Re: What does this last name mean?
in reply to a message by McCalliog
I too am wondering about this name. It's very rare and it seems the experts have overlooked it. I can't find an Irish language original, which would give us a start in trying to find the meaning. Here's a suggestion; try to find an old book called "Irish Names and Surnames" (Sloinnte Gaedhael is Gall), by the Rev. Patrick Woulfe. You might be lucky and find it in a library. I'm not saying MacCalliog will be in there, but that's because I can't get hold of a copy myself. I know McCalliog is not listed in Edward MacLysaght's "Surnames of Ireland", which is my main Irish reference.
I did think it might be Mac Ceallaigh Óig in Irish, "son of Young Ceallach", but I'm now sure it's not. It's a Donegal name and is found in the same area as the name McCallig. I'm sure that they are two versions of the one name, and that leads me to conclude that the o is intrusive, or that it's a relic of the Irish spelling where it wouldn't be pronounced.
I did think it might be Mac Ceallaigh Óig in Irish, "son of Young Ceallach", but I'm now sure it's not. It's a Donegal name and is found in the same area as the name McCallig. I'm sure that they are two versions of the one name, and that leads me to conclude that the o is intrusive, or that it's a relic of the Irish spelling where it wouldn't be pronounced.