Surname McCall - Meaning and Origin

Unraveling My McCall Ancestry through iGENEA: A Genetic Revelation of Deep-seated Identity and History

Long ignored ancestral histories and forgotten narratives have resurfaced through my DNA test with iGENEA, ultimately affecting my self-understanding. This testing has shown me facets of my McCall heritage that were unknown, rewriting my ancestral narrative.

I. McCall

McCall: What does the surname McCall mean?

The surname McCall is derived from the Gaelic name "Mac Cathail" which means "son of Cathal." The name Cathal itself originates from two Gaelic words, "cath" meaning battle and "val" meaning rule. Therefore, the full meaning of McCall could be interpreted as "son of the battle ruler." This common surname in Scotland and Ireland likely traces its roots back to ancient Celtic chieftains. The variations of the surname McCall include MacCall, McColl, and others. Over the centuries, members of the McCall clans have emigrated to various parts of the world, resulting in the name becoming widespread, particularly in English-speaking countries. The coat of arms of the McCall clan signifies a sense of honor or glory, further supporting the interpretation of its Gaelic origins.

McCall: Where does the name McCall come from?

The surname McCall originates from Gaelic Scotland. It comes from the Gaelic personal name "Cathal," which means "powerful in battle." There are also associations with the Habitational name from East Lothian, McHale. It underwent various spelling changes over time and eventually became McCall.

McCall is predominantly found in the regions of North America, specifically in the United States of America. According to recent census data, it is most populous in the Southern states, particularly Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, and South Carolina. There are also significant populations in Ireland and Australia. However, while it continues to primarily be a western surname, global migration patterns have spread it around the world.

Variations of the surname McCall

The surname McCall is of Scottish and Irish origin. It's derived from the Gaelic name Mac Cathmhaoil, meaning "son of Cathmhaol," a personal name composed of 'cath,' meaning 'battle,' and 'maol,' meaning 'chief.' Variants of the surname McCall could include McCaul, McHale, MacHale, and McCale, due to similar phonetic sounds and spelling.

But beyond these, there may also be commonly misspelled versions such as McCalll (extra "L"), McCaal, or MacCall, due to its phonetic kinship.

Variations can also come with the inclusion or exclusion of the prefix 'Mac' or 'Mc', which denotes 'son of'. It's quite common for these surnames to also exist in a form without this prefix, resulting in variants like Call or Cale.

Additionally, other versions of the name might include Mackall, Makall, and even McCaw, especially in Ireland. Due to historical migration and anglicisation, some another distant variations, especially found in the United States, are Michaels or even Mitchell, where the original etymology has been somewhat lost over generations.

It's important to note that various spellings of the same original surname can exist, often due to factors like immigration, translation, or just personal preference.

Famous people with the name McCall

• Michael McCall: musician, songwriter, and session guitarist.
• Gordon McCall: former National Hockey League (NHL) player from Canada.
• Deborah Ann McCall: American actress and singer.
• Terence David McCall: Australian artist, printmaker, sculptor, and muralist.
• Ginger McCall: American civil liberties consultant and director of the Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC).
• Cassandra McCall: American film and television actress.
• Joseph N. McCall: American soldier, historian, art collector, and writer.
• John McCall: U.S. Representative from Texas.
• Mary McCall: British cathedral musician.
• Alan McCall: British professor of literary and cultural studies.
• John K. McCall: American politician and lawyer.
• R. Bruce McCall: American painter and illustrator.
• Pat McCall: Irish Gaelic footballer and manager.
• Angus McCall: Scottish entrepreneur, landowner and politician.
• Edwin McCall: American lawyer and politician.

Other surnames

McCalebMcCalibMcCalipMcCallanMcCallenMcCallinMcCallionMcCallonMcCallumMcCallyMcCalmont