Surname MacDougall of Barra - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'M'
MacDougall of Barra: What does the surname MacDougall of Barra mean?
The last name MacDougall originates from Scottish Gaelic culture and is derived from the Gaelic personal name “Dubhghall,” which translates to “dark stranger.” The prefix "Mac" in the name means "son of," so MacDougall can be understood as "son of the dark stranger." This term was often used by the Gaels to describe the darker-haired Scandinavians, contrasting with the blonde-haired Danes who were known as "Fionnghall" or "fair stranger." The phrase "of Barra" indicates that the lineage hails from the island of Barra in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland. So, "MacDougall of Barra" refers to a descended lineage from a dark stranger who resided on or was associated with the island of Barra. The MacDougall clan played a significant role in Scottish history, being involved in various wars and power struggles over centuries.
Order DNA origin analysisMacDougall of Barra: Where does the name MacDougall of Barra come from?
The last name MacDougall of Barra originates from Scotland, specifically from the Western Isles region. The name MacDougall itself is of Gaelic origin and translates to ‘son of Dougal’. Dougal or Dugald stands for ‘dark stranger’, a term used by native Gaels for foreigners, particularly for the Vikings. The MacDougall of Barra branch comes from the Scottish Clan Dougall and is named after the island of Barra in the Outer Hebrides.
In regard to its commonality today, this particular variant of the MacDougall surname, that is MacDougall of Barra, is quite rare. However, the more general MacDougall last name has spread significantly beyond Scotland due to historical patterns of migration and diaspora. It is found frequently in English-speaking countries like the United States, Canada, and Australia. Within Scotland, the name is likely to be more common in the western regions, being historically connected to those areas. However, it is generally spread across the country. Exact distribution data is difficult to obtain due to the relatively small scale of the name's prevalence.
Variations of the surname MacDougall of Barra
The surname MacDougall has many variant spellings due to various periods of Anglicization, Gaelicization, and translations over history. These spelling variations include MacDowall, MacDowell, MacDugald, MacDill, McDougall, McDowell, and Duggall. Some of the variants reflect the name's geographical roots and different regions in Scotland.
The surname "MacDougall" originates from the Gaelic personal name "Dubhghall", which means "dark stranger". This word was used by the Gaels to describe the Scandinavian Vikings that settled in the western isles of Scotland during the early Middle Ages. The name MacDougall translates as "son of Dubhghall".
The surname of MacDougall of Barra is associated particularly with the Clan MacDougall which descends from Dugall, the eldest son of Somerled, a 12th-century Lord of the Isles. The MacDougalls are therefore classed as a branch of Clan Donald (MacDonalds), another dominant Scottish clan.
In addition to MacDougall of Barra as a specific recognized branch, the name MacDougall is linked to various Scottish regions such as Argyll, Galloway, and Perthshire. Barra is an island in the Outer Hebrides, and the variant here could be a way of distinguishing family lines within the broader MacDougall clan.
Famous people with the name MacDougall of Barra
- Lord John MacDougall of MacDougall of Barra (1914-2008), peer of the United Kingdom.
- Christopher MacDougall (born 1973), author of the bestselling book Born to Run.
- Richard MacDougall, former Governor of the Leeward Islands from 1812 to 1814.
- Dougald MacDougall (1853-1921), newspaper proprietor and politician.
- Harriette MacDougall (1871-1959), Scottish suffragist.
- James Alexander MacDougall (1862-1941), Canadian Member of Parliament in the House of Commons.
- Gordon MacDougall, 19th century Scottish merchant and politician.
- Robert MacDougall (1737-1829), missionary and teacher of Gaelic.
- Andrew MacDougall of Barra (1781-1837), Scottish courtier and writer.
- Alistair MacDougall (1792-1851), Gaelic poet and minister of the Church of Scotland.