Surname MacCorkle - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'M'
MacCorkle: What does the surname MacCorkle mean?
The surname MacCorkle is of Scottish origin. It is derived from MacCorkindale, a name that can be traced back to the Gaelic "MacCorcadail" with "Mac" meaning son, and "Corcadail" possibly related to the personal name "Corcadal". Its exact meaning is under debate, as is common with many old Gaelic names. Some say it means "son of the spear battler" or "son of the one who prevails in battle". Scotch-Irish MacCorkles are primarily found in Ireland and descendants can be found in the United States, Australia and Canada. The complete etymology and meaning of the name MacCorkle may not be entirely accurate, due to the complex history of Gaelic surnames and the numerous cultural and linguistic shifts Scotland and Ireland have experienced over time. It should also be noted that surnames can have numerous origins, applied for different reasons, and MacCorkle may have alternate derivations and meanings.
Order DNA origin analysisMacCorkle: Where does the name MacCorkle come from?
The surname MacCorkle is of Scottish origin, derived from the Gaelic name "MacCorcadail." The "Mac" part means "son of," so the literal translation is "son of Corcadail." There's also a possibility that it traces back to the old Irish surname "Mac Torcaill," meaning "son of Torcall."
The surname is not as common today, but it's likely to be found among individuals of Scottish or Irish descent, particularly in countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand where many Scottish and Irish immigrants settled. In the U.S., the name may be specifically associated with West Virginia, due to notable historical figures like William Alexander MacCorkle, a former governor of the state. Despite this, MacCorkle, like many surnames with Gaelic origins, is relatively rare in the present day. It is often subject to misspelling and pronunciation variations which contributes to its decreased prevalence.
Variations of the surname MacCorkle
The surname MacCorkle, of Scottish and Irish origin, has quite a few variations and spellings resulting from different regional dialects and phonetic translations over time. Its variants include MacCorkell, McCorkell, McCorkle, McKorkle, McKorkell, and Makcorkill.
The name is derived from the Gaelic "MacTorcaill" which translates to "son of Torcall". 'Mac' representing 'son of' and 'Torcaill' being a personal name. The surname has also appeared as MacCorcadal, MacCorcodale, and MacCorkindale in some historical records.
The varied dialects and the rural nature of ancient Ireland lead to different versions of MacCorkle which include McCorkill and even the Anglicization of Corkill in some regions.
In some cases, another variant of the surname, MacCorkill, has been shortened to Corkill. Another variant, MacCorkle, has sometimes been shortened to Corkle. These alterations of the original surname would primarily be found in Scotland and Northern Ireland, where the surname first originated.
Please note that regional variations and phonetic shifts can cause unexpected connections between names, so genealogical and historical research may be required to confirm familial relationships.
Famous people with the name MacCorkle
- William Gustavus Conley: He was an American Republican politician and lawyer, and named his son William MacCorkle Conley after his friend and former Governor of West Virginia, William A. MacCorkle.
- William A. MacCorkle: He was a prominent US lawyer and politician who served as the 9th Governor of West Virginia from 1893 to 1897.
- Laura MacCorkle: She is a contemporary Christian author and former Senior Editor and a contributor for Crosswalk.com, a Christian online publication.
- Samuel W. MacCorkle: A notable American businessman who founded MacCorkle Insurance Service.
- Londos D. MacCorkle: A historian and author best known for his work in the field of African history.
- Thomas MacCorkle: A professional basketball player in the European leagues, known for his skills as a point guard. Please note that the people listed are either directly named MacCorkle or have the last name in their title owing to historical or personal reasons, and may not all be equally prominent or internationally recognized.