MacCathail History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Ireland
Scotland

Etymology of MacCathail

What does the name MacCathail mean?

The surname MacCathail is an Anglicization of the Irish Mac Coirleasa. Later the name evolved to Mac Cathail and Mac Carluis. The forename Cathal is equivalent to Charles. 1

Early Origins of the MacCathail family

The surname MacCathail was first found in Ui Maine, but now the name is mostly found in Co. Galway. 1

O'Hart notes that Cathal, brother of Inrachtach was the ancestor of O'Donallain which is Anglicized as Donnellan. "This Cathal was the 18th Christian King of Connaught." (O'Hart) His son, Ardgall "died a saint at Hye, in Scotland A.D. 786." Cathal as a forename continued in this lineage for many years.

Early History of the MacCathail family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our MacCathail research. Another 220 words (16 lines of text) covering the years 1356, 1390, 1432, 1571, 1585, 1612, 1626, 1817, 1840 and 1856 are included under the topic Early MacCathail History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

MacCathail Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Corless, Corliss, Carlos, Charles, MacCorless, MacCathail and many more.

Early Notables of the MacCathail family

Hugh MacCauaghwell (1571-1626), who was appointed the Archbishop of Armagh in the year that he died. Henry George Corliss (1817-88) was an American engineer and the inventor...
Another 26 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early MacCathail Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the MacCathail family

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: George Corliss, who came to Newbury, MA in 1639; William Corless, who arrived in Philadelphia in 1807; Anna Gannon Carloss, who settled in Maryland in 1851.

The MacCathail 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: Subditus fidelis regis et salus regni
Motto Translation: A subject faithful to the King and the safety of the kingdom

Sources +

MacLysaght, Edward, Supplement to Irish Families. Baltimore: Genealogical Book Company, 1964. Print.