can generally track their origins from these four main migrations in Scotland, mainly showing fealty to larger clans in those regions: With Clan Chattan Federation but with their own chief and allied to Clan Mackintosh. With Clan Cameron from the 16th century forward. With Clan Campbell and others around Argyll and generally not associated. With Clan Mackay in the north of Scotland, but no evidence of association with the other three above. In Folklore The poet John Leyden, was an enthusiastic collector of old folklore. He compiled a poem "The mermaid". It is based on a gaelic traditional ballad, called MacPhail of Colonsay, and the Mermaid of Corrivrekin. The story states that this MacPhail was carried off by a mermaid, that they lived together in a grotto beneath the sea, that she bore him five children but finally he tired of her and escaped to land. Notable Descendants Other Gaelic Derivatives Irish Derivatives McFall, McFaul and McPhails records are found clustered in Ulster especially around Antrim and Derry.They appear to date from the British Plantation period. Other derivations found include MacPhóil, MacPóil, MacPaul, MacVail, Vail, Paulson, Polson and Powlson Manx Derivatives (no known connection) MacPhaayl, Maelfabhail; From the book, Manx Names of 1890 by Arthur William Moore: "Phail is Anglicised from Maelfabhail. Maelfabhail, son of Muircheartach, slain by the Norsemen" Notes https://groups.io/g/McPhail-Genealogy https://www.gwsfhs.org.uk/surname/macphail/ https://www.gwsfhs.org.uk/surname/Paul/ References :Category:Clan Mackintosh Scottish clans Celtic clans Highlands and Islands of Scotland Clans Clans Names by culture Clans Clans Clans