NameCensus.

UK surname

Mccreary

An Irish surname derived from the Gaelic "Mac Ruidhrí," meaning "son of Ruaidhrí" (Rory), a personal name meaning "red king."

In the 1881 census there were 123 people recorded with the Mccreary surname, ranking it #17,506 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 150, ranked #23,724, down from #17,506 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Wigton, London parishes and Ribchester. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Sunderland, Wandsworth and Ceredigion.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Mccreary is 154 in 1999. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 22.0%.

1881 census count

123

Ranked #17,506

Modern count

150

2016, ranked #23,724

Peak year

1999

154 bearers

Map years

6

1881 to 2016

Key insights

  • Mccreary had 123 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #17,506 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 150 in 2016, ranked #23,724.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 141 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Young Families in Industrial Towns.

Mccreary surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Mccreary surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Mccreary 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 23 #29,205
1861 historical 50 #27,636
1881 historical 123 #17,506
1891 historical 104 #23,388
1901 historical 141 #18,718
1911 historical 77 #25,106
1997 modern 134 #22,608
1998 modern 147 #21,935
1999 modern 154 #21,455
2000 modern 137 #23,048
2001 modern 131 #23,343
2002 modern 135 #23,398
2003 modern 136 #23,045
2004 modern 132 #23,625
2005 modern 140 #22,774
2006 modern 132 #23,834
2007 modern 126 #24,860
2008 modern 131 #24,583
2009 modern 134 #24,711
2010 modern 141 #24,460
2011 modern 139 #24,507
2012 modern 145 #23,780
2013 modern 147 #23,977
2014 modern 147 #24,177
2015 modern 148 #23,934
2016 modern 150 #23,724

Geography

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Where Mccrearys are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Wigton, London parishes, Ribchester, St Paul Deptford, St Nicholas Deptford and St Giles Camberwell. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Sunderland, Wandsworth, Ceredigion and East Hertfordshire. 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 Wigton Cumberland
2 London parishes London 3
3 Ribchester Lancashire
4 St Paul Deptford, St Nicholas Deptford London (South Districts)
5 St Giles Camberwell London (South Districts)

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Sunderland 005 Sunderland
2 Sunderland 009 Sunderland
3 Wandsworth 025 Wandsworth
4 Ceredigion 009 Ceredigion
5 East Hertfordshire 014 East Hertfordshire

Forenames

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First names often paired with Mccreary

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Mccreary

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

Young Families in Industrial Towns

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

Read profile summary

Group profile

These neighbourhoods house predominantly young, UK-born individuals identifying with a White ethnic group with dependent children. Long-term disability and unpaid care are prevalent, and religious affiliations are uncommon. Housing is terraced or semi-detached and social rented sector housing is the norm. Unemployment is above the Supergroup average, and employment is principally in elementary occupations, as process plant and machine operatives, or in caring and leisure services. Educational attainment is low. The group is scattered throughout former industrial towns in the Midlands and the South Wales Valleys.

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, Mccreary 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

Mccreary is most concentrated in decile 10 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.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Mccreary falls in decile 4 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.

4
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Mccreary

The surname McCreary is of Scottish origin, originating from the region of Argyll in the western Highlands. It derives from the Gaelic "Mac Rìghreamhair," meaning "son of the grey-browed man" or "son of the fortunate one." This name likely originated as a descriptive surname, referring to an ancestor's physical attributes or personality.

The McCreary name can be traced back to the 13th century, with records showing the family's presence in the Argyll region during this time. One of the earliest documented references to the name is found in the Ragman Rolls of 1296, which recorded those who swore fealty to King Edward I of England. The name appeared as "McRyrewar."

In the 16th century, various spellings of the name emerged, including McCreary, McCreray, and McCreerie. These variations reflect the fluidity of surname spellings during this period, as they were often recorded phonetically by scribes.

The McCreary family played a significant role in the Clan Campbell, one of the most powerful clans in the Highlands. In the 17th century, John McCreary, born in 1620, was a notable member of the clan and served as a trusted advisor to the chief.

Another notable bearer of the name was Robert McCreary, born in 1675, who was a respected minister in the Church of Scotland. He was known for his powerful sermons and influential writings on religious matters.

In the 18th century, the McCreary name spread beyond Scotland as some family members immigrated to North America. One such individual was James McCreary, born in 1745, who settled in Virginia and became a prosperous farmer.

During the 19th century, the McCreary name gained prominence in both Scotland and North America. William McCreary, born in 1820 in Argyll, was a successful merchant and philanthropist who played a significant role in the development of Glasgow.

In the United States, John McCreary, born in 1835 in Pennsylvania, was a prominent politician who served as the 26th governor of Kentucky from 1875 to 1879.

McCreary has remained a respected surname throughout history, with bearers of the name contributing to various fields, including politics, religion, business, and the arts. Its Scottish roots and rich heritage continue to be a source of pride for those who carry the McCreary name.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Mccreary families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Mccreary 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 5 Mccrearys recorded in 1881 and an index of 18.79x.

County Total Index
Kent 5 18.79x
Cheshire 2 11.61x
Middlesex 1 1.28x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Deptford St Paul in Kent leads with 5 Mccrearys recorded in 1881 and an index of 243.90x.

Place Total Index
Deptford St Paul 5 243.90x
Hyde 2 392.16x
Stoke Newington London 1 163.93x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Ellen 1
Frances 1
Hannah 1
Mary 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
Alfred 1
Edward 1
Lawson 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 Mccreary households.

FAQ

Mccreary surname: questions and answers

How common was the Mccreary surname in 1881?

In 1881, 123 people were recorded with the Mccreary surname. That placed it at #17,506 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Mccreary surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 150 in 2016. That gives Mccreary a modern rank of #23,724.

What does the Mccreary surname mean?

An Irish surname derived from the Gaelic "Mac Ruidhrí," meaning "son of Ruaidhrí" (Rory), a personal name meaning "red king."

What does the Mccreary map show?

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