NameCensus.

UK surname

Macpherson

Son of the parson or priest, derived from Gaelic "mac a' phearsain."

In the 1881 census there were 2,183 people recorded with the Macpherson surname, ranking it #2,035 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 7,371, ranked #908, up from #2,035 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Govan Combination, Edinburgh and South Uist. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Skye South, Skye North East and Inverness East Rural.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Macpherson is 7,371 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 237.7%.

1881 census count

2,183

Ranked #2,035

Modern count

7,371

2016, ranked #908

Peak year

2016

7,371 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Macpherson had 2,183 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #2,035 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 7,371 in 2016, ranked #908.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 4,082 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Spacious Rural Living.

Macpherson surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Macpherson surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Macpherson 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 1,465 #1,959
1861 historical 1,485 #1,902
1881 historical 2,183 #2,035
1891 historical 3,099 #1,516
1901 historical 4,082 #1,381
1911 historical 1,022 #4,467
1997 modern 6,491 #1,000
1998 modern 6,709 #1,008
1999 modern 6,760 #1,011
2000 modern 6,902 #982
2001 modern 6,705 #987
2002 modern 6,913 #980
2003 modern 6,790 #973
2004 modern 6,774 #978
2005 modern 6,733 #970
2006 modern 6,806 #960
2007 modern 6,892 #959
2008 modern 6,954 #951
2009 modern 7,050 #964
2010 modern 7,214 #960
2011 modern 7,130 #955
2012 modern 7,101 #932
2013 modern 7,198 #936
2014 modern 7,356 #921
2015 modern 7,364 #912
2016 modern 7,371 #908

Geography

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Where Macphersons are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Govan Combination, Edinburgh, South Uist, Glasgow and Kingussie and Insh. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Skye South, Skye North East, Inverness East Rural, Benbecula and North Uist and Fort William South. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 Govan Combination Lanark
2 Edinburgh Edinburgh
3 South Uist Inverness
4 Glasgow Lanark
5 Kingussie and Insh Inverness

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Skye South Highland
2 Skye North East Highland
3 Inverness East Rural Highland
4 Benbecula and North Uist Na h-Eileanan Siar
5 Fort William South Highland

Forenames

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First names often paired with Macpherson

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Macpherson

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

Retired Professionals

Group

Spacious Rural Living

Nationally, the Macpherson surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Spacious Rural Living, within Retired Professionals. This does not mean every Macpherson household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

These predominantly ageing households typically have no resident dependent children. Most are owner-occupiers and live in detached houses in low density residential developments (although renting is more common than in the rest of the Supergroup). White ethnicity predominates. Residents are typically beyond retirement age but those still in work have managerial, professional or skilled trade occupations. White ethnicity and Christian religious affiliation predominate. Neighbourhoods are located throughout rural UK.

Wider pattern

Typically married but no longer with resident dependent children, these well-educated households either remain working in their managerial, professional, administrative or other skilled occupations, or are retired from them – the modal individual age is beyond normal retirement age. Underoccupied detached and semi-detached properties predominate, and unpaid care is more prevalent than reported disability. The prevalence of this Supergroup outside most urban conurbations indicates that rural lifestyles prevail, typically sustained by using two or more cars per household.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Macpherson 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

Macpherson 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

Macpherson falls in decile 6 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.

6
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Macpherson

The surname MACPHERSON originated in Scotland during the medieval era. It is derived from the Gaelic Mac a' Phearsain, meaning "son of the parson" or "son of the clergyman." The name suggests that the first bearer was likely the son of a priest or clergyman in the Scottish Highlands.

The earliest recorded instances of the name can be traced back to the 13th century in the regions of Badenoch and Lochaber in the Scottish Highlands. The MACPHERSON clan was one of the most powerful and influential clans in this area, with their ancestral lands centered around the village of Cluny.

In the 16th century, the MACPHERSON clan played a significant role in the Scottish Wars of Independence against the English. One notable figure was Andrew MACPHERSON (c. 1530-1600), a skilled archer and warrior who fought alongside William Wallace and Robert the Bruce.

During the 17th century, the MACPHERSON clan faced several challenges, including the Montrose Wars and the Civil War. James MACPHERSON (1675-1753), known as the "Black Officer," led the clan during these turbulent times and gained a reputation for his bravery and leadership.

The most famous bearer of the MACPHERSON surname is undoubtedly James MACPHERSON (1736-1796), the celebrated Scottish poet and writer. He is best known for his publication of the "Poems of Ossian," which claimed to be translations of ancient Gaelic epic poetry but were later revealed to be largely his own compositions.

Other notable individuals with the MACPHERSON surname include Sir David MACPHERSON (1818-1905), a Scottish-born Australian politician and statesman who served as the Premier of Victoria, and John MACPHERSON (1768-1853), a Scottish-American judge and politician who served as the 13th Governor of Virginia.

Throughout its long history, the MACPHERSON surname has maintained a strong connection to its Scottish Highland roots and has been borne by individuals who have made significant contributions to various fields, including literature, politics, and military service.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Macpherson families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Macpherson 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. Inverness-shire leads with 544 Macphersons recorded in 1881 and an index of 96.31x.

County Total Index
Inverness-shire 544 96.31x
Midlothian 223 8.80x
Lanarkshire 182 2.98x
Middlesex 100 0.53x
Ross-shire 96 18.48x
Argyllshire 86 16.33x
Sutherland 78 53.63x
Renfrewshire 54 3.68x
Lancashire 53 0.24x
Angus 44 2.51x
Aberdeenshire 43 2.45x
Morayshire 40 13.61x
Caithness 39 15.06x
Perthshire 37 4.36x
Surrey 27 0.29x
Yorkshire 24 0.13x
Gloucestershire 20 0.54x
Fife 18 1.61x
Kent 18 0.28x
Hampshire 17 0.44x
Banffshire 14 3.57x
Nairnshire 13 22.52x
Stirlingshire 13 1.86x
Ayrshire 9 0.64x
Durham 9 0.16x
Isle of Man 9 2.56x
Shetland 8 4.14x
Cheshire 7 0.17x
Dunbartonshire 7 1.38x
Lincolnshire 7 0.23x
Staffordshire 7 0.11x
Buteshire 6 5.24x
Essex 6 0.16x
Glamorgan 6 0.18x
Northumberland 6 0.21x
Channel Islands 5 0.89x
Kincardineshire 5 2.17x
Monmouthshire 5 0.37x
Royal Navy 5 2.22x
Berkshire 4 0.28x
Berwickshire 4 1.75x
Peeblesshire 4 4.50x
Roxburghshire 4 1.17x
Cambridgeshire 3 0.25x
Clackmannanshire 3 1.92x
Derbyshire 3 0.10x
Dumfriesshire 3 0.72x
Sussex 3 0.09x
Cumberland 2 0.12x
Dorset 2 0.16x
Kirkcudbrightshire 2 0.73x
Somerset 2 0.07x
Warwickshire 2 0.04x
Bedfordshire 1 0.10x
Carmarthenshire 1 0.13x
Devon 1 0.03x
Hertfordshire 1 0.08x
Northamptonshire 1 0.06x
Oxfordshire 1 0.09x
Selkirkshire 1 0.58x
Wiltshire 1 0.06x

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 126 Macphersons recorded in 1881 and an index of 12.36x.

Place Total Index
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 126 12.36x
Inverness 123 86.57x
Sleat 95 706.85x
Govan 93 6.15x
South Uist 87 220.76x
Barony 42 2.71x
Gairloch 39 130.26x
Portree 36 172.25x
Kingussie Insh 35 270.06x
Laggan 35 587.25x
Ardnamurchan 33 123.55x
South Leith 32 11.22x
Glasgow 30 2.76x
Reay 23 161.97x
Edinburgh Buccleuch 21 35.04x
Dundee 20 3.06x
Kildonan 20 158.86x
Stornoway 20 29.54x
Aberdeen Old Machar 19 5.19x
Islington London 19 1.04x
West Greenock 19 7.22x
Kilmallie 16 59.08x
Willesden 16 8.97x
Duirinish 15 52.10x
East Greenock 15 10.84x
Kilmorack 15 87.57x
Tongue 15 119.33x
Edinkillie 14 182.77x
Inverkip 14 40.52x
Kilmore Kilbride 14 41.89x
Barra 13 92.20x
Lairg 13 146.89x
Alvie 12 262.01x
Clyne 12 102.30x
Montrose 12 11.30x
Paddington London 12 1.73x
Snizort 12 85.17x
Aberdeen St Nicholas 10 3.05x
Blairgowrie 10 29.78x
Edinburgh St Georges 10 19.02x
North Uist 10 45.35x
Forres 9 29.14x
German 9 46.97x
Kilmonivaig 9 71.77x
Southcoates 9 8.65x
Cheltenham 8 2.80x
Eddrachillis 8 80.97x
Edinburgh St Stephens 8 16.04x
Lambeth 8 0.49x
St George Hanover 8 3.24x
Withington 8 11.07x
Ardclach 7 96.69x
Cheetham 7 4.18x
Cromdale 7 29.60x
Elgin 7 12.24x
Inveraray 7 102.94x
Kilmuir 7 42.14x
Latheron 7 16.16x
Morton In Gainsborough 7 117.85x
Bermondsey 6 1.07x
Blantyre 6 9.42x
Clifton 6 3.20x
Everton 6 0.84x
Hackney London 6 0.57x
Harris 6 21.13x
Huntly 6 21.05x
Leslie 6 21.16x
Liff Benvie 6 2.26x
North Leith 6 5.12x
Tain 6 30.49x
Tarbolton 6 25.75x
Bromley London 5 1.20x
Dumbarton 5 7.07x
Kensington London 5 0.48x
Leuchars 5 35.31x
Moulin 5 37.26x
Nairn 5 14.27x
St Woollos 5 3.28x
Strathblane 5 57.41x
Thwing 5 175.44x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Elizabeth 20
Mary 17
Jane 10
Jessie 7
Charlotte 6
Margaret 6
Agnes 5
Isabella 5
Louisa 5
Ann 4
Christina 4
Emily 4
Frances 4
Sarah 4
Annie 3
Eliza 3
Emma 3
Hannah 3
Kate 3
Alice 2
Barbara 2
Caroline 2
Christian 2
Edith 2
Elsie 2
Euphemia 2
Grace 2
Helen 2
Lucy 2
Margt. 2
Maria 2
Martha 2
Susan 2
Augusta 1
Azabah 1
Bezerha 1
Brodie 1
Catharine 1
Elisa 1
Elizth. 1
Ellen 1
Evelyn 1
F. 1
Harriett 1
Henrietta 1
Jean 1
Johanna 1
Juila 1
Julia 1
Wilmina 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 19
William 14
Alexander 13
James 13
George 9
Robert 9
Charles 8
Donald 5
Duncan 5
Henry 4
Andrew 3
Archibald 3
Arthur 3
Frederick 3
Herbert 3
Hugh 3
Edward 2
Ewan 2
Gordon 2
Harold 2
Lewis 2
Norman 2
Thomas 2
Thos. 2
Alex 1
Alexr. 1
Alfred 1
Berkley 1
Bertie 1
Clive 1
Collin 1
Daniel 1
Douglas 1
Ernest 1
Evan 1
Ewen 1
Frank 1
Frederic 1
Harry 1
Joseph 1
Keith 1
Lauchlen 1
M.F. 1
Malcolm 1
Nathanl 1
Owen 1
Peter 1
Pryse 1
Richard 1
Ritchie 1

FAQ

Macpherson surname: questions and answers

How common was the Macpherson surname in 1881?

In 1881, 2,183 people were recorded with the Macpherson surname. That placed it at #2,035 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Macpherson surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 7,371 in 2016. That gives Macpherson a modern rank of #908.

What does the Macpherson surname mean?

Son of the parson or priest, derived from Gaelic "mac a' phearsain."

What does the Macpherson map show?

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