The spelling of the word "McFall" can be explained using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) phonetic transcription. The first syllable "Mc" is pronounced as /mək/, with a schwa sound followed by a hard "k". The second syllable "Fall" is pronounced as /fɔːl/, with a drawn-out "aw" sound and the letter "l" at the end. Together, the word is pronounced as /mək fɔːl/. This spelling is commonly used in surnames of Scottish or Irish origin, where "Mc" means "son of" in Gaelic.
The word "McFall" is of Scottish origin and is a variant of the surname Macphail. "Mac" in Scottish Gaelic means "son of", while "phail" is a Gaelic occupational name derived from "pàil", meaning "a hammer". Thus, the original meaning of Macphail is "son of the son of the hammer" or "son of the blacksmith". Over time, Macphail has undergone variations, including McPhail or McFall.