NameCensus.

UK surname

Mcardell

A Scottish surname derived from the Gaelic Mac Ardghail meaning "son of Ardghal".

In the 1881 census there were 43 people recorded with the Mcardell surname, ranking it #27,575 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 97, ranked #31,585, down from #27,575 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Gwynedd, Harlow and New Forest.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Mcardell is 120 in 1999. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 125.6%.

1881 census count

43

Ranked #27,575

Modern count

97

2016, ranked #31,585

Peak year

1999

120 bearers

Map years

2

1998 to 2006

Key insights

  • Mcardell had 43 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #27,575 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 97 in 2016, ranked #31,585.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 81 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Mcardell surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Mcardell surname density by area, 2006 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Mcardell 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 55 #23,413
1861 historical 55 #27,007
1881 historical 43 #27,575
1891 historical 70 #28,073
1901 historical 61 #27,379
1911 historical 81 #24,719
1997 modern 108 #25,788
1998 modern 113 #25,731
1999 modern 120 #24,960
2000 modern 107 #26,700
2001 modern 107 #26,328
2002 modern 117 #25,494
2003 modern 111 #26,091
2004 modern 112 #26,159
2005 modern 110 #26,430
2006 modern 103 #27,785
2007 modern 101 #28,505
2008 modern 101 #28,825
2009 modern 99 #29,754
2010 modern 99 #30,397
2011 modern 88 #31,801
2012 modern 97 #30,798
2013 modern 96 #31,381
2014 modern 97 #31,518
2015 modern 97 #31,499
2016 modern 97 #31,585

Geography

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Where Mcardells 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 Gwynedd, Harlow, New Forest and Bexley. 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 Gwynedd 017 Gwynedd
2 Gwynedd 016 Gwynedd
3 Harlow 011 Harlow
4 New Forest 007 New Forest
5 Bexley 020 Bexley

Forenames

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First names often paired with Mcardell

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

Historical female names

No Forenames Found

Historical male names

No Forenames Found

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Mcardell

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

Rural Amenity

Nationally, the Mcardell surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Mcardell household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

This Group comprises older parents or retirees, with no resident dependent children, and with the lowest residential densities in this Supergroup. Predominantly UK-born, residents typically live in detached houses, although others do live in semi-detached and terraced properties. The level of multiple car ownership is the highest in this Supergroup. Most houses are owner occupied although social renting is also present. Many concentrations occur in high amenity rural locations, such as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

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

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

London Fringe

Within London, Mcardell is most associated with areas classed as London Fringe, part of Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs. 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

Predominantly located in neighbourhoods on the outskirts of Greater London, residents of these neighbourhoods typically have their highest qualifications below degree (Level 4) level, with those still in work engaged in skilled trades and occupations in distribution, hotels and restaurants. There is low ethnic diversity in these neighbourhoods and high levels of Christian religious affiliation. Detached or terraced houses predominate, often with spare rooms.

Wider London pattern

The age distribution of these neighbourhoods is skewed towards the middle-aged and old, although few residents live alone or in communal establishments and numbers of dependent children are around average. Owner occupation is the norm, as is residence in detached or semi-detached houses. Residential densities are low and many households have spare rooms. Most residents were born in the UK and, aside from some identifying as members of Chinese or Indian ethnicities, identify as White. Mixed ethnicity households are rare. Incidence of married couples is higher than average and few individuals have never been married. A large proportion of individuals still in employment work in administrative and secretarial occupations, or in the construction industry. Few residents are students, and many households own more than one car.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Mcardell 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

Mcardell 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 Mcardell is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 50-60 mbit/s.

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

8
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - Irish

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

Meaning and origin of Mcardell

The surname McArdell originates from Scotland and can be traced back to the 12th century. It is derived from the Gaelic words "mac" meaning "son" and "Ardghal," a personal name meaning "high valor" or "high spirit." The name was initially found in the regions of Argyll and the Isles, where it was often spelled as "MacArdghail" or "MacArghail."

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Ragman Rolls of 1296, which documented Scottish nobles who swore allegiance to King Edward I of England. The document includes the name "Gillecrist MacArdghal" from the Isle of Islay. This suggests that the McArdell family had established a presence in the Hebrides archipelago by the late 13th century.

In the 14th century, the name appeared in various forms, including "MacArdill," "MacArdell," and "McArdell." A prominent figure from this era was Duncan McArdell, a renowned warrior who fought alongside Robert the Bruce during the Scottish Wars of Independence. Duncan was born around 1290 and died in battle in 1314.

The McArdell name continued to be associated with the Hebrides islands throughout the Middle Ages. In the 16th century, a notable figure was Angus McArdell, born in 1510 on the Isle of Mull. Angus was a respected clan chieftain and played a crucial role in mediating disputes between rival clans in the region.

During the 17th century, the McArdell family expanded their presence to other parts of Scotland. In 1642, a document from the parish of Kilmarnock mentions a John McArdell, who was a landowner and a prominent figure in the local community. Another notable individual from this period was William McArdell, born in 1670 in Ayrshire, who served as a captain in the Scottish army during the Jacobite risings.

In the 18th century, the McArdell name gained recognition beyond Scotland. James McArdell, born in 1729 in Dublin, Ireland, became a renowned mezzotint engraver and is considered one of the greatest practitioners of the art form. His intricate engravings of portraits and historical scenes brought him widespread acclaim throughout Europe.

As the centuries passed, the McArdell name continued to be associated with various professions and achievements. From clan chieftains and warriors to artists and landowners, the name has left an indelible mark on the history of Scotland and beyond.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Mcardell families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Mcardell 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. Kent leads with 1 Mcardells recorded in 1881 and an index of 30.40x.

County Total Index
Kent 1 30.40x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Erith in Kent leads with 1 Mcardells recorded in 1881 and an index of 3333.33x.

Place Total Index
Erith 1 3333.33x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Jane 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 Mcardell households.

Occupation Count
Domestic Servant 1

FAQ

Mcardell surname: questions and answers

How common was the Mcardell surname in 1881?

In 1881, 43 people were recorded with the Mcardell surname. That placed it at #27,575 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Mcardell surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 97 in 2016. That gives Mcardell a modern rank of #31,585.

What does the Mcardell surname mean?

A Scottish surname derived from the Gaelic Mac Ardghail meaning "son of Ardghal".

What does the Mcardell map show?

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