NameCensus.

UK surname

Macalpine

A Scottish surname meaning "son of Alpin" or "son of the Scottish ruler Alpin".

In the 1881 census there were 63 people recorded with the Macalpine surname, ranking it #24,711 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 195, ranked #19,921, up from #24,711 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Thurso West, East Cairngorms and Dalry West.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Macalpine is 227 in 1997. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 209.5%.

1881 census count

63

Ranked #24,711

Modern count

195

2016, ranked #19,921

Peak year

1997

227 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Macalpine had 63 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #24,711 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 195 in 2016, ranked #19,921.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 89 in 1891.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established but Challenged.

Macalpine surname distribution map

The map shows where the Macalpine surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.

Distribution map

Macalpine surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Macalpine over time

The 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 36 #26,838
1861 historical 61 #26,170
1881 historical 63 #24,711
1891 historical 89 #25,542
1901 historical 80 #25,251
1911 historical 31 #29,952
1997 modern 227 #16,267
1998 modern 211 #17,532
1999 modern 216 #17,364
2000 modern 203 #18,043
2001 modern 190 #18,520
2002 modern 190 #18,889
2003 modern 188 #18,810
2004 modern 202 #18,110
2005 modern 200 #18,144
2006 modern 196 #18,512
2007 modern 197 #18,669
2008 modern 208 #18,171
2009 modern 206 #18,657
2010 modern 216 #18,492
2011 modern 213 #18,502
2012 modern 188 #20,018
2013 modern 196 #19,790
2014 modern 199 #19,775
2015 modern 201 #19,494
2016 modern 195 #19,921

Geography

Back to top

Where Macalpines are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around No data. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Thurso West, East Cairngorms, Dalry West, Bishopton and Banff. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 No data No data

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Thurso West Highland
2 East Cairngorms Aberdeenshire
3 Dalry West North Ayrshire
4 Bishopton Renfrewshire
5 Banff Aberdeenshire

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Macalpine

These lists show first names that appear often with the Macalpine surname in historical and recent records.

Historical female names

No Forenames Found

Historical male names

No Forenames Found

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for Macalpine

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Macalpine, 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

UK Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce

Group

Established but Challenged

Nationally, the Macalpine surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Established but Challenged, within Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce. This does not mean every Macalpine household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many households in these neighbourhoods comprise separated or divorced single parents with dependent children. Residents are typically born in the UK, and these neighbourhoods have relatively few members of ethnic minorities. The prevalence of children, their parents and those at or above normal retirement age, suggests neighbourhood structures may be long-established. Levels of unpaid care are high, and long-term disability is more common than in the Supergroup as a whole. Use of the social rented sector is common, often in terraced houses. Levels of overcrowding are above the Supergroup average. Unemployment is high, while those in work are employed in elementary occupations such as caring, leisure and customer services. Many residents have low level qualifications. Neighbourhood concentrations of this Group are found in the South Wales Valleys, Belfast, Londonderry and the Central Lowlands of Scotland.

Wider pattern

Living in terraced or semi-detached houses, residents of these neighbourhoods typically lack high levels of education and work in elementary or routine service occupations. Unemployment is above average. Residents are predominantly born in the UK, and residents are also predominantly from ethnic minorities. Social (but not private sector) rented sector housing is common. This Supergroup is found throughout the UK’s conurbations and industrial regions but is also an integral part of smaller towns.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

Professional Periphery

Within London, Macalpine is most associated with areas classed as Professional Periphery, part of Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.

Read profile summary

Group profile

These neighbourhoods predominantly house residents aged 45+, with many aged 85+. Most employed residents work in senior roles, and relatively few work in unskilled jobs. Terraced housing is comparatively rare, but communal living is more common. More residents identify as of Indian ethnicity and more affiliate with non-Christian religions. Disability levels are below the Supergroup average.

Wider London pattern

The age distribution of these neighbourhoods is skewed towards the middle-aged and old, although few residents live alone or in communal establishments and numbers of dependent children are around average. Owner occupation is the norm, as is residence in detached or semi-detached houses. Residential densities are low and many households have spare rooms. Most residents were born in the UK and, aside from some identifying as members of Chinese or Indian ethnicities, identify as White. Mixed ethnicity households are rare. Incidence of married couples is higher than average and few individuals have never been married. A large proportion of individuals still in employment work in administrative and secretarial occupations, or in the construction industry. Few residents are students, and many households own more than one car.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Macalpine is most concentrated in decile 2 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the less healthy end of the index.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

2
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Macalpine falls in decile 6 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname near the middle of the scale.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

6
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Macalpine is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 30-40 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

6
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - Irish

This describes the area pattern most associated with Macalpine, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Macalpine

The surname MacAlpine has its origins in the Scottish Highlands during the Middle Ages. It is derived from the Gaelic "Mac Ailpein," which translates to "son of Ailpein" or "son of the Scottish warrior." The name suggests that the earliest bearers of this surname descended from a notable warrior or chieftain named Ailpein.

The name first appeared in historical records around the 13th century, with several variations in spelling, such as MacAlpin, MacAlpyn, and MacAlpine. These variations were common due to the lack of standardized spelling conventions during that time period.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Ragman Rolls of 1296, a historical document containing the names of Scottish nobles who swore allegiance to King Edward I of England. The document mentions a "Gillecrist MacAlpyn" from the region of Argyll.

In the 14th century, the MacAlpines were prominent landowners in the areas of Argyll and Lochaber, holding territories and castles in these regions. The name is also associated with the ancient Scottish kingdom of Dalriada, which spanned parts of modern-day Argyll and the neighboring islands.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have carried the surname MacAlpine. One of the earliest was Ewan MacAlpine (c. 1285-1355), a Scottish nobleman and warrior who fought alongside Robert the Bruce during the Wars of Scottish Independence.

Another prominent figure was Sir Duncan MacAlpine (c. 1480-1547), a Scottish nobleman and military commander who served under King James IV and King James V of Scotland. He played a significant role in the Battle of Flodden in 1513.

In the 17th century, John MacAlpine (1610-1688) was a Scottish clergyman and scholar who served as the minister of Arrochar and Luss parishes. He was known for his works on Scottish history and genealogy.

Moving into the 18th century, James MacAlpine (1720-1795) was a Scottish merchant and philanthropist who made significant contributions to the development of the city of Glasgow.

In more recent times, Sir Robert MacAlpine (1868-1934) was a prominent Scottish civil engineer and founder of the construction company Sir Robert McAlpine Ltd. His company was responsible for numerous notable projects, including the construction of the Tyne Bridge in Newcastle upon Tyne.

These examples showcase the diverse backgrounds and achievements of individuals bearing the surname MacAlpine throughout history, reflecting the rich heritage and legacy associated with this Scottish name.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

Back to top

Macalpine families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Macalpine surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.

Top counties

Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Midlothian leads with 17 Macalpines recorded in 1881 and an index of 24.09x.

County Total Index
Midlothian 17 24.09x
Renfrewshire 10 24.50x
Lanarkshire 9 5.28x
Cheshire 7 6.02x
Lancashire 5 0.80x
Buteshire 3 94.04x
Essex 1 0.96x
Middlesex 1 0.19x
Sussex 1 1.13x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Cockpen in Midlothian leads with 12 Macalpines recorded in 1881 and an index of 1463.41x.

Place Total Index
Cockpen 12 1463.41x
Birkenhead 6 64.72x
Govan 6 14.24x
Paisley Low Church 5 387.60x
Liberton 4 366.97x
Abbey 3 48.15x
Accrington 3 52.82x
Rothesay 3 193.55x
Cathcart 2 90.50x
Liverpool 2 5.27x
Barony 1 2.32x
Borthwick 1 312.50x
East Horndon 1 1111.11x
Glasgow 1 3.31x
Hove 1 25.64x
Maryhill 1 30.03x
St George Bloomsbury 1 33.11x
Tranmere 1 23.42x

Top female names

These are the female first names most often recorded with the Macalpine surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
Ellen 2
Mary 2
Eliza 1
Elspeth 1
Hellena 1
Isabel 1
Lucy 1
Wilhelmena 1

Top male names

These are the male first names most often recorded with the Macalpine surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
George 3
Hugh 1
Robert 1

Top occupations

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 Macalpine households.

FAQ

Macalpine surname: questions and answers

How common was the Macalpine surname in 1881?

In 1881, 63 people were recorded with the Macalpine surname. That placed it at #24,711 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Macalpine surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 195 in 2016. That gives Macalpine a modern rank of #19,921.

What does the Macalpine surname mean?

A Scottish surname meaning "son of Alpin" or "son of the Scottish ruler Alpin".

What does the Macalpine map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Macalpine bearers relative to the surrounding population.

What records is this surname page based on?

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.