Surname McKerall - Meaning and Origin

McKerall: What does the surname McKerall mean?

The last name McKerall is of Scottish origin and is an anglicized form of the Gaelic surname Mac Giolla Phádraig. There are several variations of the name, such as McCaroll, MacKerrell, and MacKerrell.

The roots of the name can be traced back to the old Indian Gaelic Sept known as the MacGilpatricks or MacGilphees, which was located in the Lewes area of Scotland. This surname derives from the Irish Gaelic Mac Giolla Phádraig, meaning “son of the devotee of St. Patrick”. St. Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland, making this a proud and prestigious last name.

The use of the name McKerall began in the mid-15th century, with its popularity spreading among the Scottish people, likely in part due to St. Patrick’s personal connections. A large number of McKeralls immigrated to the United States in the late 19th century.

Today, the McKerall name is common throughout Scotland, Ireland and the United States. It is a reminder that the family originates from Gaelic people who had a strong faith in St. Patrick and a great sense of pride in their heritage.

McKerall: Where does the name McKerall come from?

The last name McKerall is commonly found in Scotland and Canada, particularly, the provinces of Newfoundland and Labrador, Ontario, and Nova Scotia. It is believed to have originated in Scotland's Highlands area, and many members of the McKerall clan still reside in this region today.

McKerall is a Scottish-Gaelic origin name meaning "son of the hardy man". The earliest records of the name come from the 16th century, when records show several people with the last name McKerall living in the area around the towns of Aberdour and Stenhousemuir.

In the modern era, the McKerall surname has spread around the world, with many of its members being scattered across the United States, Australia, and New Zealand. However, it is particularly connected to the three provinces in Canada.

It is estimated that in recent years over 45% of people with the McKerall name living in Canada were born there, with the greatest concentration living in Newfoundland and Labrador and Nova Scotia, respectively. In these provinces, it is not uncommon to find people carrying on the traditions of the McKerall family, especially in works such as fishing and farming.

The population of people with the McKerall surname is still growing and it seems to be doing so across both Scotland and Canada. Those who still remain in the Highlands of Scotland continue to live off the land, using the same skills their ancestors did centuries ago, while the McKeralls in Canada remain spread out throughout the three provinces with an increasing reliance on modern-day technologies.

Variations of the surname McKerall

The surname McKerall is an Anglicized form of the Scottish name ‘Mac Fhirghail’. It is derived from the Gaelic prefix ‘mac’, meaning ‘son of’, and the personal given name ‘Fhirghail’. The surname McKerall has many variants and spellings, some of which include MacFirall, McFarall, MacFarlane, MacFarland, MacPharall, McFarlane, MacFarlan, and MacPharlin.

The surname McKerall also has several related surnames, including McFarlan, MacFarlane, and McFarlane. The surname MacFarlan is derived from the Irish Gaelic ‘Mac Fhirghail’. MacFarlane, which is derived from the Irish name ‘Mac Pharlain’, is the anglicized variation of ‘Mac Paralain’ and ‘Mac Fearlain’, both of which are derived from ‘Mac Fhirghail’.

The surname McFarlane is derived from the same root as MacFarlane, but is a shortened form. It is often used as a variant with MacFarlane and MacFarlan.

Another related surname is MacKinlay, which is derived from the Scottish/Gaelic name ‘Mac Fhirghail’. The MacKinlay spelling is quite distinct from the McKerall spelling, as the ‘c’ of McKerall is replaced with a ‘k’ in MacKinlay. It is also anglicized from the Gaelic ‘Mhic Fhearghail’ to ‘Mackinlay’.

Finally, the surname Makkall is derived from the Irish Gaelic name ‘Mac Fhirghail’. The spelling is slightly different from McKerall, as the ‘c’ is replaced with a ‘k’.

Overall, the surname McKerall has many variants, spellings, and related surnames. These include MacFirall, McFarall, MacFarlane, MacFarland, MacPharall, McFarlane, MacFarlan, MacPharlin, McFarlan, MacFarlane, McFarlane, MacKinlay, and Makkall.

Famous people with the name McKerall

• Justin McKerall: Canadian Paralympic wheelchair rugby athlete
• Peggy McKerall: Canadian professional golfer
• Mary McKerall: Scottish poet
• Gordon McKerall: Professional hockey player
• John McKerall: American Colonization Society delegate
• William McKerall: American college football coach
• Sir Thomas McKerall: Chief Justice of Jamaica
• Kyle McKerall: Australian Paralympic swimmer
• Ethel McKerall: First Lady of British Guiana
• Len McKerall: Canadian Professional Football player

Other surnames

McKerachan