Dougall

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A Scottish surname and given name of Gaelic origin, borne by various people over the centuries
2. A proper name of Scottish Gaelic origin used as a family name and occasionally as a first name
3. A Gaelic-derived personal name common in Scotland, chiefly used as a surname for many families

Etymology: "Dougall" is a reduced form of "McDougall," the Scottish patronymic surname meaning "son of Dougal." The Gaelic personal name Dùghall, which combines "dubh" (dark) with a word for a foreigner or stranger, is the root of the surname, and the "Mac" prefix marks it as a son-of construction, as with many Scottish and Irish surnames. The shortened "Dougall" keeps the sound of the full name while dropping the "Mc" prefix. It is used as a given name and as a surname in its own right, and it is most common in Scotland and among Scottish-descended families elsewhere.