From Where Does The Surname Originate? ^{meaning and history}

User-submitted Reference

Our surname was originally spelled MacCuill. Which means "son of Hazael". The first known MacCuill was Dagda MacCuill, son of Prince Elatha. Dagda MacCuill was born Eochaidh Ollathair, but changed his name to Dagda MacCuill, to honor his God Hazael, when he became Ard Ri (High King) of Ireland. He was High King from 1823 BC - 1744 BC. The name was not used again until his son Cremait's son, Ethur MacCuill became Ard Ri of Ireland. Ethur MacCuill ruled jointly with his two brothers over Ireland for 30 years. Their reign ended with the Milesian Invasion of Ireland. Ethur MacCuill ruled from 1723 BC - 1694 BC. (These dates are recorded in the book "Annals of the Four Masters").

The next major date in Clan MacKall history is when they are exiled with the 3 Collas brothers in 326 AD for killing the Ard Ri of Ireland in 323 AD. They are exiled to Scotland with the 3 Collas brothers and the other Clans that supported the Collas Rebellion. In 329 AD the 3 Colla brothers along with 9 retainers each are allowed to return to Ireland, but the Clans that helped them are still exiled.

During the Crusades Clan MacKall went with Alan Fitz Walter Stewart on the 3rd Crusade with King Richard, from 1190 AD - July 1191 AD. It is unknown if they returned with the Stewart or stayed to fight. They also went on another Crusade thought to have been the 5th Crusade. I know that John Stewart son of Alan Fitz Walter Stewart died in the 7th Crusade in Egypt.

In 1314 at the Battle of Bannockburn, Clan MacKall is credited with following Angus Og MacDonald into the Battle. (According to Clan MacDonald history).

During the mid to late 1500s, the Earl of Sinclair resigned his title to his Earldom from falling into the hands of his eldest son. During this time James MacKall became Baron of Caithness. This happened two other times during this period. So that a younger more worthy son could inherit the Earldom. Once the previous Earl died, James MacKall returned the Earldom to the new Earl. (I have only ever found 2 documents on this issue), (Chieftain Peter John Dundas McCall, of St. Quivox & Birkenshaw, Sept of Clan MacAualy, stated this and claimed to have seen a record of this), sadly he passed away and the record is now lost.

James MacKall, Baron of Caithness, is known to have had at least one son, Samuel MacKall, The Gentleman of Glasgow. Samuel married Margaret Dundas, daughter of Robert Dundas, Granddaughter of Sir George Dundas, of Dundas. They had at least 2 sons Robert and James.

Some time in the early to mid 1600's Clan MacKall of Caithness was forced to flee the Highlands due to non-conformity to the Roman Catholic Church. They fled to Ulster, it is believed the Armagh area. In 1650, Prince Charles II came to Ireland to find Scottish ex-patriots to help him retake the throne. James and Robert joined and became Captain's in the King's Lyfe Guard of Foote. It is unclear how many members of the Clan joined. To prevent being recognised James and Robert changed their last names to James MacKallroy and Robert MacKalbla. What is known is that 3 McCalls where captured at the Battle of Dunbar. Captain James MacKallroy, Captain Robert MacKalbla, and Duncan McCall. All 3 where marched to Durham Cathedral and from their marched to the ship called "Unity" to be sent to the Colonies as indentured slaves.

James is the only one we have a record of after being released from the Saugus Iron works. His line continues to this day. His 3rd Great Grandson Ebenezer MacKall, Esq., was granted a new Coat of Arms, after the previous had been lost at Dunbar. His grandson is the current Captain & Armiger of the Clan. The Lord Lyon has stripped the "of" out of Caln MacKall of Caithness and made it Clan MacKall (Caithness), as we no longer own any land there.

As we no longer have enough officially recognized Armigers we can not at this time elect a new Chief or Commander.