Surname McFall - Meaning and Origin

Going Beyond the Surname: A DNA Journey Through the Ages with iGENEA

Digging into my Scottish ancestry, the DNA analysis with iGENEA provided a fascinating insight into my family name, McFall. With roots traced back to ancient Celts, the journey to ascertain the history of 'McFall' has been revealing and enriching at the same time.

E. McFall

McFall: What does the surname McFall mean?

The surname McFall is Scottish and Irish in origin, primarily from the Ulster region. It is derived from the Gaelic Mac Pháil, meaning "son of Paul". This patronymic surname has variations such as MacFall, McPhail, and MacPhail. The prefix "Mac" or "Mc" indicates "son of", connecting a person to their familial lineage and typically their father's name. The "Phail" or "Pail" in the name originated from the given name "Paul", a popular name with biblical roots. Therefore, McFall is essentially associated with being the "descendant or son of Paul". Over time, the name was anglicized in different forms, leading to the modern versions we see today. Like many surnames, it was used to identify individuals, primarily in regions with high populations to lessen confusion and establish family relationships or heritage. Please note that surnames' meanings can differ based on regions and translations.

McFall: Where does the name McFall come from?

The last name McFall is of Scottish origin, specifically, derived from the Gaelic MacPhail which means "son of Paul". The surname evolved over time and took different forms, with McFall or MacFall being most common. The family associated with this surname was initially found in the region of Inverness, located in the Scottish Highlands.

Today, the surname is prevalent in several English-speaking countries. The biggest concentration of people with the McFall surname is found in the United States, particularly in states like Pennsylvania, Ohio, California, and Texas. It is also quite common in Northern Ireland, due to historical ties and migration from Scotland. Other countries where the surname McFall can be found include Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, largely as a result of emigration during the 19th and 20th centuries from the British Isles. In Scotland, the McFall surname still remains common, particularly in regions close to the Highlands. Overall, however, the surname is relatively uncommon when compared to other surnames.

Variations of the surname McFall

The surname McFall has Irish origins, derived from the Gaelic "Mac Pháil," meaning son of Paul.

Variations include McFaul, McPhail, MacPhail, McFale, McFail, McPail, McFalls, and McPhalls. The surname can be modified due to regional dialects and phonetic spelling by English speakers. There are also surnames without the "Mac" or "Mc," such as Phail or Fails.

As Irish families migrated to other English-speaking countries, their surnames were often anglicized and the original meanings obscured. For instance, when the McFall family emigrated to the United States, the surname might have been changed to Fall, Falls, Phall, or Phalls due to misunderstanding or simplified transcription.

The "Mac" or "Mc" prefix, meaning "son of," is a common feature in Irish and Scottish surnames. However, keep in mind that not all names starting with these prefixes are of Gaelic origin, as the practice has been adopted broadly in cultures where English is spoken.

Despite the different variants, the central theme in maintaining the familial connection to the original Gaelic name "Mac Pháil" remains significant.

Famous people with the name McFall

• Carrie-Anne Moss: She is a Canadian actress, best featured in The Matrix movie franchise.
• Greg McFall: He is a retired American professional basketball player in the National Basketball Association.
• Mary McFall: She was a Scottish civic leader and first female Lord Provost of Paisley.
• Alasdair McFall: He is an economist, author, and former United Kingdom Member of Parliament for Paisley North.
• Albert McFall: He is an American Major League Baseball (MLB) pitcher who played for the Brooklyn Dodgers in the 1940s.
• Kim McFall: She is an American former professional basketball player in the Women’s National Basketball Association for the Detroit Shock.
• Stuart McFall: He is a Canadian former professional ice hockey left winger who played in the National Hockey League.
• Louise McFall: She is an American poet and writer, best known for her novel The Reading List.
• Adam McFall: He is an American music producer, composer, and artist who has written and produced music for many popular films, television shows, and video games.
• Robert McFall: He is a Scottish retired professional footballer who represented the Scotland national team in the 1998 World Cup.

Other surnames

McFalls