NameCensus.

UK surname

Maclaren

A Scottish surname derived from the Gaelic MacLàrainn meaning "son of the battler" or "son of the skilled servant".

In the 1881 census there were 337 people recorded with the Maclaren surname, ranking it #8,981 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,199, ranked #4,962, up from #8,981 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Meigle, London parishes and Edinburgh. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Black Isle South, Lochaber West and Bridgend.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Maclaren is 1,199 in 2014. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 255.8%.

1881 census count

337

Ranked #8,981

Modern count

1,199

2016, ranked #4,962

Peak year

2014

1,199 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Maclaren had 337 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #8,981 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,199 in 2016, ranked #4,962.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 573 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Maclaren surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Maclaren surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Maclaren 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 342 #6,879
1861 historical 287 #8,773
1881 historical 337 #8,981
1891 historical 423 #8,465
1901 historical 573 #7,321
1911 historical 247 #13,016
1997 modern 1,139 #4,926
1998 modern 1,160 #5,019
1999 modern 1,139 #5,150
2000 modern 1,141 #5,114
2001 modern 1,086 #5,225
2002 modern 1,131 #5,165
2003 modern 1,087 #5,232
2004 modern 1,099 #5,187
2005 modern 1,101 #5,123
2006 modern 1,088 #5,181
2007 modern 1,131 #5,065
2008 modern 1,136 #5,083
2009 modern 1,157 #5,109
2010 modern 1,172 #5,143
2011 modern 1,141 #5,211
2012 modern 1,125 #5,188
2013 modern 1,179 #5,071
2014 modern 1,199 #5,023
2015 modern 1,199 #4,978
2016 modern 1,199 #4,962

Geography

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Where Maclarens are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Meigle, London parishes, Edinburgh and Glasgow. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Black Isle South, Lochaber West, Bridgend, Deans Village and Mid Argyll. 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 Meigle Perth
2 London parishes London 1
3 London parishes London 3
4 Edinburgh Edinburgh
5 Glasgow Lanark

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Black Isle South Highland
2 Lochaber West Highland
3 Bridgend 004 Bridgend
4 Deans Village City of Edinburgh
5 Mid Argyll Argyll and Bute

Forenames

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First names often paired with Maclaren

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Maclaren

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

Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities

Group

Ageing Communities

Nationally, the Maclaren surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ageing Communities, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Maclaren household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many residents are of normal retirement age or above and live in communal establishments, and there are few dependent children. The dominant property type is a mix of retirement flats and detached houses. Those in work are likely to be employed in managerial and professional occupations, and many residents are educated to degree level. Levels of owner occupation are high, but the private rental sector is also present. Rural locations predominate.

Wider pattern

Pervasive throughout the UK, members of this Supergroup typically own (or are buying) their detached, semi-detached or terraced homes. They are also typically educated to A Level/Highers or degree level and work in skilled or professional occupations. Typically born in the UK, some families have children, although the median adult age is above 45 and some property has become under-occupied after children have left home. This Supergroup is pervasive not only in suburban locations, but also in neighbourhoods at or beyond the edge of cities that adjoin rural parts of the country.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Maclaren is most associated with areas classed as Skilled Trades and Construction 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

These scattered, peripheral and often low residential density neighbourhoods house more workers in skilled trades and construction. Few households rent social housing and there are few students. Multiple car ownership is higher than the Supergroup average, perhaps because of poorer public transport connectivity. Incidence of mixed or multiple ethnicity is below the Supergroup average, and the absence of individuals identifying as Pakistani or Other Asian groups is also less pronounced. Flatted accommodation is less dominant than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

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

Maclaren is most concentrated in decile 1 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the less healthy 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.

1
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Maclaren falls in decile 7 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.

7
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Maclaren 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 Maclaren, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Maclaren

The surname MacLaren has its origins in the Scottish Highlands, with the earliest known records dating back to the 13th century. The name is derived from the Gaelic "MacLabhruinn," meaning "son of the loud or noisy one," or "son of the wanderer." It is believed that the name originally referred to a person with a loud voice or a wandering lifestyle.

The MacLaren clan was traditionally based in the region of Balquhidder, near Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park in central Scotland. The name first appeared in written records in the early 1200s, with references to individuals bearing the name in charters and land grants from that period.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name is found in the Ragman Rolls, a collection of documents from 1296 that recorded the names of Scottish landowners who pledged allegiance to King Edward I of England. The Ragman Rolls mention a "Malcolm Maklouren" from the region of Balquhidder.

In the 14th century, the MacLarens were involved in conflicts with neighboring clans, such as the MacGregors, over territorial disputes. The clan's crest features a laurel wreath and the motto "Aucto Virtute Gloria" (Glory through virtue increased), reflecting their proud heritage and martial spirit.

Notable individuals bearing the MacLaren surname throughout history include:

1. Sir John MacLaren (c. 1470-1537), a Scottish nobleman and chief of the MacLaren clan during the 16th century. 2. Archibald MacLaren (1672-1750), a Presbyterian minister and author of several religious works in the early 18th century. 3. John MacLaren (1789-1865), a Scottish businessman and philanthropist who helped establish the University of Edinburgh's chair of rhetoric and belles-lettres. 4. Eva MacLaren (1838-1911), a Scottish-born Canadian author and journalist who wrote extensively on women's rights and social issues. 5. Archibald Douglas MacLaren (1860-1940), a Scottish-born Australian politician and member of the Australian Senate from 1901 to 1920.

The MacLaren name has been found in various spellings over the centuries, including McLaren, McLaurin, and McClaren, reflecting the fluid nature of surname spellings in earlier times. While the name is most commonly associated with Scotland, it has spread to other parts of the world through emigration, particularly to North America, Australia, and New Zealand.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Maclaren families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Maclaren 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. Lanarkshire leads with 53 Maclarens recorded in 1881 and an index of 6.09x.

County Total Index
Lanarkshire 53 6.09x
Surrey 40 3.05x
Midlothian 32 8.87x
Perthshire 19 15.72x
Angus 16 6.41x
Middlesex 16 0.59x
Inverness-shire 13 16.17x
Stirlingshire 12 12.08x
Durham 8 1.00x
Lancashire 7 0.22x
Ross-shire 7 9.47x
Clackmannanshire 6 26.98x
Cumberland 6 2.59x
Fife 5 3.14x
Hampshire 5 0.91x
Yorkshire 5 0.19x
Norfolk 4 0.97x
Sussex 4 0.88x
Argyllshire 3 4.00x
Essex 3 0.56x
Kent 2 0.22x
Aberdeenshire 1 0.40x
Caithness 1 2.71x
Cambridgeshire 1 0.59x
East Lothian 1 2.80x
Hertfordshire 1 0.54x
Northumberland 1 0.25x
Peeblesshire 1 7.90x
Warwickshire 1 0.15x
Wiltshire 1 0.42x
Worcestershire 1 0.28x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Edinburgh St Cuthberts in Midlothian leads with 26 Maclarens recorded in 1881 and an index of 17.92x.

Place Total Index
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 26 17.92x
Glasgow 16 10.35x
Govan 15 6.97x
Barony 14 6.35x
Inverness 13 64.29x
Croydon 9 12.36x
Lambeth 9 3.83x
Buchanan 8 1568.63x
Bothwell 7 29.65x
Dundee 6 6.44x
St Marylebone London 6 4.17x
Tillicoultry 6 121.21x
Camberwell 5 2.91x
Edderton 5 684.93x
Panbride 5 384.62x
Southwark Christchurch 5 39.62x
Wandsworth 5 19.29x
Bermondsey 4 4.99x
Callander 4 201.01x
Easington 4 344.83x
Farlington 4 353.98x
Logie 4 92.17x
Rickergate 4 81.63x
Stretford 4 22.75x
Aberdalgie 3 1071.43x
Brighton 3 3.28x
East Dereham 3 57.36x
Forfar 3 22.21x
Gateshead 3 5.00x
Kilmallie 3 77.72x
Larbert 3 50.51x
St Pancras London 3 1.38x
Brampton 2 62.89x
Dunbarney 2 285.71x
Leyton 2 21.86x
Litherland 2 29.94x
Pudsey 2 14.03x
Southwark St Olave 2 97.09x
St Andrews 2 27.59x
Stalisfield 2 645.16x
Birmingham 1 0.44x
Blair Athole 1 62.11x
Cockpen 1 23.70x
Constable Burton 1 500.00x
Crathie Braemar 1 67.11x
Crieff 1 22.27x
Darlington 1 3.23x
Dirleton 1 71.43x
Dunblane 1 34.60x
Eastbourne 1 4.79x
Edinburgh St Stephens 1 14.08x
Fodderty 1 53.48x
Gairloch 1 23.47x
Hammersmith London 1 1.51x
Heytesbury 1 114.94x
Hound 1 26.67x
Innerleithen 1 29.76x
Islington London 1 0.38x
Kilspindie 1 156.25x
Kinglassie 1 82.64x
Kings Norton 1 3.17x
Kinnoull 1 31.45x
Kirby Fleetham 1 196.08x
Kirkcaldy 1 12.66x
Kirkden 1 64.10x
Lasswade 1 12.12x
Liff Benvie 1 2.64x
Meigle 1 111.11x
Olrig 1 54.35x
Orsett 1 71.94x
Paddington London 1 1.01x
Pendlebury 1 14.81x
Rutherglen 1 7.83x
Saline 1 113.64x
St Andrewthe Less 1 5.13x
Stirling 1 7.99x
Watford 1 6.95x
West Calder 1 14.06x
Westminster St 1 10.07x
York Mint Yard St 1 434.78x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Elizabeth 7
Mary 6
Sarah 5
Alice 4
Isabella 3
Jessie 3
Eliza 2
Emily 2
Emma 2
Fanny 2
Jane 2
Margaret 2
Agness 1
Ann 1
Annie 1
Caroline 1
Catherine 1
Esther 1
Eugenia 1
Florence 1
Janet 1
Julia 1
Maria 1
Rachel 1
Rose 1
Rosida 1
Selina 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 7
Charles 4
James 4
Alexander 3
William 3
Albert 2
Alex 2
Alfred 2
Frederick 2
George 2
Robert 2
Thomas 2
Arthur 1
Chas.Fredk. 1
Chas.G. 1
David 1
Douglas 1
Duncan 1
Edwin 1
Emma 1
Henry 1
Herbert 1
Joseph 1
Norman 1
Roderick 1
Thos.Geo. 1
Walter 1

FAQ

Maclaren surname: questions and answers

How common was the Maclaren surname in 1881?

In 1881, 337 people were recorded with the Maclaren surname. That placed it at #8,981 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Maclaren surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,199 in 2016. That gives Maclaren a modern rank of #4,962.

What does the Maclaren surname mean?

A Scottish surname derived from the Gaelic MacLàrainn meaning "son of the battler" or "son of the skilled servant".

What does the Maclaren map show?

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