NameCensus.

UK surname

Macnair

A Scottish surname derived from the Gaelic "mac an Fhir" meaning "son of the man".

In the 1881 census there were 138 people recorded with the Macnair surname, ranking it #16,292 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 309, ranked #14,442, up from #16,292 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Govan Combination, Edinburgh and St. Ninians. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include IZ19, West Dorset and Falkirk - Grahamston.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Macnair is 325 in 2004. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 123.9%.

1881 census count

138

Ranked #16,292

Modern count

309

2016, ranked #14,442

Peak year

2004

325 bearers

Map years

8

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Macnair had 138 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #16,292 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 309 in 2016, ranked #14,442.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 239 in 1891.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Macnair surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Macnair surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Macnair 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 139 #13,659
1861 historical 116 #18,751
1881 historical 138 #16,292
1891 historical 239 #13,173
1901 historical 216 #14,426
1911 historical 54 #27,423
1997 modern 304 #13,409
1998 modern 296 #13,997
1999 modern 287 #14,374
2000 modern 279 #14,636
2001 modern 284 #14,221
2002 modern 295 #14,146
2003 modern 311 #13,501
2004 modern 325 #13,161
2005 modern 321 #13,195
2006 modern 300 #13,911
2007 modern 296 #14,172
2008 modern 292 #14,403
2009 modern 294 #14,628
2010 modern 286 #15,231
2011 modern 291 #14,903
2012 modern 285 #15,050
2013 modern 296 #14,876
2014 modern 303 #14,733
2015 modern 306 #14,536
2016 modern 309 #14,442

Geography

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Where Macnairs are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Govan Combination, Edinburgh, St. Ninians, Kilmartin and Lochcarron. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to IZ19, West Dorset, Falkirk - Grahamston, Teignbridge and IZ14. 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 Govan Combination Lanark
2 Edinburgh Edinburgh
3 St. Ninians Stirling
4 Kilmartin Argyll
5 Lochcarron Ross And Cromarty

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 IZ19 East Lothian
2 West Dorset 005 West Dorset
3 Falkirk - Grahamston Falkirk
4 Teignbridge 004 Teignbridge
5 IZ14 East Lothian

Forenames

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First names often paired with Macnair

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Macnair

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Macnair, 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 Macnair surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ageing Communities, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Macnair 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

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Macnair 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

Macnair 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

Macnair falls in decile 10 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the less deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

10
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Macnair 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 - British

This describes the area pattern most associated with Macnair, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Macnair

The surname MACNAIR originated in Scotland, with its earliest records dating back to the 12th century. It is derived from the Gaelic words "mac" meaning "son of" and "nair" meaning "knave" or "servant". This suggests that the name may have originally referred to the son of a servant or someone of low social standing.

The MACNAIR name is found in various historical records from Scotland, including the Ragman Rolls of 1296, which was a list of Scottish landowners who swore fealty to King Edward I of England. One of the earliest recorded individuals with this surname was John Macnair, who was mentioned in the Exchequer Rolls of Scotland in 1504.

The MACNAIR name is also associated with several notable figures throughout history. One of the earliest was Sir Robert Macnair (c. 1515-1582), a Scottish landowner and member of the Scottish Parliament. He was known for his involvement in the Reformation movement in Scotland and his support for the Protestant cause.

Another prominent individual with this surname was Duncan Macnair (c. 1680-1753), a Scottish minister and author who wrote several religious works, including "An Inquiry into the Nature and Overture of Scripture Prophecy" and "A Treatise on the Lord's Supper".

In the 19th century, James Macnair (1801-1870) was a Scottish businessman and philanthropist who founded the Macnair Trust, which provided educational opportunities and financial assistance to underprivileged children in Glasgow.

The MACNAIR name has also been associated with various place names in Scotland, such as Macnair's Loch in Perthshire and Macnair's Isle in Argyll and Bute. These place names likely originated from individuals with the MACNAIR surname who lived in or owned land in those areas.

Another notable figure with this surname was Archibald Macnair (1875-1949), a Scottish architect who designed several iconic buildings in Glasgow, including the Glasgow School of Art and the Barony Church.

While the MACNAIR surname has its roots in Scotland, it has since spread to other parts of the world, particularly through Scottish migration and emigration. However, its origins and historical significance remain firmly rooted in the Scottish Highlands and Lowlands.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Macnair families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Macnair 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. Midlothian leads with 30 Macnairs recorded in 1881 and an index of 16.64x.

County Total Index
Midlothian 30 16.64x
Lanarkshire 27 6.20x
Ross-shire 15 40.57x
Dunbartonshire 9 24.88x
Stirlingshire 9 18.13x
Northumberland 7 3.49x
Durham 6 1.50x
Sussex 6 2.64x
Kent 5 1.09x
Devon 4 1.43x
Isle of Man 4 16.00x
Renfrewshire 4 3.83x
Angus 3 2.41x
Cheshire 2 0.67x
Roxburghshire 2 8.20x
Surrey 2 0.30x
Argyllshire 1 2.67x
Middlesex 1 0.07x
Perthshire 1 1.66x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Govan in Lanarkshire leads with 13 Macnairs recorded in 1881 and an index of 12.07x.

Place Total Index
Govan 13 12.07x
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 12 16.54x
Barony 11 9.98x
Kirkintilloch 9 183.30x
Edinburgh St Stephens 8 225.35x
Lochcarron 8 1194.03x
Edinburgh Canongate 6 130.72x
Hastings St Mary 6 106.19x
Stockton On Tees 6 31.09x
Deptford St Paul 5 14.11x
Urray 5 434.78x
Alnwick 4 116.28x
Douglas 4 1111.11x
Littleham 4 195.12x
North Leith 4 47.90x
St Ninians 4 81.30x
Dundee 3 6.44x
Falkirk 3 25.82x
Glasgow 3 3.88x
Lowick 3 428.57x
Mearns 3 163.93x
Battersea 2 4.04x
Birkenhead 2 8.44x
Jedburgh 2 83.68x
Stirling 2 31.95x
Abbey 1 6.28x
Dingwall 1 96.15x
Dunoon Kilmun 1 34.25x
Hampstead London 1 4.77x
Kincardine 1 147.06x
Logie 1 46.08x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Ann 2
Emma 2
Helen 2
Margaret 2
Mary 2
Sarah 2
Annie 1
Constance 1
Florence 1
Hilda 1
Jane 1
Jean 1
Juliet 1
Mabel 1
Margretta 1
Susannah 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
Andrew 2
Donald 2
George 2
James 2
Robert 2
Douglas 1
Malcom 1
Peter 1
Roderick 1

Top occupations

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 Macnair households.

FAQ

Macnair surname: questions and answers

How common was the Macnair surname in 1881?

In 1881, 138 people were recorded with the Macnair surname. That placed it at #16,292 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Macnair surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 309 in 2016. That gives Macnair a modern rank of #14,442.

What does the Macnair surname mean?

A Scottish surname derived from the Gaelic "mac an Fhir" meaning "son of the man".

What does the Macnair map show?

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