MacCaw

MacCaw is a surname of Gaelic origin. In its most common form, it is a patronymic name built with the element Mac, meaning “son of,” combined with a second element that reflects a given name or nickname in Gaelic. The precise origin of the second element varies in historical records and may be difficult to determine with certainty.

Historically, the name has been found in Gaelic-speaking regions such as Ireland and Scotland. Through subsequent migration and diaspora, individuals and families bearing the surname MacCaw have spread to other parts of the British Isles and beyond, including North America, Australia, and parts of the Caribbean.

Variants and related forms have arisen through anglicization and regional pronunciation. Common spellings include McCaw and Macaw, while other related forms may appear in historical documents depending on phonetic transcription and immigration records.

The surname MacCaw remains relatively uncommon in contemporary population data. Like many Gaelic-origin surnames, its distribution today is influenced by historical migration patterns, intermarriage, and changes in spelling over time.

See also: McCaw, Macaw, Gaelic surnames.