UK surname
A Scottish surname derived from a place name meaning "son of Dougal".
In the 1881 census there were 83 people recorded with the Macdougal surname, ranking it #21,808 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 80, ranked #33,030, down from #21,808 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to North Bute and Rothesay, Govan Combination and Arisaig and Moidart. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Macdougal is 138 in 1851. Compared with 1881, the name has stayed broadly stable by 3.6%.
1881 census count
83
Ranked #21,808
Modern count
80
2016, ranked #33,030
Peak year
1851
138 bearers
Map years
2
1851 to 1861
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Macdougal surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Macdougal surname density by area, 1861 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 | 138 | #13,745 |
| 1861 | historical | 109 | #19,693 |
| 1881 | historical | 83 | #21,808 |
| 1891 | historical | 69 | #28,188 |
| 1901 | historical | 78 | #25,500 |
| 1911 | historical | 25 | #30,654 |
| 1997 | modern | 93 | #27,932 |
| 1998 | modern | 90 | #28,920 |
| 1999 | modern | 88 | #29,287 |
| 2000 | modern | 80 | #30,139 |
| 2001 | modern | 79 | #30,065 |
| 2002 | modern | 77 | #30,709 |
| 2003 | modern | 75 | #30,994 |
| 2004 | modern | 76 | #31,125 |
| 2005 | modern | 77 | #31,156 |
| 2006 | modern | 76 | #31,633 |
| 2007 | modern | 74 | #32,190 |
| 2008 | modern | 78 | #32,081 |
| 2009 | modern | 81 | #32,172 |
| 2010 | modern | 82 | #32,492 |
| 2011 | modern | 73 | #33,230 |
| 2012 | modern | 70 | #33,638 |
| 2013 | modern | 79 | #33,142 |
| 2014 | modern | 80 | #33,133 |
| 2015 | modern | 82 | #32,911 |
| 2016 | modern | 80 | #33,030 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around North Bute and Rothesay, Govan Combination, Arisaig and Moidart, Edinburgh and Oxnam. 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 | North Bute and Rothesay | Bute |
| 2 | Govan Combination | Lanark |
| 3 | Arisaig and Moidart | Inverness |
| 4 | Edinburgh | Edinburgh |
| 5 | Oxnam | Roxburgh |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Macdougal 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 Macdougal, 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 Macdougal surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Macdougal 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, Macdougal 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 Macdougal is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Macdougal, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname MacDougal is of Scottish origin and dates back to the 12th century. It is derived from the Gaelic name MacDougaill, which means "son of Dougall". The name Dougall itself is a variant of the name Dugald or Dougal, which comes from the Gaelic name Dúngal, meaning "brown stranger" or "brown valor".
The MacDougals were a prominent family in the Scottish Highlands, particularly in the region of Argyll and Lorne. They were a branch of the Clan MacDonald and played a significant role in the feuds and battles that shaped the history of the Scottish clans.
One of the earliest recorded mentions of the name MacDougal can be found in the Ragman Rolls of 1296, which were a series of agreements made by Scottish nobles and gentry to recognize Edward I of England as their overlord. Several individuals with the surname MacDougal are listed in these rolls.
In the 14th century, John MacDougal, Lord of Lorne, was a powerful figure in Scottish politics. He was involved in the Wars of Scottish Independence and fought alongside Robert the Bruce. Another notable member of the MacDougal clan was Dougal MacDougall, who was the head of the clan in the late 16th century and played a role in the Jacobite risings.
The MacDougals were also associated with several place names in Scotland, such as Dunollie Castle in Argyll, which was the ancient seat of the MacDougal chiefs. The name "Dunollie" is derived from the Gaelic "Dun Ollaigh", meaning "fort of the principal family".
In the 17th century, Sir Duncan MacDougal of Dunollie (1601-1669) was a prominent figure who supported the Royalist cause during the English Civil War. He was later knighted by King Charles II in recognition of his loyalty.
Other notable individuals with the surname MacDougal include:
1. James MacDougal (1800-1871), a Scottish-American businessman and politician who served as a member of the United States House of Representatives. 2. William MacDougal (1642-1696), a Scottish-American printer and publisher who established the first printing press in New York City. 3. Alexander MacDougal (1732-1786), a Scottish-American soldier who served as a Brigadier General in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War. 4. Ranald MacDougall (1915-1973), a Scottish-American screenwriter and novelist best known for his work on the film "Macao". 5. Katharine MacDougal (1949-present), an American actress and singer who has appeared in various films and television shows.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Macdougal 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. Inverness-shire leads with 21 Macdougals recorded in 1881 and an index of 101.55x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Inverness-shire | 21 | 101.55x |
| Lanarkshire | 10 | 4.47x |
| Midlothian | 7 | 7.55x |
| Perthshire | 7 | 22.52x |
| Ayrshire | 3 | 5.79x |
| Middlesex | 3 | 0.43x |
| Northumberland | 3 | 2.91x |
| Surrey | 3 | 0.89x |
| Berkshire | 2 | 3.85x |
| Dumfriesshire | 2 | 13.08x |
| Yorkshire | 2 | 0.29x |
| Cumberland | 1 | 1.68x |
| Devon | 1 | 0.69x |
| East Lothian | 1 | 10.91x |
| Flintshire | 1 | 5.37x |
| Ross-shire | 1 | 5.26x |
| Roxburghshire | 1 | 7.97x |
| Stirlingshire | 1 | 3.92x |
| West Lothian | 1 | 9.59x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Govan in Lanarkshire leads with 7 Macdougals recorded in 1881 and an index of 12.64x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Govan | 7 | 12.64x |
| South Uist | 7 | 486.11x |
| Aberdalgie | 6 | 8571.43x |
| Inverness | 5 | 96.15x |
| Portree | 5 | 649.35x |
| North Uist | 4 | 493.83x |
| Barony | 3 | 5.29x |
| Guyzance | 3 | 7500.00x |
| Kilmarnock | 3 | 48.62x |
| South Leith | 3 | 28.74x |
| Batley | 2 | 30.67x |
| East West Hanney | 2 | 1000.00x |
| Glencorse | 2 | 555.56x |
| Islington London | 2 | 2.98x |
| Kirkpatrick Fleming | 2 | 571.43x |
| Lambeth | 2 | 3.31x |
| Edinburgh St Cuthberts | 1 | 2.68x |
| Edinburgh St Georges | 1 | 52.08x |
| Fulham London | 1 | 9.96x |
| Hawarden Pentrobin | 1 | 333.33x |
| Kelso | 1 | 80.00x |
| Leatherhead | 1 | 119.05x |
| Little Dunkeld | 1 | 188.68x |
| Oldhamstocks | 1 | 769.23x |
| Rosskeen | 1 | 112.36x |
| St Cuthbert Within | 1 | 144.93x |
| Stirling | 1 | 31.06x |
| Tormoham | 1 | 16.39x |
| Whitburn | 1 | 66.23x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Macdougal surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Macdougal 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 Macdougal households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Annuitant | 2 |
| Assistant MB Edin Univ | 1 |
| Colonel Retired | 1 |
| Grocer | 1 |
| Nurse | 1 |
| Scholar | 1 |
| Vicar Of Hanney | 1 |
| Washerwoman | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 83 people were recorded with the Macdougal surname. That placed it at #21,808 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 80 in 2016. That gives Macdougal a modern rank of #33,030.
A Scottish surname derived from a place name meaning "son of Dougal".
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Macdougal 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.