NameCensus.

UK surname

Mcaleavey

An Irish surname originating from a nickname meaning "descended from the guileful one".

In the 1881 census there were 2 people recorded with the Mcaleavey surname, ranking it #33,721 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 194, ranked #19,976, up from #33,721 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Allerdale, Knowsley and Greenend and Carnbroe.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Mcaleavey is 194 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 9600.0%.

1881 census count

2

Ranked #33,721

Modern count

194

2016, ranked #19,976

Peak year

2016

194 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Mcaleavey had 2 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #33,721 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 194 in 2016, ranked #19,976.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 73 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established but Challenged.

Mcaleavey surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Mcaleavey surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Mcaleavey 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 5 #32,456
1861 historical 21 #31,242
1881 historical 2 #33,721
1891 historical 23 #32,389
1901 historical 73 #26,069
1911 historical 55 #27,313
1997 modern 171 #19,438
1998 modern 171 #19,956
1999 modern 171 #20,072
2000 modern 169 #20,199
2001 modern 165 #20,199
2002 modern 168 #20,396
2003 modern 153 #21,406
2004 modern 161 #20,840
2005 modern 164 #20,552
2006 modern 160 #21,066
2007 modern 162 #21,115
2008 modern 166 #20,966
2009 modern 172 #20,950
2010 modern 184 #20,521
2011 modern 179 #20,732
2012 modern 176 #20,915
2013 modern 187 #20,436
2014 modern 192 #20,230
2015 modern 189 #20,345
2016 modern 194 #19,976

Geography

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Where Mcaleaveys are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around No data. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Allerdale, Knowsley, Greenend and Carnbroe and Overtown. 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 No data No data

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Allerdale 009 Allerdale
2 Allerdale 008 Allerdale
3 Knowsley 001 Knowsley
4 Greenend and Carnbroe North Lanarkshire
5 Overtown North Lanarkshire

Forenames

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First names often paired with Mcaleavey

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Mcaleavey

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

Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce

Group

Established but Challenged

Nationally, the Mcaleavey surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Established but Challenged, within Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce. This does not mean every Mcaleavey household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many households in these neighbourhoods comprise separated or divorced single parents with dependent children. Residents are typically born in the UK, and these neighbourhoods have relatively few members of ethnic minorities. The prevalence of children, their parents and those at or above normal retirement age, suggests neighbourhood structures may be long-established. Levels of unpaid care are high, and long-term disability is more common than in the Supergroup as a whole. Use of the social rented sector is common, often in terraced houses. Levels of overcrowding are above the Supergroup average. Unemployment is high, while those in work are employed in elementary occupations such as caring, leisure and customer services. Many residents have low level qualifications. Neighbourhood concentrations of this Group are found in the South Wales Valleys, Belfast, Londonderry and the Central Lowlands of Scotland.

Wider pattern

Living in terraced or semi-detached houses, residents of these neighbourhoods typically lack high levels of education and work in elementary or routine service occupations. Unemployment is above average. Residents are predominantly born in the UK, and residents are also predominantly from ethnic minorities. Social (but not private sector) rented sector housing is common. This Supergroup is found throughout the UK’s conurbations and industrial regions but is also an integral part of smaller towns.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Mcaleavey 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.

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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

Mcaleavey is most concentrated in decile 10 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier 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.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Mcaleavey falls in decile 1 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

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

1
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Mcaleavey is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 25-30 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

5
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - Irish

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

Meaning and origin of Mcaleavey

The surname McAleavey is of Irish origin and can be traced back to the early 17th century. It is believed to have originated from the Gaelic name 'Mac Gillidhir', which translates to 'son of the servant of the church'. This name was commonly found in the counties of Donegal, Tyrone, and Fermanagh.

The earliest recorded mention of the name McAleavey can be found in the Fiants of the Reign of James I, a collection of documents from the early 17th century. In this record, the name appears as 'McEllygott', which is likely an anglicized spelling of the original Gaelic form.

One of the earliest known individuals with the surname McAleavey was Patrick McAleavey, who was born in County Donegal in the late 16th century. He is mentioned in the Annals of the Four Masters, a chronicle of medieval Irish history, for his involvement in a local dispute.

In the 18th century, the name McAleavey was well-established in County Tyrone, particularly in the parish of Termonmaguirk. The Termonmaguirk Parish Registers, dating back to the early 1700s, contain numerous entries of births, marriages, and deaths of individuals with the surname McAleavey.

A notable figure with the surname McAleavey was Reverend John McAleavey, who was born in County Tyrone in 1760. He served as the parish priest of Termonmaguirk for over 40 years and was known for his dedication to education and the establishment of several schools in the area.

Another individual of note was Bridget McAleavey, born in 1792 in County Fermanagh. She was a renowned Irish language scholar and poet, and her works were widely celebrated during her lifetime.

In the 19th century, the McAleavey family continued to be prominent in Counties Tyrone and Fermanagh. One of the most famous individuals with this surname was Patrick McAleavey, born in 1820 in County Tyrone. He was a prominent lawyer and political activist who played a significant role in the Irish Home Rule movement.

Throughout history, the surname McAleavey has also been associated with several place names in Ireland. One example is the townland of Mullaghaleavey, located in County Tyrone, which is derived from the Irish 'Muileann Mhic Gillidhir', meaning 'McAleavey's Mill'.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Mcaleavey surname: questions and answers

How common was the Mcaleavey surname in 1881?

In 1881, 2 people were recorded with the Mcaleavey surname. That placed it at #33,721 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Mcaleavey surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 194 in 2016. That gives Mcaleavey a modern rank of #19,976.

What does the Mcaleavey surname mean?

An Irish surname originating from a nickname meaning "descended from the guileful one".

What does the Mcaleavey map show?

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