The first name McCauley is of Scottish origin, derived from the Gaelic 'Mac Thola', which means 'son of Thomas'. It's a rare and distinctive given name, often found in Scotland and among Scottish families elsewhere in the world. The name has gained some prominence through notable figures such as American actor McCaulay Culkin, but it remains relatively uncommon, allowing those who bear it to stand out.
"Mccauley saw peak popularity in the early '90s with 11 births recorded in 1993. After a steady decline, it remained consistent with around 5 births annually from 2005 onwards."