McAulay

McAulay is a surname of Scottish origin, an Anglicized form of the Gaelic Mac Amhlaidh (also seen as Mac Amhlaigh), meaning “son of Amhlaidh.” Amhlaidh is a Gaelic form related to Olaf, reflecting Norse-Gaelic contact in medieval Scotland. The Mac or Mc prefix signals patronymic heritage, a common feature in Gaelic surnames.

Variants and spellings of the name have diversified over time and across regions. Common forms include MacAulay, MacAuley, and McAuley, with some records showing Aulay or Auley as stand-alone surnames derived from the same given name.

Geographic distribution and history: McAulay and its variants are historically associated with Scotland, with particular ties to Gaelic-speaking communities in the Highlands and Islands. Through emigration in the 18th to 20th centuries, bearers of the name established communities in Canada, the United States, Australia, and New Zealand. In modern times, the surname remains most common in regions with Scottish heritage, though it is now dispersed globally.

Related names: The surname is closely linked to MacAulay and MacAmhlaidh in origin; related Anglicizations include MacAuley and McAuley.

For further detail on lineages, genealogical records from Scottish parishes and immigration archives in North America and Australasia can provide more specific information about individual family lines.