Surname MacAnally - Meaning and Origin
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MacAnally: What does the surname MacAnally mean?
MacAnally is a surname of Irish origin. This last name is an anglicized form of the original Irish name "Mac an Fhailí", which means "son of the poor man". Sometimes the spelling might vary, and it can also be written as McAnally, McAnelly, or McEnally. Different branches of the family adopted different spellings. This practice was influenced by various factors including immigration and regional pronunciation. Though meaning 'son of the poor man,' this does not necessarily imply that the family was historically impoverished. Surnames often referred to a notable ancestor, and at times they were created to honor an ancestor's achievement or characteristic. Therefore, this surname could possibly have been originally given to the son of a man who was notable for his kindness to the poor, his humble nature or his religious piety. It is difficult to pinpoint an exact event or individual that led to the creation of this surname due to a lack of historical documents. However, those bearing the MacAnally surname are part of a rich cultural history and tradition.
Order DNA origin analysisMacAnally: Where does the name MacAnally come from?
The surname MacAnally originates from Ireland. The name, also spelt as MacAnalley or McAnally, is derived from the Gaelic 'Mac an Fhailghigh', which means 'son of the poor man'. It is considered a patronymic surname as it was typically conferred from a father to his offspring. This surname was first recorded in the 12th century and usually belonged to individuals from the province of Ulster.
As with many other Irish surnames, MacAnally is most prevalent in Ireland, particularly in the northern region. It is also reasonably common in other English-speaking countries due to the Irish diaspora. The popularity of the name has slightly decreased but is fairly common in the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada. Due to migration and the worldwide spread of people of Irish descent, the surname can also be found in other parts of the world, albeit in smaller numbers.
Variations of the surname MacAnally
The surname MacAnally originates from Ireland, where it was derived from the Gaelic name "Mac an Fhailghigh," which means "son of the poor man." Variations in the spelling of MacAnally over the centuries have included McNally, McAnally, McNalley, and McEnally. Some of these are due to the way surnames were often written based on how they sounded, leading to inconsistencies.
The surname can also appear with a prefix of "Mac" or "Mc," both of which mean "son of" in Gaelic. In some families, this prefix may have been dropped over time. Other variations include Anally, Nally, and Nalley.
Due to the migration of Irish people to other countries, especially during the Great Famine in the 19th century, the surname can also be found in forms adapted to other languages or simplified for pronunciation. Anally, Annaly, Annelly, and Annally are some of these adaptations.
One of the more commonly known McAnally families came from County Roscommon in Ireland, and this specific lineage is sometimes alternatively spelled as MacConville. MacAnally is also related to the McNamee family, originating from the same Gaelic clan. Process of Anglicization of Irish names caused many alterations and misspellings, resulting in a variety of forms for the same original surname.
Famous people with the name MacAnally
- Mark Macanally: An American songwriter, record producer, and singer who has written singles for stars such as Kenny Chesney and Alabama.
- Randall Macanally: An American singer/songwriter from Texas who has written and recorded 7 solo albums.
- Anna MacAnally: An American producer, writer, and actress who is currently head writer and producer for the WB Network show Supernatural.
- Andrew MacAnally: An American actor and singer from Nashville, Tennessee, best known for his roles in the films Dead & Breakfast and Suburban Gothic.
- Emily MacAnally: An American actress best known for her role in the feature film Close Range.
- Aileen MacAnally: A Scottish actress, known for her roles in the TV films Taggart and Scotland Street.
- Bennie MacAnally: An American professional bass fisherman from Bay City, Texas who competes in the National Professional Fishing League.
- Patrick MacAnally: An American comedian and actor, best known for his roles in films such as Spring Break and Jack and Jill Vs. The World.
- Kay MacAnally: A British singer and songwriter from Belfast who has written multiple top 10 hits in both in the UK and Ireland.
- David MacAnally: An Irish actor, best known for his roles in the films Phone Booth and The Real Donnie Air.