MACDOUAL, Macdouall, Macdowall, Macdowell: G, MacDhughaill, 'son of Dougal ( Dougall )', which see. The claim of the Macdowells of Galloway to be descended from the ancient native lords of Galloway can neither be disproved nor can it be satisfactorily established (Maxwell, Dumfries, p. 103-105). Mactheuel witnessed a charter by Uchtredus filius Fergusi of the church of Colmanele in the reign of Malcolm IV (LSC., p. 19). Fergus McDuhile in Wigton was juror on inquest at Berwick, 1296, and in same year as Fergus MacDowilt rendered homage (Bain, II, p. 198,215). He is probably the Fergus MacDowile who witnessed a charter by William, lord of Douglas, 1306-29 (RHM., l, p. 13). In 1307 a pardon was granted Elyas de Vaus at the request of Duncan MacDuel (Bain, II, p. 510), and in same year Dungall MacDouyl, senior, for services rendered, requested for his son Dungal, junior, the marriage of the daughter and heiress of Hugh de Champaigne, deceased, a tenant in capite (ibid., p. 507). Sir Duugal M'Douwille, sheriff of Dumfries and constable of the castle, and his brother, Fergus M'Douwille, are mentioned in 1312 (ibid., III, 278). Dugald McDowille, knight, was witness in Galloway, 1347 and 1354 (Pap. Lett., III, p. 396; Bain, III, 1578), Master Patrick Macduoel was archdeacon of Whiteherne before 1390 (Pap. Pet., I, p. 575), and Gilbert Macduyl was archdeacon of Sodor before 1416 (ibid., p. 605). Vhtred Mcduwell de Dalquheane, notary public, 1515, appears in following year as Wthred Mcduuyll de Dalhowane (REG., 491,492). John McCoull in Overgarrell is mentioned in connection with Douglas of Drumlanrig, 1609, his name in one instance being spelled McOull (RPC., VIII, p. 701). John McQuhoull in Arbrak was summoned to appear before the Privy Council, 1621 (RPC., XII, p. 533). Margaret M'Dull and Janet Makdull appear in Edinburgh, 1602 and 1677 (Edinb. Marr,), and Patrick McDull was skipper in Leith, 1675 (Edin. App.). The late Dr. Trotter in his Galloway gossip: Kirkcudbright shire (p. 218) gives successive changes of this name:

M'Douell 1547, Makdoval 1590, M'Dovele 1474, M'Dowele and Makdovele 1473, Makdowale 1545, Makdowelle 1391, M'Dule 1615, M'Gowall 1571. The following spellings are also given in RMS,: McDowale, McDowalle, McDowelle, McDowylle, McDowll, McDoville, McDovylle; and in 1684 (Parish) we have McDole, McDoll, McDouell, McDoul, McDowal, McDual, McDuall, M'Kdowall. In north of Ireland it became Madole.

McDHOIL, McDOWELL: (Gaelic.) The son of Dowell or Dougall, the dark stranger. From dhu, black, and gall, a native of the low country of Scotland; any one ignorant of the Gaelic language; a foreigner, a stranger. The same as McDougall.