UK surname
An Irish surname derived from the Gaelic "Mac Abadh" meaning "son of the abbot".
In the 1881 census there were 84 people recorded with the Mcabe surname, ranking it #21,690 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 31, ranked #35,942, down from #21,690 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Toxteth Park, Edinburgh and Manchester. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Mcabe is 110 in 1891. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 63.1%.
1881 census count
84
Ranked #21,690
Modern count
31
2016, ranked #35,942
Peak year
1891
110 bearers
Map years
1
1891 to 1891
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Mcabe surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Mcabe surname density by area, 1891 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 | 47 | #24,810 |
| 1861 | historical | 77 | #23,975 |
| 1881 | historical | 84 | #21,690 |
| 1891 | historical | 110 | #22,557 |
| 1901 | historical | 57 | #27,846 |
| 1911 | historical | 25 | #30,654 |
| 1997 | modern | 27 | #35,016 |
| 1998 | modern | 28 | #35,053 |
| 1999 | modern | 30 | #34,939 |
| 2000 | modern | 31 | #34,798 |
| 2001 | modern | 28 | #34,936 |
| 2002 | modern | 34 | #34,634 |
| 2003 | modern | 33 | #34,773 |
| 2004 | modern | 34 | #34,868 |
| 2005 | modern | 25 | #35,752 |
| 2006 | modern | 23 | #36,054 |
| 2007 | modern | 23 | #36,142 |
| 2008 | modern | 28 | #35,875 |
| 2009 | modern | 33 | #35,671 |
| 2010 | modern | 36 | #35,620 |
| 2011 | modern | 33 | #35,777 |
| 2012 | modern | 33 | #35,767 |
| 2013 | modern | 28 | #36,096 |
| 2014 | modern | 28 | #36,107 |
| 2015 | modern | 30 | #35,979 |
| 2016 | modern | 31 | #35,942 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Toxteth Park, Edinburgh, Manchester, Glasgow and Liverpool. 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 | Toxteth Park | Lancashire |
| 2 | Edinburgh | Edinburgh |
| 3 | Manchester | Lancashire |
| 4 | Glasgow | Lanark |
| 5 | Liverpool | Lancashire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Mcabe 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 Mcabe, 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 Mcabe surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Mcabe 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, Mcabe 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 Mcabe is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Mcabe, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname McCabe has its origins in Ireland, specifically from the Gaelic surname Mac Cába. The prefix "Mac" signifies "son of," and "Cába" is believed to be a personal name or a byname. The name likely dates back to medieval Ireland, with the area of Ulster being notably significant for its origination. The McCabe family was part of the Cenél Conaill dynasty, a branch of the Northern Uí Néill.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname McCabe can be found in the Annals of Ulster, a chronicle of medieval Ireland, where a member of the family is mentioned in the entry for the year 1362. The name appears in early manuscripts with various spellings, including MacCaba and MacAba, reflective of the phonetic spelling conventions of the time.
In historical records, one significant bearer of the name McCabe is Sir Nicholas McCabe, who lived during the early 17th century. He was a prominent figure during the Nine Years' War (1594-1603) and was noted for his allegiance to the O'Neill dynasty. Another notable McCabe was Owen McCabe, who took part in the Irish Confederate Wars in the mid-17th century. Owen McCabe played a role in the Confederate Catholics' efforts against English Parliamentary forces.
James McCabe, born in 1748, is a distinguished figure in the realm of horology. An Irish watchmaker who moved to London, he gained prominence for his exceptional craftsmanship and precision in clockmaking. His works remain highly prized and sought after by collectors even today. James McCabe passed away in 1811, leaving behind a legacy of innovation in timekeeping.
In the 19th century, another prominent McCabe was John Calvin McCabe, an American educator, born in 1830. He contributed significantly to the development of educational infrastructure in Virginia and was instrumental in the establishment of several institutions. His impact on education helped set the foundation for future academic advancements in the region.
Sir Thomas MacCabe, a politician and merchant, was born in 1846 and became a significant figure in Belfast's civic life. He served as the Lord Mayor of Belfast, leveraging his influence to improve the city's infrastructure and living conditions. His contributions were pivotal during his tenure, which marked a period of transformation for Belfast in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Sir Thomas MacCabe passed away in 1923, remembered for his dedication to public service and his efforts in urban development.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Mcabe 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. Staffordshire leads with 6 Mcabes recorded in 1881 and an index of 13.03x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Staffordshire | 6 | 13.03x |
| Lancashire | 4 | 2.47x |
| Cheshire | 2 | 6.64x |
| Northumberland | 1 | 4.93x |
| Yorkshire | 1 | 0.74x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Harborne in Staffordshire leads with 6 Mcabes recorded in 1881 and an index of 405.41x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Harborne | 6 | 405.41x |
| Liverpool | 4 | 40.69x |
| Lower Bebington | 2 | 1111.11x |
| Ogle | 1 | 0.00x |
| Skelbrooke | 1 | 10000.00x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Mcabe 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 Mcabe 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 Mcabe households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 7 |
| Labourer | 2 |
| Basket Girl | 1 |
| Blacksmiths Apprentice | 1 |
| House Servant | 1 |
| Shepherd | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 84 people were recorded with the Mcabe surname. That placed it at #21,690 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 31 in 2016. That gives Mcabe a modern rank of #35,942.
An Irish surname derived from the Gaelic "Mac Abadh" meaning "son of the abbot".
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Mcabe 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.