NameCensus.

UK surname

Macdonnell

A Scottish surname derived from the Gaelic "Macdhomnuill" meaning son of Donald.

In the 1881 census there were 127 people recorded with the Macdonnell surname, ranking it #17,166 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 171, ranked #21,726, down from #17,166 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, St Pancras and St Marylebone. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Islington, North Somerset and Hastings.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Macdonnell is 230 in 1997. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 34.6%.

1881 census count

127

Ranked #17,166

Modern count

171

2016, ranked #21,726

Peak year

1997

230 bearers

Map years

7

1881 to 2016

Key insights

  • Macdonnell had 127 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #17,166 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 171 in 2016, ranked #21,726.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 134 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Macdonnell surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Macdonnell surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Macdonnell 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 49 #24,448
1861 historical 68 #25,196
1881 historical 127 #17,166
1891 historical 111 #22,421
1901 historical 118 #20,721
1911 historical 134 #19,131
1997 modern 230 #16,109
1998 modern 217 #17,207
1999 modern 183 #19,248
2000 modern 191 #18,752
2001 modern 185 #18,840
2002 modern 200 #18,294
2003 modern 170 #20,023
2004 modern 175 #19,805
2005 modern 165 #20,468
2006 modern 167 #20,447
2007 modern 168 #20,634
2008 modern 167 #20,901
2009 modern 174 #20,782
2010 modern 176 #21,101
2011 modern 180 #20,649
2012 modern 161 #22,157
2013 modern 167 #21,984
2014 modern 167 #22,180
2015 modern 166 #22,159
2016 modern 171 #21,726

Geography

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Where Macdonnells are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, St Pancras, St Marylebone and Leigh. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Islington, North Somerset, Hastings, Westminster and Bromley. 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 London parishes London 1
2 London parishes London 3
3 St Pancras London (North Districts)
4 St Marylebone London (North Districts)
5 Leigh Lancashire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Islington 020 Islington
2 North Somerset 006 North Somerset
3 Hastings 010 Hastings
4 Westminster 014 Westminster
5 Bromley 007 Bromley

Forenames

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First names often paired with Macdonnell

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Macdonnell

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

Multicultural and Educated Urbanites

Group

Diverse Educated Urban Singles

Nationally, the Macdonnell surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Diverse Educated Urban Singles, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Macdonnell household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

This Group includes many never-married individuals not living with dependent children. Many were born in EU countries and are now aged between 25-44. This Group is characterised by its ethnic group diversity, although those identifying as Asian are not well represented. Affiliation with the Christian religion amongst residents is low. Reported disability rates are low. Neighbourhoods include some central locations in London and other major cities. Private renting is the norm, and there is some overcrowding. Many individuals are educated to degree level, and full-time employment is common, particularly in managerial and professional occupations.

Wider pattern

Established populations comprising ethnic minorities together with persons born outside the UK predominate in this Supergroup. Residents present diverse personal characteristics and circumstances: while generally well-educated and practising skilled occupations, some residents live in overcrowded rental sector housing. English may not be the main language used by people in this Group. Although the typical adult resident is middle aged, single person households are common and marriage rates are low by national standards. This Supergroup predominates in Inner London, with smaller enclaves in many other densely populated metropolitan areas.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Macdonnell is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. 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

Mainly located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Macdonnell 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

Macdonnell 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 Macdonnell 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 Macdonnell, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Macdonnell

The surname MACDONNELL is of Scottish origin, originating from the Gaelic "Mac Dhòmhnuill" meaning "son of Donald". It is one of the most prominent Scottish clan names, with roots dating back to the 13th century.

The MACDONNELL clan traces its ancestry to Somhairle (Somerled), a powerful 12th-century Scottish warlord who ruled over parts of the Hebrides and mainland Argyll. The name is particularly associated with the Scottish Highlands and Islands, particularly the Outer Hebrides.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name is in the 14th century, when John of Islay, Lord of the Isles, granted lands to Reginald MACDONNELL, the progenitor of the Antrim branch of the clan. This branch later became prominent in County Antrim, Ireland.

In the 16th century, the MACDONNELL clan was involved in the tumultuous politics of the Scottish Highlands. Angus MACDONNELL (c.1550-1590), known as Aonghas Óg, was a renowned warrior and leader of the clan during this period.

Another notable figure was Randal MACDONNELL (1609-1683), 1st Marquess of Antrim, a Scottish aristocrat and military leader who fought for the Royalist cause during the English Civil War. He was instrumental in bringing Irish troops to support King Charles I.

In the 18th century, Alasdair MACDONNELL (1725-1805), known as the "Gentle Laddies", was a prominent Jacobite who fought for the Stuart cause in the Jacobite Rising of 1745.

The MACDONNELL name has also been associated with several prominent figures in the arts and literature. One example is Randal MACDONNELL (1828-1893), an Irish poet and playwright who wrote under the pen name "Earl of Antrim".

Throughout history, variations in spelling have included MACDONALD, MCDONALD, and MCDANIEL, reflecting the various dialects and regions where the name has been found.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Macdonnell families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Macdonnell 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 19 Macdonnells recorded in 1881 and an index of 1.93x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 19 1.93x
Middlesex 16 1.93x
Surrey 10 2.48x
Yorkshire 10 1.22x
Carmarthenshire 5 14.31x
Derbyshire 4 3.08x
Kent 4 1.41x
East Lothian 3 27.32x
Hampshire 3 1.77x
Devon 2 1.16x
Staffordshire 2 0.71x
Dorset 1 1.84x
Essex 1 0.61x
Gloucestershire 1 0.62x
Inverness-shire 1 4.04x
Oxfordshire 1 1.95x
Somerset 1 0.75x
Warwickshire 1 0.48x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. West Derby in Lancashire leads with 7 Macdonnells recorded in 1881 and an index of 24.32x.

Place Total Index
West Derby 7 24.32x
Carshalton 6 387.10x
Islington London 6 7.47x
Rotherham 6 129.59x
Carmarthen St Peter 5 167.22x
Castleton 5 50.86x
Kensington London 5 10.85x
Clapham 4 38.61x
Moss Side 3 57.92x
Stenton 3 1764.71x
Chelsea London 2 8.01x
Church Gresley 2 96.62x
Great Bolton 2 15.35x
Leeds 2 4.31x
Litchurch 2 38.31x
Maidstone 2 23.72x
Towerof London London 2 769.23x
Wolverhampton 2 9.29x
Aldershot 1 17.57x
Braintree 1 68.03x
Bristol St James In 1 41.84x
Charlbury 1 175.44x
Darenth 1 227.27x
Deptford St Paul 1 4.58x
Devonport 1 50.51x
Ecclesall Bierlow 1 5.98x
Kirkdale 1 6.04x
Middlesbrough 1 9.35x
Newton Abbot St Mary 1 68.97x
Portland 1 34.13x
Portsea 1 3.00x
Portsmouth 1 25.58x
Ratcliffe London 1 21.83x
Rugby 1 35.34x
Toxteth Park 1 3.00x
Urquhart Glenmoriston 1 142.86x
Weston Super Mare 1 29.67x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 8
Catherine 3
Eliza 3
Ann 2
Frances 2
Louisa 2
Martha 2
(Mrs) 1
Anne 1
Beller 1
Constance 1
Edith 1
Ellen 1
Emily 1
Emma 1
Emmalina 1
Esther 1
Florence 1
Isabelle 1
Jessie 1
Julia 1
Lucy 1
Maud 1
Sarah 1
Teresa 1
Winifred 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 4
Charles 3
John 3
Patrick 3
Frederick 2
Hugh 2
Joseph 2
Michael 2
Thomas 2
Allister 1
Clement 1
Diana 1
Donald 1
Edgar 1
Em... 1
Henry 1
I.C. 1
James 1
Leo. 1
Mark 1
Pat 1
Randal 1
Robert 1
Samuel 1
Wilfred 1
Wm. 1

FAQ

Macdonnell surname: questions and answers

How common was the Macdonnell surname in 1881?

In 1881, 127 people were recorded with the Macdonnell surname. That placed it at #17,166 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Macdonnell surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 171 in 2016. That gives Macdonnell a modern rank of #21,726.

What does the Macdonnell surname mean?

A Scottish surname derived from the Gaelic "Macdhomnuill" meaning son of Donald.

What does the Macdonnell map show?

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