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Answer:
'Mael' has been in common
use both in Scotland and Ireland since early times. With so much shared culture
between Scotland and Ireland it is often difficult to determine exactly where a
name was first used.
The name 'Mael' means
'cropped', 'shaveling' or 'slave' and has been in use since pagan times. Later
meanings are translated as 'servant' or 'devotee'. It can be found in ogham
inscriptions. In early Gaelic society close-cropped hair was a sign of a servile
position. After conversion to Christianity the names of leading saints were used
as personal names with the addition of 'Mael' - for example, Mael-Coluim,
Mael-Patraic. The person so named was under the saint's charge or was born on
his day. At a later date 'Mael' gave place to 'Gille' (lad, youth, servant).
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