MacQueile History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland
Ireland

The Clan from whom the MacQueile family descends began among the ancient Dalriadan kingdom of the west coast of Scotland. Their name comes from the personal name Paul. The Gaelic form of the name was Mac Phail, which is normally Anglicized MacFail or MacPhail, and means son of Paul. 1

Early Origins of the MacQueile family

The surname MacQueile was first found in on the Isle of Man, where "this is one of the most widely distributed names in the island." 2

Early History of the MacQueile family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our MacQueile research. Another 107 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1100, 1327, 1500 and 1890 are included under the topic Early MacQueile History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

MacQueile Spelling Variations

Historical recordings of the name MacQueile include many spelling variations. They are the result of repeated translations of the name from Gaelic to English and inconsistencies in spelling rules. They include Quail, Quayle, Quaile, Quailes, McQuail, McQuayl and others.

Early Notables of the MacQueile family

More information is included under the topic Early MacQueile Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the MacQueile family to Ireland

Some of the MacQueile family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 70 words (5 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the MacQueile family

Significant portions of the populations of both the United States and Canada are still made up of the ancestors of Dalriadan families. Some of those in Canada originally settled the United States, but went north as United Empire Loyalists in the American War of Independence. The late 19th and early 20th centuries saw the ancestors of many Scots on both sides of the border begin to recover their collective national heritage through Clan societies and highland games. Some of the first North American settlers carried this name or one of its variants: Anne Quaile and her husband, who came to Virginia in 1623; Hugh Quale settled in Barbados in 1679; Joe Quyle settled in Virginia in 1635; John Quayle settled in Virginia in 1650.

The MacQueile Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Qualis ero spero
Motto Translation: I hope what I shall be.

Citations +

Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
Moore, A.W., Manx Names. London: Elliot Stock, 62 Paternoster Row, 1906. Print