UK surname
A Scottish surname derived from a location name referring to someone from Buchanan, Scotland.
In the 1881 census there were 421 people recorded with the Buchannan surname, ranking it #7,681 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 37, ranked #35,582, down from #7,681 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Bothwell, Govan Combination and Edinburgh. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Buchannan is 640 in 1851. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 91.2%.
1881 census count
421
Ranked #7,681
Modern count
37
2016, ranked #35,582
Peak year
1851
640 bearers
Map years
5
1851 to 1901
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Buchannan surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Buchannan surname density by area, 1881 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.
| Year | Period | Count | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1851 | historical | 640 | #4,055 |
| 1861 | historical | 581 | #4,540 |
| 1881 | historical | 421 | #7,681 |
| 1891 | historical | 527 | #7,112 |
| 1901 | historical | 425 | #9,081 |
| 1911 | historical | 45 | #28,332 |
| 1997 | modern | 29 | #34,795 |
| 1998 | modern | 31 | #34,740 |
| 1999 | modern | 27 | #35,224 |
| 2000 | modern | 25 | #35,382 |
| 2001 | modern | 23 | #35,451 |
| 2002 | modern | 31 | #34,866 |
| 2003 | modern | 29 | #35,129 |
| 2004 | modern | 22 | #35,878 |
| 2005 | modern | 23 | #35,924 |
| 2006 | modern | 25 | #35,903 |
| 2007 | modern | 25 | #36,006 |
| 2008 | modern | 27 | #35,956 |
| 2009 | modern | 25 | #36,191 |
| 2010 | modern | 30 | #35,967 |
| 2011 | modern | 29 | #36,004 |
| 2012 | modern | 37 | #35,531 |
| 2013 | modern | 40 | #35,439 |
| 2014 | modern | 38 | #35,547 |
| 2015 | modern | 38 | #35,526 |
| 2016 | modern | 37 | #35,582 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Bothwell, Govan Combination, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Uig. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bothwell | Lanark |
| 2 | Govan Combination | Lanark |
| 3 | Edinburgh | Edinburgh |
| 4 | Glasgow | Lanark |
| 5 | Uig | Ross And Cromarty |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Buchannan surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Buchannan, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.
These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.
The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.
UK neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Buchannan surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Buchannan household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Buchannan is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Buchannan is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Buchannan, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Buchanan has its origins in Scotland, tracing back to the medieval era. It is derived from the Gaelic words "buth" meaning "house" and "chanain" meaning "canon" or "church servant." The name was likely adopted by those who lived near or worked at a church or monastery.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Buchanan can be found in the Ragman Rolls of 1296, a collection of instruments of homage to Edward I of England. The document includes the name "Gillespic de Buchcan," indicating the presence of the surname in Scotland during the late 13th century.
The Buchanan clan was historically centered in the area around Loch Lomond and the Trossachs region of Scotland. The clan's ancestral lands were granted to them by the Earl of Lennox in the 13th century. The name is closely associated with these territories, particularly the area known as Buchanan Parish.
In the 16th century, George Buchanan (1506-1582) was a prominent Scottish humanist scholar, historian, and poet. He served as a tutor to King James VI of Scotland and was known for his influential works, including the historical work "Rerum Scoticarum Historia" (History of Scotland).
Another notable figure bearing the Buchanan name was Claudius Buchanan (1766-1815), a Scottish theologian and missionary. He played a significant role in the establishment of the British and Foreign Bible Society and published works on his travels in India and the Middle East.
Robert Buchanan (1841-1901) was a Scottish poet, novelist, and dramatist known for his works such as "The Book of Orm" and "The Wandering Jew." He was also active in literary circles and associated with the Pre-Raphaelite movement.
In the realm of science, Sir George Buchanan (1904-1989) was a Scottish bacteriologist who made significant contributions to the understanding of bacterial taxonomy and the prevention of infectious diseases.
The Buchanan surname has also been associated with various place names in Scotland, such as Buchanan Castle, Buchanan Smithy, and Buchanan Street in Glasgow, further solidifying its Scottish heritage.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Buchannan surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Lanarkshire leads with 96 Buchannans recorded in 1881 and an index of 7.21x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Lanarkshire | 96 | 7.21x |
| Midlothian | 42 | 7.62x |
| Stirlingshire | 33 | 21.73x |
| Dumfriesshire | 27 | 29.69x |
| Inverness-shire | 23 | 18.71x |
| Lancashire | 20 | 0.41x |
| Fife | 16 | 6.57x |
| Durham | 15 | 1.22x |
| Kirkcudbrightshire | 15 | 25.17x |
| Renfrewshire | 15 | 4.70x |
| Ross-shire | 13 | 11.50x |
| Perthshire | 12 | 6.49x |
| Cheshire | 11 | 1.21x |
| Ayrshire | 10 | 3.25x |
| Cumberland | 10 | 2.82x |
| Angus | 8 | 2.10x |
| East Lothian | 8 | 14.67x |
| Surrey | 8 | 0.40x |
| Argyllshire | 7 | 6.11x |
| Yorkshire | 6 | 0.15x |
| Middlesex | 5 | 0.12x |
| Hampshire | 3 | 0.36x |
| Royal Navy | 3 | 6.12x |
| Cornwall | 2 | 0.43x |
| Kent | 2 | 0.14x |
| Morayshire | 2 | 3.13x |
| West Lothian | 2 | 3.23x |
| Essex | 1 | 0.12x |
| Glamorgan | 1 | 0.14x |
| Gloucestershire | 1 | 0.12x |
| Hertfordshire | 1 | 0.35x |
| Kinross-shire | 1 | 9.61x |
| Peeblesshire | 1 | 5.17x |
| Roxburghshire | 1 | 1.34x |
| Sussex | 1 | 0.14x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Govan in Lanarkshire leads with 33 Buchannans recorded in 1881 and an index of 10.02x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Govan | 33 | 10.02x |
| Bothwell | 22 | 60.94x |
| Glasgow | 17 | 7.19x |
| Sleat | 17 | 580.20x |
| Old Monkland | 15 | 28.39x |
| Edinburgh Old | 12 | 358.21x |
| Uig | 12 | 234.38x |
| Urr | 12 | 154.84x |
| Dryfesdale | 11 | 262.53x |
| Glencairn | 11 | 450.82x |
| Stirling | 11 | 57.47x |
| Buchanan | 10 | 1282.05x |
| Kirkcaldy | 10 | 82.71x |
| Slamannan | 9 | 108.30x |
| Eaglesham | 8 | 410.26x |
| Lasswade | 8 | 63.44x |
| Auchterarder | 7 | 135.66x |
| Birkenhead | 7 | 9.66x |
| Liverpool | 7 | 2.36x |
| Barony | 6 | 1.78x |
| Camberwell | 6 | 2.28x |
| Edinburgh St Cuthberts | 6 | 2.70x |
| North Leith | 6 | 23.51x |
| Aspatria | 5 | 146.63x |
| Dundee | 5 | 3.51x |
| Edinburgh Canongate | 5 | 35.64x |
| Guisbrough | 5 | 56.12x |
| Inverness | 5 | 16.17x |
| Lismore Appin | 5 | 131.23x |
| Manchester | 5 | 2.28x |
| Tranent | 5 | 67.84x |
| Gosforth | 4 | 231.21x |
| Hedleyhope | 4 | 188.68x |
| Spotland | 4 | 7.37x |
| West Rainton | 4 | 105.54x |
| Anwoth | 3 | 291.26x |
| Ayr | 3 | 20.63x |
| Dundonald | 3 | 26.41x |
| Dunfermline | 3 | 8.01x |
| Islington London | 3 | 0.75x |
| Logie Pert | 3 | 212.77x |
| Prestonpans | 3 | 81.97x |
| Westoe | 3 | 4.32x |
| Auchtertool | 2 | 198.02x |
| Auckinleck | 2 | 20.96x |
| Colinton | 2 | 32.52x |
| East Greenock | 2 | 6.64x |
| Edinburgh St Georges | 2 | 17.48x |
| Gargunnock | 2 | 202.02x |
| Inverkip | 2 | 26.60x |
| Lochmaben | 2 | 50.25x |
| Perth East Church | 2 | 11.48x |
| Perth West Church | 2 | 22.81x |
| Portsea | 2 | 1.21x |
| Poulton Cum Seacombe | 2 | 19.14x |
| Applegarth | 1 | 72.46x |
| Ashford | 1 | 7.31x |
| Boness | 1 | 11.70x |
| Clifton | 1 | 2.45x |
| Dalserf | 1 | 7.53x |
| Edinburgh St Stephens | 1 | 9.21x |
| Elgin | 1 | 8.04x |
| Elvet | 1 | 11.31x |
| Falkirk | 1 | 2.81x |
| Great Neston | 1 | 33.33x |
| Kirkmichael | 1 | 83.33x |
| Lambeth | 1 | 0.28x |
| Lanark | 1 | 9.34x |
| Oldham | 1 | 0.63x |
| Osmotherley | 1 | 149.25x |
| Paddington London | 1 | 0.66x |
| Paisley High Church | 1 | 3.94x |
| Portmoak | 1 | 67.57x |
| Sanquhar | 1 | 31.25x |
| Streatham | 1 | 3.27x |
| Swansea | 1 | 125.00x |
| Toxteth Park | 1 | 0.60x |
| Whitburn | 1 | 11.16x |
| Whitehaven | 1 | 5.29x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Buchannan surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
| Name | Count |
|---|---|
| Margaret | 4 |
| Elizabeth | 3 |
| Jane | 3 |
| Sarah | 3 |
| Ann | 2 |
| Annie | 2 |
| Eliza | 2 |
| Isabella | 2 |
| Mary | 2 |
| Adaline | 1 |
| Agnes | 1 |
| Averil | 1 |
| Bridget | 1 |
| Catherine | 1 |
| Eleanor | 1 |
| Ellen | 1 |
| Emily | 1 |
| Ethel | 1 |
| Fanny | 1 |
| Florence | 1 |
| Hannah | 1 |
| Janet | 1 |
| Jennie | 1 |
| Julia | 1 |
| Katherine | 1 |
| M. | 1 |
| Margarett | 1 |
| Margret | 1 |
| Marion | 1 |
| Martha | 1 |
| May | 1 |
| Rachel | 1 |
| Vacht | 1 |
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Buchannan surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Buchannan households.
FAQ
In 1881, 421 people were recorded with the Buchannan surname. That placed it at #7,681 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 37 in 2016. That gives Buchannan a modern rank of #35,582.
A Scottish surname derived from a location name referring to someone from Buchanan, Scotland.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Buchannan bearers relative to the surrounding population.
The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.