UK surname
A Scottish surname derived from the Gaelic personal name "Gille Bhrìghde," meaning "servant of St. Brigit."
In the 1881 census there were 24 people recorded with the Macgilvray surname, ranking it #30,215 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 44, ranked #35,224, down from #30,215 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Kirknewton, Govan Combination and Kilfinichen and Iona. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Macgilvray is 105 in 1851. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 83.3%.
1881 census count
24
Ranked #30,215
Modern count
44
2016, ranked #35,224
Peak year
1851
105 bearers
Map years
1
1851 to 1851
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Macgilvray surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Macgilvray surname density by area, 1851 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 | 105 | #16,618 |
| 1861 | historical | 31 | #30,058 |
| 1881 | historical | 24 | #30,215 |
| 1891 | historical | 35 | #31,540 |
| 1901 | historical | 33 | #30,384 |
| 1911 | historical | 1 | #34,332 |
| 1997 | modern | 35 | #34,174 |
| 1998 | modern | 41 | #33,747 |
| 1999 | modern | 43 | #33,683 |
| 2000 | modern | 44 | #33,602 |
| 2001 | modern | 44 | #33,490 |
| 2002 | modern | 42 | #33,951 |
| 2003 | modern | 47 | #33,619 |
| 2004 | modern | 41 | #34,306 |
| 2005 | modern | 46 | #34,081 |
| 2006 | modern | 43 | #34,647 |
| 2007 | modern | 41 | #34,974 |
| 2008 | modern | 41 | #35,067 |
| 2009 | modern | 42 | #35,148 |
| 2010 | modern | 42 | #35,294 |
| 2011 | modern | 39 | #35,444 |
| 2012 | modern | 39 | #35,415 |
| 2013 | modern | 42 | #35,325 |
| 2014 | modern | 39 | #35,493 |
| 2015 | modern | 42 | #35,322 |
| 2016 | modern | 44 | #35,224 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Kirknewton, Govan Combination, Kilfinichen and Iona, Kilninian and Kilmore and Killarow and Kilmeny. 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 | Kirknewton | Edinburgh |
| 2 | Govan Combination | Lanark |
| 3 | Kilfinichen and Iona | Argyll |
| 4 | Kilninian and Kilmore | Argyll |
| 5 | Killarow and Kilmeny | Argyll |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Macgilvray 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 Macgilvray, 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 Macgilvray surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Macgilvray 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, Macgilvray 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 Macgilvray is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Macgilvray, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname MACGILVRAY originated in Scotland, with records dating back to the 12th century. It is derived from the Gaelic personal name Gille Bhrāthair, which means "servant of the brethren" or "servant of the brotherhood." This name was likely given to someone who worked in a monastery or religious order.
The earliest known record of the name is from the Ragman Rolls of 1296, which document Scottish landowners who swore allegiance to King Edward I of England. In this document, the name is spelled "Magillerray." Over time, various spellings emerged, including McGilrewy, McGilray, McGillvray, and the modern MACGILVRAY.
In the 15th century, the MACGILVRAY clan was based in the Highlands of Scotland, particularly in the regions of Inverness-shire and Ross-shire. They were closely associated with the Clan Chattan confederation and were known as skilled archers and warriors.
One notable bearer of the name was Alexander MACGILVRAY (c. 1570-1630), a Scottish soldier who fought in the Thirty Years' War and became a respected military leader. Another was William MACGILVRAY (1796-1852), a renowned Scottish naturalist and ornithologist who made significant contributions to the study of birds.
In the 17th century, the MACGILVRAY name appeared in records from the Scottish Highlands, often in connection with land disputes and clan conflicts. One such record from 1673 mentions Duncan MACGILVRAY, a member of the Clan Chattan, who was involved in a skirmish with the Clan Mackenzie.
The MACGILVRAY name also has a connection to the island of Mull, off the west coast of Scotland. In the 18th century, a branch of the MACGILVRAY clan settled on the island, and their descendants continued to live there for generations.
In the 19th century, several MACGILVRAY individuals achieved prominence. William MACGILVRAY (1822-1892) was a Scottish-Australian explorer and surveyor who helped map parts of Australia's interior. John MACGILVRAY (1821-1867) was a Scottish naturalist and surgeon who accompanied the HMS Rattlesnake expedition to the Pacific and contributed to the study of marine biology.
Overall, the MACGILVRAY surname has a rich heritage rooted in the Scottish Highlands, with a history that spans centuries and encompasses individuals from various walks of life, including soldiers, naturalists, explorers, and clan members.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Macgilvray 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 5 Macgilvrays recorded in 1881 and an index of 204.92x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Argyllshire | 5 | 204.92x |
| Ross-shire | 2 | 82.99x |
| Inverness-shire | 1 | 38.17x |
| Midlothian | 1 | 8.52x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Kilfinichen in Argyllshire leads with 5 Macgilvrays recorded in 1881 and an index of 8333.33x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Kilfinichen | 5 | 8333.33x |
| Stornoway | 2 | 645.16x |
| Edinburgh St Cuthberts | 1 | 21.19x |
| Portree | 1 | 1000.00x |
FAQ
In 1881, 24 people were recorded with the Macgilvray surname. That placed it at #30,215 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 44 in 2016. That gives Macgilvray a modern rank of #35,224.
A Scottish surname derived from the Gaelic personal name "Gille Bhrìghde," meaning "servant of St. Brigit."
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Macgilvray 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.