NameCensus.

UK surname

Mcallan

A Scottish surname derived from the Gaelic Mac Ailein, meaning "son of the bright one".

In the 1881 census there were 344 people recorded with the Mcallan surname, ranking it #8,864 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 407, ranked #11,735, down from #8,864 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Cluny, Govan Combination and Edinburgh. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Mearns North and Inverbervie, Heathryfold and Middlefield and Banchory-Devenick and Findon.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Mcallan is 450 in 1901. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 18.3%.

1881 census count

344

Ranked #8,864

Modern count

407

2016, ranked #11,735

Peak year

1901

450 bearers

Map years

8

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Mcallan had 344 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #8,864 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 407 in 2016, ranked #11,735.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 450 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Legacy and Demographically Mixed Communities.

Mcallan surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Mcallan surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Mcallan 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 321 #7,237
1861 historical 299 #8,460
1881 historical 344 #8,864
1891 historical 404 #8,802
1901 historical 450 #8,700
1911 historical 51 #27,708
1997 modern 366 #11,781
1998 modern 376 #11,918
1999 modern 373 #12,054
2000 modern 385 #11,738
2001 modern 359 #12,153
2002 modern 371 #12,096
2003 modern 356 #12,258
2004 modern 353 #12,377
2005 modern 339 #12,668
2006 modern 343 #12,626
2007 modern 348 #12,637
2008 modern 354 #12,591
2009 modern 370 #12,416
2010 modern 374 #12,597
2011 modern 371 #12,546
2012 modern 366 #12,520
2013 modern 382 #12,337
2014 modern 395 #12,125
2015 modern 403 #11,835
2016 modern 407 #11,735

Geography

Back to top

Where Mcallans are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Cluny, Govan Combination, Edinburgh, Midmar and Fraserburgh. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Mearns North and Inverbervie, Heathryfold and Middlefield, Banchory-Devenick and Findon, Wick South and Westhill Central. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 Cluny Aberdeen
2 Govan Combination Lanark
3 Edinburgh Edinburgh
4 Midmar Aberdeen
5 Fraserburgh Aberdeen

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Mearns North and Inverbervie Aberdeenshire
2 Heathryfold and Middlefield Aberdeen City
3 Banchory-Devenick and Findon Aberdeenshire
4 Wick South Highland
5 Westhill Central Aberdeenshire

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Mcallan

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

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for Mcallan

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

Legacy Communities

Group

Legacy and Demographically Mixed Communities

Nationally, the Mcallan surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Legacy and Demographically Mixed Communities, within Legacy Communities. This does not mean every Mcallan household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Households in these areas often include divorced or separated parents and commonly include children and young adults. The age structure is heavily skewed towards the most advanced age groups. Individuals identifying as members of ethnic minorities are not present in large numbers. Flats predominate, with some terraced, semi-detached, and detached units. Multiple car ownership is low, and housing is predominantly in the private and social rented sectors. Employment is less skewed towards traditional routine industrial occupations. Levels of educational attainment are generally low. The Group occurs principally in the Central Lowlands of Scotland and other Scottish towns.

Wider pattern

These neighbourhoods characteristically comprise pockets of flats that are scattered across the UK, particularly in towns that retain or have legacies of heavy industry or are in more remote seaside locations. Employed residents of these neighbourhoods work mainly in low-skilled occupations. Residents typically have limited educational qualifications. Unemployment is above average. Some residents live in overcrowded housing within the social rented sector and experience long-term disability. All adult age groups are represented, although there is an overall age bias towards elderly people in general and the very old in particular. Individuals identifying as belonging to ethnic minorities or Mixed or Multiple ethnic groups are uncommon.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins

Within London, Mcallan is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins, part of Young Families and Mainstream Employment. 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

Scattered across London’s Inner and Outer suburbs, residents of these neighbourhoods are typically housed in the social rented sector. Although terraced and semi-detached houses predominate, more residents live in flats than elsewhere in the Supergroup. Neighbourhoods are more ethnically diverse than the Supergroup average. Those identifying as of Bangladeshi, Pakistani and some Black ethnicities are more prevalent. Europeans born in a overseas non-EU countries make up more of the lower proportion of residents identifying as White. Few residents are very old (85+). Employment in distribution, hotels and restaurants is more common than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

Many families in these neighbourhoods have young children. Housing is principally in the social rented sector, in terraced or semi-detached units. While over-all residential densities are low, overcrowding is also prevalent locally. Residents are drawn from a range of ethnic minorities, with many identifying as Black and above average numbers born in Africa. Numbers identifying as of Chinese, Indian or White ethnicity are below average. Levels of proficiency in English are below average. Levels of separation or divorce and incidence of disability are both above average. Education is typically limited to Level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. Few residents work in professional or managerial occupations but the employment structure is otherwise diverse: it includes skilled trades, caring, leisure and other service occupations, sales and customer service occupations, construction, and work as process, plant, and machine operatives.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Mcallan 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

Mcallan falls in decile 4 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.

4
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Mcallan 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 - British

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

Meaning and origin of Mcallan

The surname McAllan originates from Scotland and is notably part of the Gaelic tradition. The prefix "Mc" or "Mac" means "son of" in Gaelic, indicating a patronymic origin. The root "Allan" is derived from the Gaelic name Ailin or Ailene, which means "little rock" or "harmony." The name itself suggests that it was originally used to denote the descendants of a man named Allan.

Historically, the surname McAllan would have been found predominantly in the Scottish Highlands, a region where Gaelic names were common. The surname has several variant spellings due to the phonetic transcription of Gaelic names into English, including MacAllan, McAllen, and MacAlain.

Early records of the surname McAllan are sparse, but the name appears in various forms in Scottish documents from the medieval period onwards. One of the earliest instances of a similar name appears in the Ragman Rolls of 1296, where Scottish nobles and landowners pledged allegiance to Edward I of England. Although the precise spelling "McAllan" may not be found in this early record, variant forms such as MacAlain could be included.

One of the earliest recorded references to someone bearing a variant of the name is John MacAlian, who is mentioned in a land grant record from the early 1400s. Another notable historical figure is Sir Hugh McAllan, who served as a knight in the court of James III of Scotland during the late 15th century.

In the 17th century, Alexander McAllan was known for his involvement in the Covenanter movement, a Scottish Presbyterian reform movement. Born in 1610 and dying in 1679, he was a fervent supporter of the National Covenant of 1638 against the attempts by the Stuart monarchy to impose Anglican practices upon the Church of Scotland.

Moving into the 18th century, the historian and genealogist Archibald McAllan made significant contributions to the understanding of Gaelic names and the lineage of various Scottish clans. Born in 1703, he authored several manuscripts tracing the origins and migrations of families of Gaelic descent. He passed away in 1767, leaving behind a wealth of genealogical information.

In the world of arts and literature, Fiona McAllan, a noted poet of the late 19th century, gained acclaim for her works that often described the natural beauty and cultural history of the Scottish Highlands. Born in 1854 and dying in 1921, her poetry helped to sustain and romanticize Gaelic traditions during an era of significant cultural change.

Through centuries of historical records, it is evident that the surname McAllan has deep roots in Scottish history, associated with various notable figures and events. The name has evolved and endured, holding a significant place within the tapestry of Gaelic heritage.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

Back to top

Mcallan families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Mcallan 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. Norfolk leads with 6 Mcallans recorded in 1881 and an index of 33.39x.

County Total Index
Norfolk 6 33.39x
Yorkshire 4 3.45x
Northumberland 2 11.50x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Heigham in Norfolk leads with 6 Mcallans recorded in 1881 and an index of 625.00x.

Place Total Index
Heigham 6 625.00x
Halifax 2 117.65x
Newcastle On Tyne St 2 222.22x
Hinderwell 1 1000.00x
Linthorpe 1 144.93x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Isabella 2
Bertha 1
Ellen 1
Helsee 1
Meggie 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 2
George 1
Henry 1
James 1
Thomas 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 Mcallan households.

FAQ

Mcallan surname: questions and answers

How common was the Mcallan surname in 1881?

In 1881, 344 people were recorded with the Mcallan surname. That placed it at #8,864 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Mcallan surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 407 in 2016. That gives Mcallan a modern rank of #11,735.

What does the Mcallan surname mean?

A Scottish surname derived from the Gaelic Mac Ailein, meaning "son of the bright one".

What does the Mcallan map show?

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