Mccaul

The surname McCaul is of Scottish origin, derived from the Gaelic personal name "Cathal" meaning "warrior" or "powerful". The name first appeared in the regions of Argyll and the Western Isles of Scotland during the 11th century.

The earliest recorded spelling of the name was in the ancient manuscript the Book of Deer, a 9th-century Latin manuscript from the monastery of Old Deer in Aberdeenshire, where it appeared as "Cathel" in the year 1107. The name evolved over time, taking on various spellings such as MacCaull, McCauill, and McCaul before settling on the modern spelling of McCaul.

In the 13th century, the name McCaul was associated with the island of Islay, where several prominent families bore the name. One notable example is Duncan McCaul, who was recorded as the Seneschal or Governor of Islay in 1292.

During the 16th century, the McCauls were among the clans who allied themselves with the powerful Clan Donald, and their names were recorded in various charters and legal documents of the time. A notable figure from this period was Angus McCaul, a renowned warrior who fought alongside the MacDonalds in the Battle of Traigh Ghruinneart in 1598.

In the 17th century, the McCauls were part of the Scottish diaspora, with many members of the clan emigrating to Ireland and the American colonies. One notable bearer of the name was Reverend Thomas McCaul (1807-1887), an Irish clergyman and scholar who served as the Principal of University College, Toronto, and made significant contributions to the study of Hebrew and biblical literature.

Other notable individuals with the surname McCaul include:

1. John McCaul (1819-1889), a Canadian architect and civil engineer who designed many notable buildings in Toronto, including the Provincial Lunatic Asylum and the University College building.

2. Margaret McCaul (1788-1856), an Irish novelist and playwright known for her works such as "Bertram: A Tragedy" and "The Fate of the Green Dragon".

3. Robert McCaul (1799-1863), a British lawyer and member of parliament who served as the Attorney General of Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) in the 1840s.

4. Alexander McCaul (1799-1863), a Scottish-born Anglican clergyman and academic who served as the Regius Professor of Hebrew at the University of Cambridge from 1838 until his death.

5. Ethel McCaul (1887-1967), a Canadian artist and illustrator best known for her illustrations in children's books and magazines during the early 20th century.