McHale is a Gaelic name strongly rooted in County Mayo in the west of Ireland.
Where does the McHale name come from?
McHale is generally an anglicised form of the Gaelic Mac Céile or Mac Héil, a name found in Connacht. One tradition holds that the family descends from a Welsh settler named Howell who became thoroughly Gaelicised, his name reshaped into the Mac form. It is also seen simply as Hale.
McHale in Ireland
The name belongs especially to County Mayo, where the McHales have long been established and remain numerous. It is well remembered through John McHale, the nineteenth-century Archbishop of Tuam, a famous champion of the Irish language and people. As a settled western name, McHale is found today across Ireland and among the diaspora in the United States, Canada, Australia and Britain.
Related Irish family names
You may also like McHugh, McGowan, and Barry.
Carry the McHale name with you
We craft heritage gifts for thousands of Irish and Scottish family names — mugs, woven blankets, ornaments and more. To find yours, type it into the search bar at the top of the page, or browse the McHale collection here.
Frequently asked questions
Is McHale an Irish surname?
Yes — McHale is a Gaelic Irish surname strongly associated with County Mayo.
What does McHale mean?
It is generally from the Gaelic Mac Céile or Mac Héil; one tradition links it to a Gaelicised Welsh settler named Howell.
Is there a McHale family crest?
Families of the name have heraldic traditions; the crest and tartan artwork on our McHale products is created as decorative heritage artwork to celebrate the name.