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Home › Baby Names Directory › Mccauley

Mccauley

♂ Boy

Pronounced muh-KAW-lee /məˈkɔ.li/High

Meaning: McCauley (also MacAulay) is an Irish and Scottish surname, from Mac Amhalghaidh, 'son of Amhalghadh'; some Scottish lines instead trace it to the Norse name Olaf ('ancestor's descendant'). Both routes are documented, which we note.Low

In 30 seconds: Mccauley is an Irish and Scottish surname — 'son of Amhalghadh', with a Norse Olaf line too (said 'muh-KAW-lee').
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Origin LowIrish, Scottish
MeaningMcCauley (also MacAulay) is an Irish and Scottish surname, from Mac Amhalghaidh, 'son of Amhalghadh'; some Scottish lines instead trace it to the Norse name Olaf ('ancestor's descendant'). Both routes are documented, which we note.
U.S. rank (2024)#13498 ↘ Falling
2024 U.S. births5 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year1993
Total births (all-time)≈ 94

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 199319912024

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Mccauley comes from Gaelic Mac Amhalghaidh, 'son of Amhalghadh', a surname of both Ireland and Scotland; among the Hebridean MacAulays the name is instead linked to Norse Olaf, a reminder of how far the Vikings reached. As a given name it is a warm, three-beat surname pick (said 'muh-KAW-lee').

It appears rarely for boys in the U.S. Rare, Gaelic-rooted, and friendly.

Did you know? Mccauley has two family trees: in Ireland it is 'son of Amhalghadh', while some Scottish MacAulays trace instead to the Norse name Olaf. We note both (said 'muh-KAW-lee').
Overall data confidence 48%
References — Mccauley — Mac Amhalghaidh; Scottish MacAulay / Norse Olaf line

Variations

MacaulayMacAulayMcAuley

Nicknames

MacCauley

Famous Bearers

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If you like Mccauley…

Macaulay— the same surname, other spelling
Mccoy— a like Mc- Gaelic surname
Mckinley— shares the -ey ending
Mackinley— shares Mccauley's Scottish roots
Macauley— another Scottish name

Explore names like Mccauley

By themeirishsurnamescottishgaelic

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Mccauley mean?

Mccauley is a Gaelic surname from Mac Amhalghaidh, 'son of Amhalghadh'; some Scottish lines link it instead to the Norse name Olaf.

How do you pronounce Mccauley?

It's said muh-KAW-lee /məˈkɔ.li/ — three syllables, stress on the second.

Is Mccauley a boy or girl name?

Mccauley is used as a boy's name.

How popular is Mccauley?

Mccauley is a rare name for boys in the U.S.

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