TheNameDBMacaulay
PatronymicMeaning
Son of Olaf, a Norse personal name.
Etymology
The 'Mac-' prefix means 'son of' in Scottish Gaelic, while Aulay is a Gaelic form of the Norse name Olaf, meaning 'ancestor's relic.' This reflects Norse-Gaelic cultural mixing in the Hebrides.
About the Macaulay Surname
A prominent Scottish clan surname originating from the Hebrides, particularly associated with the Isle of Skye. The name reflects the historical Norse influence in the Scottish islands.
Distribution
Primarily the Isle of Skye and Hebrides, with significant diaspora in North America and Australia.
Notable Bearers
Thomas Babington Macaulay (19th-century historian and politician), Rose Macaulay (20th-century novelist)