NameCensus.

UK surname

Mccawley

Son of a brewer or ale-maker from an Irish place name.

In the 1881 census there were 168 people recorded with the Mccawley surname, ranking it #14,380 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 131, ranked #26,004, down from #14,380 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Winwick, Manchester and Featherstone. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Huntingdonshire, IZ21 and South Somerset.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Mccawley is 215 in 1901. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 22.0%.

1881 census count

168

Ranked #14,380

Modern count

131

2016, ranked #26,004

Peak year

1901

215 bearers

Map years

6

1881 to 2016

Key insights

  • Mccawley had 168 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #14,380 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 131 in 2016, ranked #26,004.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 215 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Mccawley surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Mccawley surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Mccawley 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 99 #17,294
1861 historical 93 #22,009
1881 historical 168 #14,380
1891 historical 182 #15,983
1901 historical 215 #14,478
1911 historical 99 #22,850
1997 modern 135 #22,499
1998 modern 131 #23,495
1999 modern 146 #22,202
2000 modern 133 #23,462
2001 modern 133 #23,132
2002 modern 126 #24,393
2003 modern 117 #25,282
2004 modern 116 #25,580
2005 modern 114 #25,837
2006 modern 124 #24,750
2007 modern 128 #24,632
2008 modern 129 #24,790
2009 modern 139 #24,161
2010 modern 139 #24,688
2011 modern 133 #25,177
2012 modern 124 #26,432
2013 modern 131 #25,932
2014 modern 128 #26,490
2015 modern 127 #26,494
2016 modern 131 #26,004

Geography

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Where Mccawleys are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Winwick, Manchester, Featherstone, Wakefield and Liverpool. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Huntingdonshire, IZ21, South Somerset, Merrylee and Millbrae 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 Winwick Lancashire
2 Manchester Lancashire
3 Featherstone Yorkshire, West Riding
4 Wakefield Yorkshire, West Riding
5 Liverpool Lancashire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Huntingdonshire 017 Huntingdonshire
2 IZ21 East Lothian
3 South Somerset 017 South Somerset
4 Merrylee and Millbrae Glasgow City
5 Bexley 027 Bexley

Forenames

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First names often paired with Mccawley

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Mccawley

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Mccawley, 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 Mccawley surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Mccawley 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

Professional Periphery

Within London, Mccawley is most associated with areas classed as Professional Periphery, 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

These neighbourhoods predominantly house residents aged 45+, with many aged 85+. Most employed residents work in senior roles, and relatively few work in unskilled jobs. Terraced housing is comparatively rare, but communal living is more common. More residents identify as of Indian ethnicity and more affiliate with non-Christian religions. Disability levels are below the Supergroup average.

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

Mccawley is most concentrated in decile 9 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.

9
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Mccawley falls in decile 9 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.

9
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Mccawley is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 30-40 mbit/s.

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

6
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - Irish

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

Meaning and origin of Mccawley

The surname MCCAWLEY is of Irish origin, traced back to the ancient Gaelic word 'Cathmaoil', meaning 'son of the battle chief'. It is believed to have first emerged in County Donegal, Ireland, during the 12th century.

The name is derived from the prefix 'Mac', meaning 'son of', and the personal name 'Cathmaoil'. Over time, it evolved into various spellings such as MCCAWLEY, MCCAWLLEY, and MACCAULEY. The earliest recorded mention of the name MCCAWLEY can be found in the Annals of Ulster, a chronicle compiled by Irish monks in the late 15th century.

In the 16th century, the MCCAWLEY family held lands in County Tyrone, near the town of Strabane. The name appears in the Fiants of the Tudor Sovereigns, legal records from the reigns of Henry VIII, Edward VI, and Elizabeth I, indicating their prominence in the region.

One of the earliest notable figures with the surname was Sir John MCCAWLEY (1568-1634), an Irish lawyer and judge who served as Chief Baron of the Exchequer in Ireland. He was born in Lifford, County Donegal, and played a significant role in the administration of justice during the tumultuous years of the Plantation of Ulster.

In the 17th century, the MCCAWLEY family branched out to other parts of Ireland, with several members settling in County Cavan. Thomas MCCAWLEY (1632-1701), a landowner and military officer, fought in the Williamite War in Ireland and was granted lands in Cavan for his service.

Another prominent figure was Michael MCCAWLEY (1720-1789), a wealthy merchant and landowner from County Tyrone. He was influential in the Irish linen trade and left a significant legacy, with several buildings and streets in Strabane named after him.

During the 19th century, many MCCAWLEY families emigrated from Ireland to countries like the United States, Canada, and Australia, seeking better opportunities and escaping the Great Famine. One notable emigrant was John MCCAWLEY (1801-1872), who settled in New York and became a successful businessman and philanthropist.

Throughout history, the MCCAWLEY surname has been associated with various notable figures, including writers, artists, and academics. One such individual was Charles Andrews MCCAWLEY (1875-1939), a British novelist and playwright known for his works set in the south of England.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Mccawley families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Mccawley 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. Yorkshire leads with 13 Mccawleys recorded in 1881 and an index of 4.98x.

County Total Index
Yorkshire 13 4.98x
Devon 7 12.78x
Lancashire 7 2.24x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Whitwood in Yorkshire leads with 11 Mccawleys recorded in 1881 and an index of 2972.97x.

Place Total Index
Whitwood 11 2972.97x
Plymouth St Andrew 7 165.88x
Toxteth Park 3 28.36x
Newton In Makerfield 2 208.33x
Tanshelf 2 952.38x
Heaton Norris 1 56.18x
Kirkdale 1 19.05x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 3
Anne 2
Elizabeth 2
Ellen 2
Catherine 1
Eliza 1
Johanna 1
Martha 1
Polly 1
Sarah 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 3
James 2
Andrew 1
Bartholomew 1
Edward 1
Joseph 1
Richard 1
Thomas 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 Mccawley households.

FAQ

Mccawley surname: questions and answers

How common was the Mccawley surname in 1881?

In 1881, 168 people were recorded with the Mccawley surname. That placed it at #14,380 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Mccawley surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 131 in 2016. That gives Mccawley a modern rank of #26,004.

What does the Mccawley surname mean?

Son of a brewer or ale-maker from an Irish place name.

What does the Mccawley map show?

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