Surname McCaw - Meaning and Origin
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McCaw: What does the surname McCaw mean?
The surname McCaw is of Scottish origin and is derived from the Gaelic name 'MacCathmhaoil', which translates to 'son of Cathmhaol'. 'Cathmhaol' itself is a personal name which is up of two elements: ‘cath’ means battle, and ‘maol’ means chief. So, essentially, McCaw can be interpreted as 'son of a battle chief'. Like many surnames that originate from personal names, McCaw would have initially been used to denote actual direct descendancy from a notable ancestral figure. Over time, it would have become a general last name that is no longer strictly tied to ancestry. It leaves a legacy of a lineage related to leadership and bravery in battle. Despite its Scottish origins, McCaw is a surname that can be found throughout various English-speaking countries today.
Order DNA origin analysisMcCaw: Where does the name McCaw come from?
The last name McCaw is of Scottish/Irish origin. It originates from the Gaelic Mac Cathmhaoil, derived from elements meaning “battle chief". It had the earlier forms MacCathail or MacCawell. Some sources suggest that the McCaws were part of the Clan MacFarlane and they migrated from Scotland during the Plantation of Ulster in the 17th century.
Today, the surname McCaw is most common in Northern Ireland, particularly in the counties of Antrim and Tyrone. The name is also fairly popular in Scotland. The McCaw surname is also found in English-speaking countries that have seen large numbers of immigrants from Ireland and Scotland such as Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United States, with a particularly high concentration in the states of Pennsylvania and Ohio.
One notable individual with this surname is Richie McCaw, the former All Blacks rugby captain from New Zealand, who is considered one of the greatest players in history. Therefore, the name will also have some prominence in New Zealand. Despite being more widespread due to migration and diaspora, the name McCaw remains relatively uncommon.
Variations of the surname McCaw
The surname McCaw has origins in Scottish and Irish culture and is derived from the Gaelic "Mac Cathmhaoil," meaning "son of Cathmhaoil." Various spellings and surname variants can arise over time due to the phonetic nature of early documentation and the influence of different languages and dialects.
Variations of McCaw can include McCaul, MacCaw, MacCall, McColl, MacAul, McAul, McCay, McKay, MacKay, MacCaul, MacColl, etc. Some other related surnames might include McCowell, McDowell, Caudle, or Caulfield, derived from the original "Cathmhaoil."
Tangentially, the surname McCaw may also have roots in the Jewish surname McCahon, as surnames were often adapted to fit the dominant culture's language for easier pronunciation and assimilation. However, this link is less common and less direct.
Further research could be needed to identify all existing variations of the surname McCaw because some may have evolved uniquely in certain regional or language contexts. Additionally, one should remember that the presence of one of these variants as a person's surname does not necessarily indicate a familial connection to all other individuals carrying variants of the name - genealogical research would be needed to confirm any such connections.
Famous people with the name McCaw
- Sir Brian McCaw: American business executive and top government official
- John McCaw: American business leader and investor
- Gordon McCaw: American Promoter and Philanthropist
- Rachel McCaw: Australian rules footballer
- Russell McCaw: English Politician
- William McCaw: Scottish Politician
- Stuart McCaw: Rugby Union Player
- Trudy McCaw: Irish Artist
- Neal McCaw: American Olympic Gold Medalist
- Jason McCaw: Canadian Hockey Player
- Vance McCaw: American Motivational speaker
- Nikki McCaw: New Zealand Actor
- Maria McCaw: Australian Aboriginal Activist
- Bill McCaw: Canadian Musician
- Vicky McCaw: British Conservationist
- Steve McCaw: American Sportscaster
- Duncan McCaw: American Military Leader
- Mike McCaw: Canadian Musician
- Joanne McCaw: Canadian Politician
- Tyler McCaw: Canadian Musician
- Ruth McCaw: British Novelist
- Colin McCaw: Scottish Politician
- Lucas McCaw: Canadian Writer
- Brett McCaw: American Entrepreneur
- Kaylyn McCaw: Canadian Musical Artist