McColl (surname)
McColl is a Scottish and Irish surname with several possible origins.
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Scottish Origin: It is derived from the Gaelic name "MacColla," meaning "son of Colla." "Colla" is an old personal name of uncertain origin, possibly related to the Gaelic word "calg" meaning "sword" or "blade," or perhaps a diminutive of "Nicholas" (Nicol). Clans such as Clan Donald and Clan MacDougall claim descent from Colla Uais, a legendary Irish High King.
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Irish Origin: In Ireland, the name can also be an Anglicized form of the Gaelic "Mac Coil," meaning "son of Coill." "Coill" is a personal name, potentially deriving from "coill," meaning "wood" or "forest."
The surname McColl is found predominantly in Scotland and Northern Ireland, as well as among descendants of Scottish and Irish immigrants in countries such as the United States, Canada, and Australia. Spelling variations are common, including McCaul, McColls, and McCall.