul, Macaul, MacAullay, Macawley, Makcaully and Makaully.

There are derivations with slightly different prefixes too, such as O’Aulay and Aulay. Additionally, Gaelic versions of the name may include Amhalaidh and Amhlaoibh.

The name McAulay may also be sometimes interchangeable with similar names such as MacCaul, Macauly, and MacAlea.

It is important to remember that variations in spellings of a surname can be attributed to phonetic spelling by different record keepers, translation or anglicisation from the original language, changes over time, and personal preference of individuals. The McAulay surname is mostly associated with Scottish and Irish lineages, and individuals with variations of this surname can be found throughout regions previously known for high levels of Scottish and Irish immigration, such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

Famous people with the name McAulay

• Terry McAulay: A retired American football official in the National Football League, who served as a referee for 20 seasons.
• Sir Arthur McAulay: A notable New Zealand lawyer who became a High Court judge.
• Lesley McAulay: A popular British author known for his historical writings.
• Mark McAulay: Director and policeman from Glasgow who has been in several TV shows like Vengeance 2: Killer's Revenge.
• Kendra McAulay: American Director of Photography and Camera Operator, known for her work in several films and TV shows.
• Ryan McAulay: Professional Australian football player who plays for Balcatta.
• James McAulay: Co-founder and CEO of Encore, a platform that connects event planners with musicians.
• Jesse McAulay: Canadian theatre actor and director.
• Alex McAulay: A well-known American author, film producer, and director.
• Douglas McAulay: A former Australian rules footballer.
• Caleb McAulay: A young stage actor known for his work in several theatre productions.
• Matt McAulay: A digital artist from New Zealand.
• Tyran McAulay: Co-founder and COO of Flatfair, a London-based fintech company.
• Shay McAulay: Australian artist specializing in abstract painting.

Other surnames

McAuleyMcAuliffe