McAuliffe

McAuliffe is an Irish surname derived from the Gaelic Mac Amhalghaidh, meaning “son of Amhalghaidh.” It is one of several Anglicized renderings of that name, with variants including MacAuliffe, McAuley, and MacAulay. The surname is found in Ireland and among the Irish diaspora in North America, the United Kingdom, Australia, and elsewhere.

Notable people with the surname include Christa McAuliffe (1952–1986), an American schoolteacher and astronaut training candidate who died in the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster; and Terry McAuliffe (born 1957), an American politician who has served as Governor of Virginia and as a long-time Democratic political organizer. The name has appeared across various fields, from public service to education, contributing to its recognition in several English-speaking countries.

In addition to individuals, the name McAuliffe is used in commemorative and educational contexts in the United States and abroad. Educational institutions and centers have been named in honor of Christa McAuliffe, reflecting her legacy as an educator and her role in the history of space exploration. The surname continues to be encountered in genealogy, demographic studies, and biographical references linked to Irish heritage and its global diaspora.