MACCOLL

Also recorded as Mac Coll, Maccoll

MacColl

MacColl is a Gaelic and Scottish surname that originated from the west coast of Scotland. The name is an anglicised form of the Gaelic MacColuim, meaning "son of Columba". The given name Columba is of Latin origin, derived from Columbus and meaning "dove".

The surname MacColl has various spellings and forms, such as MacCall, Macaulay, and McCall. It is common in both Scotland and Ireland, reflecting the shared Celtic heritage of these nations. The name is borne by people of Scottish and Irish descent, with a significant presence in the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and the United States.

Historically, individuals with the surname MacColl have been affiliated with various professions such as clergy, academics, artists, and writers. Notable figures include the Scottish folklorist and song collector John MacColl, the folk musician and singer Ewan MacColl, and the Scottish nationalist politician and poet Hugh MacDiarmid.

The name MacColl evokes a sense of pride and heritage among those who bear it, symbolising a connection to the rich cultural tapestry of Scotland and Ireland. Today, the surname MacColl endures as a distinctive marker of Celtic identity and lineage.

There are approximately 685 people named MacColl in the UK. That makes it roughly the 9,857th most common surname in Britain. Around 11 in a million people in Britain are named MacColl.

Surname type: From name of parent

Origin: Celtic

Region of origin: British Isles

Country of origin: Scotland

Religion of origin: Christian

Language of origin: Gaelic

Typical given names associated with the surname

Male

  • Alex
  • Andrew
  • Angus
  • David
  • Donald
  • Duncan
  • Iain
  • James
  • John
  • Kenneth
  • Peter
  • Scott

Female

  • Alison
  • Anne
  • Catherine
  • Christine
  • Clare
  • Fiona
  • Janice
  • Jean
  • Margaret
  • Mary
  • Michelle
  • Sarah
  • Susan

Similar and related surnames

Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.

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