NameCensus.

UK surname

Macavoy

Irish surname derived from the Gaelic 'Mac Samhuidh', meaning son of the peaceful one.

In the 1881 census there were 53 people recorded with the Macavoy surname, ranking it #26,134 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 115, ranked #28,348, down from #26,134 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Piersland, Boston and East Northamptonshire.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Macavoy is 115 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 117.0%.

1881 census count

53

Ranked #26,134

Modern count

115

2016, ranked #28,348

Peak year

2016

115 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Macavoy had 53 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #26,134 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 115 in 2016, ranked #28,348.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 53 in 1881.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Spacious Rural Living.

Macavoy surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Macavoy surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Macavoy 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 21 #29,550
1861 historical 28 #30,405
1881 historical 53 #26,134
1891 historical 43 #30,933
1901 historical 41 #29,602
1911 historical 51 #27,708
1997 modern 104 #26,351
1998 modern 104 #26,981
1999 modern 105 #27,035
2000 modern 96 #28,299
2001 modern 92 #28,528
2002 modern 96 #28,534
2003 modern 92 #28,974
2004 modern 97 #28,455
2005 modern 95 #28,817
2006 modern 100 #28,283
2007 modern 100 #28,669
2008 modern 101 #28,825
2009 modern 101 #29,445
2010 modern 101 #30,078
2011 modern 102 #29,759
2012 modern 98 #30,612
2013 modern 105 #29,916
2014 modern 107 #29,827
2015 modern 108 #29,512
2016 modern 115 #28,348

Geography

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Where Macavoys 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 Piersland, Boston, East Northamptonshire, Enfield and Knowsley. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Some modern areas include a three-digit suffix, such as Leeds 110. The suffix is a small-area code, so it stays in the table while the prose uses the plain place name.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 No data No data

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Piersland East Ayrshire
2 Boston 007 Boston
3 East Northamptonshire 007 East Northamptonshire
4 Enfield 006 Enfield
5 Knowsley 015 Knowsley

Forenames

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First names often paired with Macavoy

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

Historical female names

No Forenames Found

Historical male names

No Forenames Found

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Macavoy

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

Retired Professionals

Group

Spacious Rural Living

Nationally, the Macavoy surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Spacious Rural Living, within Retired Professionals. This does not mean every Macavoy household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

These predominantly ageing households typically have no resident dependent children. Most are owner-occupiers and live in detached houses in low density residential developments (although renting is more common than in the rest of the Supergroup). White ethnicity predominates. Residents are typically beyond retirement age but those still in work have managerial, professional or skilled trade occupations. White ethnicity and Christian religious affiliation predominate. Neighbourhoods are located throughout rural UK.

Wider pattern

Typically married but no longer with resident dependent children, these well-educated households either remain working in their managerial, professional, administrative or other skilled occupations, or are retired from them – the modal individual age is beyond normal retirement age. Underoccupied detached and semi-detached properties predominate, and unpaid care is more prevalent than reported disability. The prevalence of this Supergroup outside most urban conurbations indicates that rural lifestyles prevail, typically sustained by using two or more cars per household.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

London Fringe

Within London, Macavoy is most associated with areas classed as London Fringe, 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

Predominantly located in neighbourhoods on the outskirts of Greater London, residents of these neighbourhoods typically have their highest qualifications below degree (Level 4) level, with those still in work engaged in skilled trades and occupations in distribution, hotels and restaurants. There is low ethnic diversity in these neighbourhoods and high levels of Christian religious affiliation. Detached or terraced houses predominate, often with spare rooms.

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

Macavoy is most concentrated in decile 10 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier 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.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Macavoy 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 Macavoy is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 50-60 mbit/s.

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

8
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - Irish

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

Meaning and origin of Macavoy

The surname MACAVOY has its origins in Ireland, emerging in the late medieval period. It is derived from the Gaelic Mac Aidhmhillid, meaning "son of Aidhmhillid" or "son of the fire attendant." The name is closely related to the Irish surname MacEvoy, with minor spelling variations.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name MACAVOY can be found in the Annals of Ulster, a chronicle of medieval Irish history. The annals mention a certain Maghnus MacAidhmhillid, who was involved in a conflict in the year 1333. This suggests that the name was already established in the 14th century.

In the 16th century, the MACAVOY surname was particularly prevalent in County Laois, located in the province of Leinster. The name is also associated with the town of Monasterevan in County Kildare, which was once known as Mainistir Aidhmhillid, meaning "Monastery of Aidhmhillid."

Among the notable individuals bearing the surname MACAVOY throughout history is Fergus MACAVOY, a renowned Irish poet who lived in the 17th century. His works, written in the Gaelic language, were widely celebrated and helped preserve the cultural heritage of Ireland during a turbulent period.

Another figure of note is Patrick MACAVOY (1717-1795), a Catholic priest who played a significant role in the establishment of the Catholic Church in Nova Scotia, Canada. He was instrumental in securing religious freedom for Catholics in the region and served as the first vicar-general of the Diocese of Quebec.

In the 19th century, Michael MACAVOY (1822-1896) was a prominent Irish-American entrepreneur and philanthropist. He made his fortune in the shipping industry and was a notable benefactor, contributing to the construction of several churches and educational institutions in New York City.

The name MACAVOY also appears in the historical records of Scotland, where it is believed to have been introduced by Irish settlers. One such individual was John MACAVOY (1845-1923), a Scottish engineer and inventor who made significant contributions to the development of early telecommunications technology.

Lastly, the surname MACAVOY is associated with Mary MACAVOY (1902-1984), an Irish-American labor activist and leader of the International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union. She played a pivotal role in advocating for better working conditions and fair wages for women in the garment industry during the mid-20th century.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Macavoy families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Macavoy 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. Lancashire leads with 28 Macavoys recorded in 1881 and an index of 5.90x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 28 5.90x
Devon 5 6.01x
Angus 3 8.10x
Durham 2 1.68x
Wigtownshire 2 37.66x
Royal Navy 1 20.96x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Aughton in Lancashire leads with 24 Macavoys recorded in 1881 and an index of 5106.38x.

Place Total Index
Aughton 24 5106.38x
Stoke Damerel 5 85.76x
Ardwick 2 46.73x
Dundee 2 14.46x
Stranraer 2 408.16x
Witton Gilbert 2 425.53x
Bold 1 833.33x
Liff Benvie 1 17.79x
Rainford 1 196.08x
Royal Navy 1 24.57x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Elizabeth 5
Margaret 4
Ellen 2
Mary 2
Anne 1
Harriet 1
Nancy 1
Sarah 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
James 4
George 3
William 3
John 2
Thomas 2
Benjamin 1
Francis 1
Henry 1
Richard 1
Wm. 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 Macavoy households.

FAQ

Macavoy surname: questions and answers

How common was the Macavoy surname in 1881?

In 1881, 53 people were recorded with the Macavoy surname. That placed it at #26,134 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Macavoy surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 115 in 2016. That gives Macavoy a modern rank of #28,348.

What does the Macavoy surname mean?

Irish surname derived from the Gaelic 'Mac Samhuidh', meaning son of the peaceful one.

What does the Macavoy map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Macavoy 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.