UK surname
An Irish surname derived from the Gaelic surname Mac Cana meaning "son of the fair one."
In the 1881 census there were 80 people recorded with the Mccanna surname, ranking it #22,225 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 53, ranked #34,727, down from #22,225 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Hamilton, New Monkland and St Pancras. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Mccanna is 171 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 33.8%.
1881 census count
80
Ranked #22,225
Modern count
53
2016, ranked #34,727
Peak year
1861
171 bearers
Map years
2
1851 to 1861
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Mccanna surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Mccanna surname density by area, 1861 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 | 139 | #13,659 |
| 1861 | historical | 171 | #13,692 |
| 1881 | historical | 80 | #22,225 |
| 1891 | historical | 55 | #29,744 |
| 1901 | historical | 42 | #29,487 |
| 1911 | historical | 28 | #30,296 |
| 1997 | modern | 47 | #32,975 |
| 1998 | modern | 48 | #33,111 |
| 1999 | modern | 46 | #33,424 |
| 2000 | modern | 52 | #32,916 |
| 2001 | modern | 52 | #32,764 |
| 2002 | modern | 53 | #33,021 |
| 2003 | modern | 46 | #33,710 |
| 2004 | modern | 40 | #34,387 |
| 2005 | modern | 44 | #34,255 |
| 2006 | modern | 48 | #34,245 |
| 2007 | modern | 50 | #34,347 |
| 2008 | modern | 50 | #34,521 |
| 2009 | modern | 54 | #34,431 |
| 2010 | modern | 59 | #34,273 |
| 2011 | modern | 59 | #34,265 |
| 2012 | modern | 55 | #34,565 |
| 2013 | modern | 54 | #34,666 |
| 2014 | modern | 54 | #34,700 |
| 2015 | modern | 54 | #34,675 |
| 2016 | modern | 53 | #34,727 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Hamilton, New Monkland, St Pancras, Edinburgh and Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry. 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 | Hamilton | Lanark |
| 2 | New Monkland | Lanark |
| 3 | St Pancras | London (North Districts) |
| 4 | Edinburgh | Edinburgh |
| 5 | Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry | Forfar |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Mccanna 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 Mccanna, 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 Mccanna surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Mccanna 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, Mccanna 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 Mccanna is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Mccanna, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname McCanna originates from Ireland and Scotland, dating back to the 12th century. It is derived from the Gaelic "Mac Cana," which means "son of Cana." Cana was a personal name of Celtic origin, believed to be associated with the word "cain," meaning fair or bright.
In early records, the name appeared with various spellings, such as McCanna, MacCanna, and MacCana. One of the earliest known references to the name can be found in the Annals of Ulster from the 13th century, where a member of the McCanna family was mentioned as a prominent figure in County Down, Ireland.
The McCanna clan was historically based in the northern regions of Ireland, particularly in Counties Down, Antrim, and Tyrone. They were known for their involvement in agriculture and local politics during the medieval period.
One notable figure bearing the McCanna name was Seán McCanna, a 16th-century Irish poet and scholar from County Down. He was renowned for his contributions to the preservation of Irish language and literature.
In Scotland, the McCanna name can be traced back to the 16th century, where it was concentrated in the regions of Ayrshire and Lanarkshire. One of the earliest recorded instances of the name in Scotland was in the parish records of Kilwinning, Ayrshire, in 1589, where a John McCanna was mentioned.
During the 17th century, several members of the McCanna family played significant roles in the conflicts between Scottish Presbyterians and the established Church of Scotland. A prominent figure was William McCanna (1632-1701), a Presbyterian minister and author from Lanarkshire, known for his opposition to the religious policies of King Charles II.
In the 19th century, James McCanna (1810-1889), a prominent Scottish businessman and philanthropist from Ayrshire, made significant contributions to the development of his local community. He funded the construction of several schools and hospitals in the region.
Another notable individual was Mary McCanna (1837-1922), an Irish writer and activist from County Tyrone. She was involved in the Irish literary revival movement and wrote several works highlighting the cultural traditions of Ireland.
Throughout history, the McCanna surname has been associated with various professions, including agriculture, education, religion, and literature, reflecting the diverse backgrounds and contributions of individuals bearing this name.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Mccanna 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. Lancashire leads with 9 Mccannas recorded in 1881 and an index of 7.80x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Lancashire | 9 | 7.80x |
| Northumberland | 1 | 6.91x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Warrington in Lancashire leads with 4 Mccannas recorded in 1881 and an index of 291.97x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Warrington | 4 | 291.97x |
| Kirkdale | 3 | 154.64x |
| Ashton Under Lyne | 1 | 39.68x |
| Cowpen | 1 | 303.03x |
| Liverpool | 1 | 14.27x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Mccanna 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 Mccanna 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 Mccanna households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Bricklayers Labourer | 1 |
| Cooper | 1 |
| Farm Labourer | 1 |
| Hawker Of Fish | 1 |
| Taildress | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 80 people were recorded with the Mccanna surname. That placed it at #22,225 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 53 in 2016. That gives Mccanna a modern rank of #34,727.
An Irish surname derived from the Gaelic surname Mac Cana meaning "son of the fair one."
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Mccanna 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.