This is an anglicized form of the Gaelic names 'Mac Con Ulaidh' and 'Mac an Fhailghigh'. The former, composed of the elements 'mac' - a son, 'con' - a hound and 'uladh' - ulster, means 'The son of the hound of Ulster'. Most present day name-bearers are found in East Ulster (counties Armagh and Monaghan), where the more usual Anglicization of the name MacNally or MacAnally. The form McInally contains the shortened form of the Gaelic 'mac' - a son. The name 'Mac an Fhailghigh' means 'son of the poor man' and is mainly found as Nally in the Connacht counties of Mayo and Roscommon. Further anglicization include MacAnully, MacEnolly, MacNally and Knally. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Mac Con Uladh (of 'Ulidia' - Eastern Ulster), which was dated 1659 - Petty's Census, during the reign of Commonwealth in England, 1649 - 1659. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.

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