NameCensus.

UK surname

Mccracken

A Scottish occupational surname referring to a maker of sturdy leather shoes or boots.

In the 1881 census there were 1,265 people recorded with the Mccracken surname, ranking it #3,222 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 2,622, ranked #2,541, up from #3,222 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to New Monkland, Govan Combination and Greenock. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include New Cumnock, Caldercruix and Plains and Copeland.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Mccracken is 2,705 in 2000. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 107.3%.

1881 census count

1,265

Ranked #3,222

Modern count

2,622

2016, ranked #2,541

Peak year

2000

2,705 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Mccracken had 1,265 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #3,222 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 2,622 in 2016, ranked #2,541.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1,680 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established but Challenged.

Mccracken surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Mccracken surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Mccracken 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 486 #5,133
1861 historical 576 #4,576
1881 historical 1,265 #3,222
1891 historical 1,351 #3,219
1901 historical 1,680 #3,070
1911 historical 610 #6,749
1997 modern 2,498 #2,516
1998 modern 2,604 #2,514
1999 modern 2,675 #2,481
2000 modern 2,705 #2,453
2001 modern 2,625 #2,469
2002 modern 2,675 #2,472
2003 modern 2,547 #2,527
2004 modern 2,552 #2,518
2005 modern 2,547 #2,505
2006 modern 2,528 #2,526
2007 modern 2,578 #2,494
2008 modern 2,587 #2,509
2009 modern 2,642 #2,516
2010 modern 2,698 #2,524
2011 modern 2,657 #2,530
2012 modern 2,550 #2,578
2013 modern 2,577 #2,594
2014 modern 2,628 #2,565
2015 modern 2,618 #2,552
2016 modern 2,622 #2,541

Geography

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Where Mccrackens are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around New Monkland, Govan Combination, Greenock, Glasgow and Liverpool. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to New Cumnock, Caldercruix and Plains, Copeland and Allerdale. 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 New Monkland Lanark
2 Govan Combination Lanark
3 Greenock Renfrew
4 Glasgow Lanark
5 Liverpool Lancashire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 New Cumnock East Ayrshire
2 Caldercruix and Plains North Lanarkshire
3 Copeland 005 Copeland
4 Allerdale 004 Allerdale
5 Allerdale 005 Allerdale

Forenames

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First names often paired with Mccracken

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Mccracken

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

Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce

Group

Established but Challenged

Nationally, the Mccracken surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Established but Challenged, within Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce. This does not mean every Mccracken household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many households in these neighbourhoods comprise separated or divorced single parents with dependent children. Residents are typically born in the UK, and these neighbourhoods have relatively few members of ethnic minorities. The prevalence of children, their parents and those at or above normal retirement age, suggests neighbourhood structures may be long-established. Levels of unpaid care are high, and long-term disability is more common than in the Supergroup as a whole. Use of the social rented sector is common, often in terraced houses. Levels of overcrowding are above the Supergroup average. Unemployment is high, while those in work are employed in elementary occupations such as caring, leisure and customer services. Many residents have low level qualifications. Neighbourhood concentrations of this Group are found in the South Wales Valleys, Belfast, Londonderry and the Central Lowlands of Scotland.

Wider pattern

Living in terraced or semi-detached houses, residents of these neighbourhoods typically lack high levels of education and work in elementary or routine service occupations. Unemployment is above average. Residents are predominantly born in the UK, and residents are also predominantly from ethnic minorities. Social (but not private sector) rented sector housing is common. This Supergroup is found throughout the UK’s conurbations and industrial regions but is also an integral part of smaller towns.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Mccracken 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

Mccracken 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

Mccracken falls in decile 1 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

1
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Mccracken 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 Mccracken, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Mccracken

The surname McCracken has its origins in Scotland, where it first appeared in the 15th century. The name is believed to be derived from the Gaelic words "mac" meaning "son" and "Crachadan," which is thought to be a personal name or derived from a place name.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name appears in the Register of the Great Seal of Scotland in 1493, where it is spelled "McCrachan." This suggests that the name may have originated in the area around Glasgow or the western lowlands of Scotland.

The McCracken surname is also associated with the Clan Gregor, one of the oldest and most powerful clans in the Scottish Highlands. It is believed that some members of the clan adopted the name McCracken as a variant or alias to avoid persecution during the time when the Clan Gregor was outlawed.

In the 16th century, the name appears in various records, including the Scottish Privy Council Records of 1581, which mention a "Johnne McCrachen." Another early record is the Exchequer Rolls of Scotland from 1591, which lists a "Thomas McCracken."

One of the earliest known McCrackens was Sir Robert McCracken (c. 1580-1645), a Scottish landowner and member of the Scottish Parliament. He was involved in the Scottish Reformation and supported the National Covenant of 1638.

During the 17th century, the name spread beyond Scotland as some McCrackens migrated to Ireland. One notable figure was Henry McCracken (1767-1798), an Irish Presbyterian and a leader of the Society of United Irishmen, who was executed for his role in the Irish Rebellion of 1798.

Another prominent McCracken was William McCracken (1804-1863), an Irish-born American businessman and politician who served as the 12th Mayor of New York City from 1857 to 1858.

In the 19th century, a branch of the McCracken family settled in Australia, with one of the earliest being James McCracken (1828-1888), a pioneer and settler in Victoria, Australia.

A more recent notable McCracken was James McCracken (1926-1988), an American operatic tenor who performed at the Metropolitan Opera and other major opera houses around the world.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Mccracken families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Mccracken 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. Lancashire leads with 29 Mccrackens recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.98x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 29 3.98x
Middlesex 9 1.46x
Ayrshire 8 17.40x
Cumberland 6 11.34x
Nottinghamshire 6 7.25x
Devon 1 0.78x
Hampshire 1 0.79x
Lincolnshire 1 1.02x
Royal Navy 1 13.66x
Surrey 1 0.33x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Kirkdale in Lancashire leads with 11 Mccrackens recorded in 1881 and an index of 89.72x.

Place Total Index
Kirkdale 11 89.72x
Walton On Hill 10 253.16x
Paddington London 7 30.99x
Chilwell 6 2727.27x
Dalmellington 6 444.44x
Workington 6 198.02x
West Derby 3 14.06x
Everton 2 8.61x
Liverpool 2 4.52x
Shadwell London 2 116.28x
St Quivox 2 129.03x
Aldershot 1 23.70x
Clapham 1 13.02x
Riseholme 1 10000.00x
Tavistock 1 68.49x
Toxteth Park 1 4.05x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 6
Catherine 2
Elizabeth 2
Margaret 2
Rose 2
A. 1
Ada 1
Adeline 1
Annie 1
E. 1
Ellen 1
Fanny 1
Minnie 1
Sarah 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 5
William 3
David 2
James 2
Patrick 2
Samuel 2
Thomas 2
Archibald 1
Arthur 1
Donald 1
Gilbert 1
Harold 1
Henry 1
Jos. 1
Joseph 1
Owen 1
Robert 1
Rowland 1
Wm. 1

FAQ

Mccracken surname: questions and answers

How common was the Mccracken surname in 1881?

In 1881, 1,265 people were recorded with the Mccracken surname. That placed it at #3,222 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Mccracken surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 2,622 in 2016. That gives Mccracken a modern rank of #2,541.

What does the Mccracken surname mean?

A Scottish occupational surname referring to a maker of sturdy leather shoes or boots.

What does the Mccracken map show?

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