Surname Cahell - Meaning and Origin
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Cahell: What does the surname Cahell mean?
The last name Cahell is of Irish origin. It is derived from the Gaelic term caol, which can mean both “narrow” and “lovely”. It is believed to have originated as a byname for someone who lived on a narrow piece of land. In Ireland, it was usually given in the county of Donegal and was often spelled Cahill.
The Cahell family is believed to have been descended from a man named Tadhg, who was chieftain of Cineál Chonaire, a kingdom in Donegal in the early 13th century. They were part of the Uí Néill dynasty, which was the ruling power in the area. The family spread to other parts of Ireland and also to England and the United States, where they continued to hold important positions.
The meaning of the name Cahell today is thought to represent someone with a strong will and determination. People with this name are often independent thinkers and are very direct in their approach to problem solving. They have a unique ability to turn situations around and bring a positive outcome. They often have a strong moral compass and are often good listeners and consolers when someone is in need.
Today, the Cahell name can be seen scattered throughout the world, and the legacy of the Uí Néill dynasty in Donegal can still be felt in some of the most modern of settings. Whether through old stories and tales, or through small reminders of history that still exist, the Cahell name will remain a part of Irish culture for many generations to come.
Order DNA origin analysisCahell: Where does the name Cahell come from?
The last name Cahell can be found primarily in areas where there is a large concentration of Irish people. In Ireland, the name Caughell was first established in County Tyrone in the province of Ulster where it was a sept of the McKenna clan. This last name is most common in Ireland and some parts of the United Kingdom. It is also found among Irish-Americans in the United States, especially parts of the Midwest and New England. Most of the individuals with this last name in the US can track their origins to Irish immigrants who came to America during famine times in the 19th century. The name can also be found in parts of South Africa where many Irish immigrants settled from the late 19th century to early 20th century. In Australia, strong Irish-Australian ties suggest the presence of the name Cahell, particularly in Victoria and New South Wales.
This surmise is supported by data from many surname distribution websites which show that the last name Cahell is most commonly found in Ireland followed by the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand. This provides a good indication of the places where the surname is likely to be most common today.
Variations of the surname Cahell
The surname Cahell has multiple variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. These include Cahill, Keal, O'Cahill, and O'Keal.
The surname Cahill is a variant of Cahell and is predominately found in the counties of Kilkenny, Tipperary and Limerick in the Republic of Ireland and in parts of Counties Leitrim and Wexford. It is derived from either the Irish surname ‘Mac an Choil’ or the Gaelic surname ‘Ó Cadhla’, meaning ‘descendant of Cathal’. The name originates from the ancient Gaelic surname ‘Mac Cathail’, whose meaning is ‘son of Cathail’, ‘son of the Battle Chief.’
The names Keal and O'Keal are associated with the old Irish name ‘Mac Aoidh’ or ‘Mac Eathail’ and is believed to have come from the Gaelic phrase ‘coillte’, meaning ‘wood’. The name denotes a person born in the area of woodland. However, some claim it is derived from the surname ‘Mac Cadhail’, with the meaning ‘son of Cathal.’
O’Cahill is primarily an Irish-Gaelic name and is the anglicized form of the surname ‘Ó Cadhla’. This unisex given name means ‘descendent of Cathal.’ Like its variants, O’Cahill derives from the ancient Gaelic name ‘Mac Cathal’ and is thought to mean ‘son of the Battle Chief’.
In conclusion, the surname Cahell has multiple variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. These include Cahill, Keal, O'Cahill, and O'Keal, each of which has its own unique origin.
Famous people with the name Cahell
- Thomas Cahill: a New York Times bestselling author and renowned scholar.
- Gareth Cahill: an Irish football player who played for the Premier League team Sunderland.
- Patrick Cahill: a prominent Irish politician and former Taoiseach (prime minister) of the Republic of Ireland.
- Mike Cahill: an American film director, producer, and screenwriter who has won numerous awards for his work.
- Sean Cahill: a retired American professional soccer player who was a member of the United States men's national soccer team.
- Patricia Cahill: an American artist who is best known for her large-scale, multi-media paintings.
- Tony Cahill: an Australian former professional rugby league footballer who played in the National Rugby League.
- Marie Cahill: a Canadian actress and television host who has hosted several popular shows including The Zone and Off The Record.
- Hannah Cahill: an American actress who has appeared in films such as The Hangover Part III and Grown Ups.
- Stephen Cahill: a British actor who is best known for his roles in television series such as Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows and Sherlock.