NameCensus.

UK surname

Mccarry

An Anglicized form of the Gaelic name Mac Cearraigh, meaning son of Cearrach, a fierce or stormy person.

In the 1881 census there were 12 people recorded with the Mccarry surname, ranking it #31,914 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 340, ranked #13,456, up from #31,914 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include IZ15, Shawlands East and IZ14.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Mccarry is 340 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 2733.3%.

1881 census count

12

Ranked #31,914

Modern count

340

2016, ranked #13,456

Peak year

2016

340 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Mccarry had 12 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #31,914 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 340 in 2016, ranked #13,456.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 92 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Legacy and Demographically Mixed Communities.

Mccarry surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Mccarry surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Mccarry 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 32 #27,570
1861 historical 31 #30,058
1881 historical 12 #31,914
1891 historical 55 #29,744
1901 historical 92 #23,800
1911 historical 22 #31,030
1997 modern 252 #15,193
1998 modern 266 #15,053
1999 modern 256 #15,557
2000 modern 261 #15,314
2001 modern 261 #15,066
2002 modern 288 #14,373
2003 modern 284 #14,331
2004 modern 292 #14,109
2005 modern 298 #13,895
2006 modern 292 #14,148
2007 modern 299 #14,077
2008 modern 304 #14,000
2009 modern 310 #14,113
2010 modern 308 #14,452
2011 modern 318 #14,023
2012 modern 306 #14,327
2013 modern 317 #14,186
2014 modern 336 #13,692
2015 modern 337 #13,560
2016 modern 340 #13,456

Geography

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Where Mccarrys 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 IZ15, Shawlands East, IZ14, Copeland and North Warwickshire. 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 IZ15 West Dunbartonshire
2 Shawlands East Glasgow City
3 IZ14 West Dunbartonshire
4 Copeland 002 Copeland
5 North Warwickshire 006 North Warwickshire

Forenames

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First names often paired with Mccarry

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Mccarry

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Mccarry, 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 Mccarry surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Legacy and Demographically Mixed Communities, within Legacy Communities. This does not mean every Mccarry 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

The Greater London Mix

Group

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Mccarry is most associated with areas classed as Skilled Trades and Construction 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.

Read profile summary

Group profile

These scattered, peripheral and often low residential density neighbourhoods house more workers in skilled trades and construction. Few households rent social housing and there are few students. Multiple car ownership is higher than the Supergroup average, perhaps because of poorer public transport connectivity. Incidence of mixed or multiple ethnicity is below the Supergroup average, and the absence of individuals identifying as Pakistani or Other Asian groups is also less pronounced. Flatted accommodation is less dominant than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

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

Mccarry 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

Mccarry falls in decile 5 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.

5
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Mccarry is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of Over 70 mbit/s.

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

10
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Mccarry

The surname MCCARRY has its origins in Ireland, where it first emerged in the late 12th century. The name is derived from the Gaelic words 'mac', meaning 'son of', and 'Cearraigh', which was a personal name meaning 'speckled' or 'freckled'.

The MCCARRY family were initially based in the ancient territory of Oriel, which covered parts of modern-day counties Armagh, Monaghan, and Louth. Some of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Annals of Ulster, a chronicle of medieval Irish history.

In the 16th century, during the Plantation of Ulster, many MCCARRY families were displaced from their ancestral lands and scattered across Ireland. As a result, the name can now be found throughout the island, with concentrations in counties Louth, Monaghan, and Tyrone.

One notable bearer of the name was Sir Donnell MCCARRY, who was appointed Governor of Carrickfergus in 1566. He played a significant role in the Tudor conquest of Ireland and was granted lands in County Antrim for his services.

Another prominent MCCARRY was Roderick MCCARRY, a Catholic priest who lived in the late 17th century. He was imprisoned and later exiled to France for his religious beliefs during the Penal Laws.

In the 18th century, James MCCARRY (1724-1789) was a successful merchant and landowner in County Louth. His descendants continued to play a prominent role in the region's affairs for several generations.

During the Irish Rebellion of 1798, a rebel leader named Patrick MCCARRY (1772-1798) was active in County Monaghan. He was eventually captured and executed for his involvement in the uprising.

In the 19th century, John MCCARRY (1819-1892) was a prominent Irish nationalist and journalist. He founded the influential newspaper The Nation and was a vocal advocate for Irish independence.

These are just a few examples of notable individuals who have borne the surname MCCARRY throughout history. While the name has evolved in spelling and pronunciation over the centuries, it remains firmly rooted in its Irish heritage.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Mccarry families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Mccarry 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 4 Mccarrys recorded in 1881 and an index of 15.03x.

County Total Index
Kent 4 15.03x
Lancashire 3 3.24x
Cheshire 1 5.81x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Woolwich in Kent leads with 4 Mccarrys recorded in 1881 and an index of 408.16x.

Place Total Index
Woolwich 4 408.16x
Liverpool 2 35.59x
Congleton 1 333.33x
Parbold 1 10000.00x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Elizabeth 1
Matilda 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
Bernard 2
Domick 1
James 1
John 1
William 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 Mccarry households.

FAQ

Mccarry surname: questions and answers

How common was the Mccarry surname in 1881?

In 1881, 12 people were recorded with the Mccarry surname. That placed it at #31,914 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Mccarry surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 340 in 2016. That gives Mccarry a modern rank of #13,456.

What does the Mccarry surname mean?

An Anglicized form of the Gaelic name Mac Cearraigh, meaning son of Cearrach, a fierce or stormy person.

What does the Mccarry map show?

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