UK surname
A Scottish surname derived from a Gaelic phrase meaning "son of the landowner or landed proprietor".
In the 1881 census there were 76 people recorded with the Macfarlan surname, ranking it #22,745 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 65, ranked #34,017, down from #22,745 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Kilcalmonell and Kilberry, Lismore and Appin and Govan Combination. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Macfarlan is 127 in 1851. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 14.5%.
1881 census count
76
Ranked #22,745
Modern count
65
2016, ranked #34,017
Peak year
1851
127 bearers
Map years
2
1851 to 1901
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Macfarlan surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Macfarlan surname density by area, 1901 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 | 127 | #14,547 |
| 1861 | historical | 96 | #21,648 |
| 1881 | historical | 76 | #22,745 |
| 1891 | historical | 71 | #27,934 |
| 1901 | historical | 101 | #22,726 |
| 1911 | historical | 22 | #31,030 |
| 1997 | modern | 53 | #32,329 |
| 1998 | modern | 59 | #32,027 |
| 1999 | modern | 59 | #32,174 |
| 2000 | modern | 63 | #31,829 |
| 2001 | modern | 65 | #31,501 |
| 2002 | modern | 61 | #32,286 |
| 2003 | modern | 60 | #32,446 |
| 2004 | modern | 56 | #33,067 |
| 2005 | modern | 50 | #33,784 |
| 2006 | modern | 49 | #34,152 |
| 2007 | modern | 54 | #34,042 |
| 2008 | modern | 55 | #34,165 |
| 2009 | modern | 55 | #34,355 |
| 2010 | modern | 55 | #34,536 |
| 2011 | modern | 55 | #34,502 |
| 2012 | modern | 57 | #34,452 |
| 2013 | modern | 59 | #34,435 |
| 2014 | modern | 67 | #33,959 |
| 2015 | modern | 67 | #33,911 |
| 2016 | modern | 65 | #34,017 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Kilcalmonell and Kilberry, Lismore and Appin, Govan Combination, Kilfinichen and Iona and Edinburgh. 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 | Kilcalmonell and Kilberry | Argyll |
| 2 | Lismore and Appin | Argyll |
| 3 | Govan Combination | Lanark |
| 4 | Kilfinichen and Iona | Argyll |
| 5 | Edinburgh | Edinburgh |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Macfarlan 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 Macfarlan, 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 Macfarlan surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Macfarlan 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, Macfarlan 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 Macfarlan is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Macfarlan, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname MACFARLAN has its origins in Scotland, where it first appeared in the early 13th century. The name is derived from the Gaelic "mac Pharlain," meaning "son of Parlan." Parlan was a personal name that may have derived from the Old Norse name Parleikr or the Gaelic name Pàrlamain.
The earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Exchequer Rolls of Scotland from the late 13th century. In 1296, Gillies MacFarlane swore allegiance to King Edward I of England, indicating the family's presence in Dunbartonshire and the surrounding areas.
The MACFARLAN clan historically held lands in the Arrochar area of Dunbartonshire, near Loch Lomond. The clan's stronghold was the island of Inveruglas, which they controlled for centuries. The clan was known for their fierce independence and their involvement in various conflicts and battles throughout Scottish history.
One notable member of the MACFARLAN clan was Andrew MacFarlane (c. 1520-1600), a Scottish historian and writer who authored a chronicle of the MacFarlane clan's history. Another prominent figure was Walter MacFarlane (1588-1647), a Scottish merchant and diarist who kept detailed records of his life and times.
In the 16th century, the MACFARLAN name also appeared in Ireland, where it was anglicized to McFarland or McFarlane. One notable bearer of this variant was Robert McFarland (1677-1742), an Irish politician and judge who served as Lord Chief Justice of Ireland.
Other notable individuals with the MACFARLAN surname include:
1. John MacFarlan (1675-1767), a Scottish minister and author. 2. Robert Macfarlan (1734-1804), a Scottish minister and author. 3. James Macfarlan (1832-1913), a Scottish-born American businessman and banker. 4. Alexander Macfarlan (1841-1917), a Scottish minister and theologian. 5. Samuel Macfarlan (1856-1935), a Scottish-born American businessman and philanthropist.
While the MACFARLAN name has spread throughout the English-speaking world, its roots lie firmly in the highlands of Scotland, where it has a rich history and a strong connection to the region's culture and traditions.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Macfarlan 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. Argyllshire leads with 12 Macfarlans recorded in 1881 and an index of 72.46x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Argyllshire | 12 | 72.46x |
| Renfrewshire | 11 | 23.87x |
| Dunbartonshire | 10 | 62.58x |
| Middlesex | 6 | 1.01x |
| Midlothian | 6 | 7.53x |
| Kent | 5 | 2.46x |
| Lancashire | 5 | 0.71x |
| Lanarkshire | 3 | 1.56x |
| Cheshire | 2 | 1.52x |
| Ross-shire | 1 | 6.12x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Dumbarton in Dunbartonshire leads with 7 Macfarlans recorded in 1881 and an index of 315.32x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Dumbarton | 7 | 315.32x |
| Kilfinichen | 6 | 1463.41x |
| Charlton Next Woolwich | 5 | 235.85x |
| Edinburgh St Cuthberts | 5 | 15.60x |
| Kilcalmonell | 5 | 1351.35x |
| West Greenock | 5 | 60.46x |
| Everton | 3 | 13.34x |
| Govan | 3 | 6.31x |
| Inverkip | 3 | 275.23x |
| Kirkintilloch | 3 | 138.25x |
| Paisley Middle Church | 3 | 111.94x |
| Kensington London | 2 | 6.05x |
| Liverpool | 2 | 4.67x |
| St Martin In Fields | 2 | 56.18x |
| Tranmere | 2 | 41.41x |
| Edinburgh St Marys | 1 | 64.52x |
| Hampstead London | 1 | 10.80x |
| Inveraray | 1 | 476.19x |
| St Marylebone London | 1 | 3.15x |
| Stornoway | 1 | 46.95x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Macfarlan 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 Macfarlan 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 Macfarlan households.
FAQ
In 1881, 76 people were recorded with the Macfarlan surname. That placed it at #22,745 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 65 in 2016. That gives Macfarlan a modern rank of #34,017.
A Scottish surname derived from a Gaelic phrase meaning "son of the landowner or landed proprietor".
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Macfarlan 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.