McCaul

McCaul (Irish name: MacCathmhaoil)
Family name
Meaning "Son of Battle Chief"
Region of origin Tyrone, Ulster. Argyll
Language(s) of origin Gaelic
Related names MacCawell, Campbell, Cowell, Caghwell, and Caulfield

McCaul, MacCaul, or MacCathmhaoil in Irish Gaelic. The name originated from the Gaelic Patronymic name Mac Cathmhaoil, son of Cathmhaoil, a personal name composed of the elements "cath" meaning "battle" and "maol" meaning chief. The name Mac Cathmhaoil originated in Ulster and has been anglicized in many forms, including MacCawell, Campbell, Cowell, Caghwell, and Caulfield .[1][2][3][4][5][6] Were prominent around Tyrone, before the plantation of Ulster.

Contents

History

In the Annals of the Four Masters, under A.D. 1185, mention is made of Gillchreest MacCathmhaoil (MacCampbell or MacCowell), head chieftain of the Cineal Fereadaidh, who was slain by O'Negnaidh or O'Neney, aided by Muintir Chaonain or the O'Keenans. That Gillchreest MacCathmhaoil, was also head chieftain of clan Aongus, clan Dubhinreacht, clan Fogarty O'Ceannfhoda, and clan Colla of Fermanagh--"the chief of the councils of the north of Ireland." These Cathmhaoils were a powerful clan in Tyrone, and many of them in Monaghan, Louth and Armagh.

The sept MacCathmhaoil got their name from Cathmhaol (battle champion), descended from Feradhach son of Muireadhach son of Eoghan (son of Niall Naoighiallach) As the MacCathmhaoils were the leading sept of Cenél Fearadhaigh, they are often called Cenél Fearadhaigh,sometimes Cenél Fearadhaigh Theas, to distinguish them from the offshoots of Cenél Fearadhaigh who remained in Inishowen or thereabouts. The MacCathmhaol sept were fixed in the Clogher area of County Tyrone. It was their function to hold as a bastion for Cenél Eoghain against Cenél Conaill on the northwest and the descendants of the Colla on the south-west and south. Later they became an important church family. They receive mention in Ceart Ui Néil being, along with MacMurchaidh and O'Devlin, classed as "fircheithearna" (i.e. "true kerns") of O'Neill. Their importance is obvious from a glance at the events listed in connection with them under MacCathmhail in the index to the Annals of Ulster. A Kern (soldier) was a Gaelic soldier, specifically a light infantryman of Gaelic Ireland during the Middle Ages.

People

References

  1. ^ O'Hart, John. 1892 "Irish Pedigrees" http://books.google.com/books?id=2icbAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA519&dq=cathmhaoil,+o'hart&ei=P2KHSqvmE6fYkAT6_dT2CQ#v=onepage&q=&f=false
  2. ^ Mac Giolla Domhnaigh, Pádraig "Some Ulster Surnames"
  3. ^ Connor, Bernard. 1808. Dublin. "Clan Cathmhaoil or Caulfield Family"
  4. ^ MacLysaght, Edward. "More Irish Families"
  5. ^ MacLysaght, Edward. "The Surnames Of Ireland"
  6. ^ Colby, Thomas. Larcom, Thomas. 1837. "Ordnance Survey Of The County Of Londonderry, Volume 1"

External links