MacAulay (surname)

Macaulay
Gender	Unisex
Language(s)	English
Origin
Language(s)	Irish (Ir), Scottish Gaelic (SG)
Word/Name	1. MacAmhalghaidh (SG), Mac Amhalghaidh (Ir) 2. MacAmhlaibh (SG), MacAmhlaidh (SG), Mac Amhlaoibh (Ir)
Other names
Variant(s)	Macauley, MacAulay, McAulay, MacCamley, McCamley

Macaulay, Macauley, MacAulay, and McAulay are surnames in the English language. There are several etymological origins for the names: all of which originated as patronyms in several Gaelic languages—Irish and Scottish Gaelic. Although the English-language surnames are ultimately derived from Gaelic patronyms, the English-language surnames, and the modern Gaelic-language forms do not refer to the actual name of the bearer's father. In the United States, the surnames are not very common; according to census data, Macaulay and MacAulay (combined) are much more common than McAulay.

In some cases, the surnames are derived from the Scottish Gaelic MacAmhlaidh, or the Irish Gaelic Mac Amhalghaidh. These Gaelic surnames translate into English as "son of Amhalghaidh" or "son of Amhalghadh". The Gaelic surnames originated as a patronyms, however they no longer refer to the actual names of the bearer's father's. The personal name Amhalghaidh (also spelt Amhalghadh) is an old Gaelic name whose origin and meaning are uncertain.

In other cases, the surnames are derived from the Scottish Gaelic MacAmhlaibh or MacAmhlaidh, or the Irish Mac Amhlaoibh. These surnames translate into English as "son of Amhlaibh"; "son of Amhladh" or "son of Amhlaidh"; and "son of Amhlaoibh". The names Amhlaibh, Amhladh, Amhlaidh, and Amhlaoibh are Gaelic derivatives of the Old Norse personal names Áleifr and .

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