Surname McDanal - Meaning and Origin

McDanal: What does the surname McDanal mean?

The last name McDanal is of Scottish origin and derived from the Gaelic Mac Dhonnall, which means “Son of Donal”. Donal is an old Irish and Gaelic name that comes from the Latin version of the name Daniel. It is likely that the MacDhonnall or McDanal family descended from a progenitor with the given name Donal or Daniel.

This surname is common in Scotland, with its prevalence particularly high on the Orkney islands. It is also present in other countries, such as Ireland and America. McDanals from Ireland can trace their origin to County Cork. In America, the last name has been found in various states, particularly Pennsylvania, Georgia, and Tennessee.

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, many bearers of the McDanal surname were farmers and landholders with traditional Scottish ties. The surname is still very common in Scotland and America and can appear in a variety of spellings, such as McDanall, McDonall, MacDonnel, and McDonnel.

McDanal is a place name as well, with origins in the Clan MacDonnel of Leinster. The family, who came originally from the Argyllshire area of Scotland, was well established in Ireland since the 11th century.

This surname is a reminder of Scotland’s rich history and strong cultural heritage. Those with this last name can take pride in its origin and history – and its centuries-old association with vibrant Scots and Irish culture.

McDanal: Where does the name McDanal come from?

The last name McDanal is believed to have originated in Ireland, where it can still be found in Ireland today. The McDanal surname can be found in the predominantly Gaelic-speaking areas of County Donegal, particularly in the region known as Inishowen or the Iron Mountains. According to the Irish Genealogy website, the McDanal surname is rarely found in other parts of Ireland or in other countries.

The McDanal surname may have been derived from the Gaelic phrase Mac Danaill, which means "son of Daniel". This is likely to have been the name of a local family who adopted the surname as their own. The McDanal name was fairly common in early Ireland, particularly in Donegal, and has since spread to other parts of the world.

Today, the last name McDanal is most commonly found in the United States and Canada, particularly among Irish-American and Irish-Canadian communities. It is also found in Australia, England, Scotland, and Wales. Overall, the McDanal surname is still quite rare, and is not widespread in any one country or region.

Variations of the surname McDanal

The surname McDanal is an anglicised version of the Irish surname Mac Dhonnghaile, which is derived from the root Gaelic word "donnghaile", meaning "brown-haired". Variations on the spelling of the name include MacDonnall, MacDonal, MacDhonnghaile, MacDhanall, and MacDunall. It is sometimes spelled in a hyphenated form, as McDonal-McDanal. Other localised versions of the name have arisen, such as McNally and M(a)cDannell.

The surname is most commonly found in its native Ireland, particularly in County Leitrim, where it is mainly found around the town of Drumahaire. It is also found in other parts of Ireland, including counties Donegal, Dublin, Clare, Galway, and Sligo, as well as areas of Scotland and South Wales.

The derivatives of the surname McDanal are largely variant spellings that stem from various local dialects. In Scotland, the name is particularly associated with the old pre-1745 MacDonnell family, which held estates in Lewis, Berbice, and Edinburgh. In South Wales, the name is associated with the early 19th century McNally family, thought to have settled there from Ireland. In North Wales, the MacDonal-McDanal name is thought to have been adopted by furriers after the decline of the Welsh fur trade in the 19th century.

The McDanal surname is sometimes found as an independent surname, with unrelated families taking the surname due to its ancient Gaelic origins. It is also commonly found in combination with other Irish and Scottish surname origins, such as McCall, McNeil, and MacPherson, as well as its own combination of MacDonal-McDanal.

Famous people with the name McDanal

• Colin McDanal: actor, known for his roles in films like The lost World: Jurassic Park and S.F.W.
• Tucker McDanal: model, vocalist, and actress, known for her music career and appearances in movies such as The Santa Clause 3 and The Hot Chick.
• Chad McDanal: singer-songwriter, known for his popular songs such as "Lucky," "Heavenly," and "Sutter Avenue."
• Nick McDanal: actor, best known for his roles in films such as Superhero Movie and The Dark Knight Rises.
• Crystal McDanal: actress, known for her roles in films such as Legally Blonde and Pitch Perfect.
• Lane McDanal: professional basketball player who is currently a member of the Brooklyn Nets.
• David McDanal: actor, best known for his appearances on various television shows such as New Girl and Law & Order.
• Patrick McDanal: professional boxer and former light-heavyweight champion.
• Brandon McDanal: Olympic medalist in judo, who won a bronze medal in 2016 for the United States.
• Tom McDanal: former Major League Baseball player who played for the Atlanta Braves and San Diego Padres.

Other surnames

McDanielMcDaniels