James Macaulay may refer to:

• James Macaulay (Canadian physician) (died 1822)
• James Macaulay (editor) (1817–1902), 19th century Scottish physician, journalist and anti-vivisectionist
• James Macaulay (preacher), 17th century Scottish preacher and prisoner on the Bass Rock
• James Buchanan Macaulay (1793–1859), lawyer and judge in colonial Canada
• James Macaulay (footballer) (1922–2000), Scottish footballer
• Jim Macaulay, musician

• James McAuley (1917–1976), academic and poet
• Jimmy McAuley (1901–?), Irish footballer
• James Macauley (1889–1945), Irish footballer
• James McAulay (1860–1943), Scottish footballer