The spelling of the surname "McCulley" uses the phonemic system of English. It is commonly pronounced as /məˈkʌli/ or "muh-cul-ee" in IPA phonetic transcription. The "Mc" prefix of the name indicates Scottish or Irish ancestry. In Gaelic, "Mac" means "son of," with "Culley" being a variant of the name "McCauley," derived from the Gaelic "MacAmhalghaidh." The spelling of surnames often reflects cultural and linguistic history, providing clues to family ancestry and origins.