NameCensus.

UK surname

Mccredie

Scottish surname transferred from a place name meaning "red stream".

In the 1881 census there were 253 people recorded with the Mccredie surname, ranking it #10,980 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 268, ranked #16,003, down from #10,980 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Girvan, Govan Combination and Stranraer. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Stranraer West, Stroud and Hawick Central.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Mccredie is 440 in 1851. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 5.9%.

1881 census count

253

Ranked #10,980

Modern count

268

2016, ranked #16,003

Peak year

1851

440 bearers

Map years

8

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Mccredie had 253 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #10,980 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 268 in 2016, ranked #16,003.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 440 in 1851.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Legacy and Demographically Mixed Communities.

Mccredie surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Mccredie surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Mccredie 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 440 #5,586
1861 historical 315 #8,071
1881 historical 253 #10,980
1891 historical 299 #11,140
1901 historical 259 #12,848
1911 historical 39 #29,025
1997 modern 240 #15,678
1998 modern 256 #15,436
1999 modern 261 #15,353
2000 modern 268 #15,018
2001 modern 271 #14,691
2002 modern 273 #14,892
2003 modern 259 #15,254
2004 modern 262 #15,233
2005 modern 270 #14,822
2006 modern 261 #15,289
2007 modern 255 #15,687
2008 modern 265 #15,425
2009 modern 265 #15,756
2010 modern 283 #15,363
2011 modern 278 #15,390
2012 modern 282 #15,158
2013 modern 276 #15,683
2014 modern 280 #15,621
2015 modern 274 #15,749
2016 modern 268 #16,003

Geography

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Where Mccredies are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Girvan, Govan Combination, Stranraer, Inch and Glasgow. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Stranraer West, Stroud, Hawick Central, Stranraer South and Aylesbury Vale. 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 Girvan Ayr
2 Govan Combination Lanark
3 Stranraer Wigtown
4 Inch Wigtown
5 Glasgow Lanark

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Stranraer West Dumfries and Galloway
2 Stroud 012 Stroud
3 Hawick Central Scottish Borders
4 Stranraer South Dumfries and Galloway
5 Aylesbury Vale 023 Aylesbury Vale

Forenames

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First names often paired with Mccredie

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Mccredie

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

Central Connected Professionals and Managers

Group

City Support Workers

Within London, Mccredie is most associated with areas classed as City Support Workers, part of Central Connected Professionals and Managers. 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

Scattered throughout Inner London, these areas house relatively few workers in the most senior roles within organisations, and greater prevalence of administrative roles relative to the Supergroup mean. Residents are less likely to be of Chinese ethnicity and are more likely to have been born in Africa. Relative to the Supergroup average, residents are also more likely to live in social housing and live in overcrowded conditions.

Wider London pattern

Adult residents of these neighbourhoods are typically aged 25 to 44, working full-time in professional, managerial or associate professional occupations. There are few families with dependent children. The predominantly Inner London neighbourhoods have an international character, including many residents born elsewhere in Europe alongside high numbers of individuals identifying as of Chinese ethnicity. Many individuals are never married, childless and/or living alone. Above average numbers of individuals, likely to be full-time students, live in communal establishments. Elsewhere, privately rented flats are the dominant housing type. Residents of these areas are well-qualified, with a significant number holding Level 4 or above qualifications. There is a correspondingly high level of individuals employed full-time in professional, managerial and associated professional or technical occupations. Employing industries are financial, real estate, professional, administration, and, to a lesser degree, transport and communications. Unemployment is uncommon.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Mccredie is most concentrated in decile 3 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.

3
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Mccredie 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 Mccredie 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 - British

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

Meaning and origin of Mccredie

The surname McCredie has its origins in Scotland, where it first emerged in the late 16th century. The name is believed to be derived from the Gaelic words "mac" meaning "son of" and "crìdhe" meaning "heart" or "courage". This suggests that the name may have been given to someone known for their bravery or strength of character.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the parish records of Kilmarnock, Ayrshire, where a John McCredie was listed as a resident in 1612. The name also appears in the Hearth Tax Rolls of 1691 for the county of Lanarkshire, indicating its presence in that region during the 17th century.

In the late 17th century, a notable figure bearing the name was Robert McCredie, a merchant and burgess of Glasgow, who was born around 1650. His son, also named Robert McCredie, followed in his father's footsteps and became a successful merchant in the city.

A branch of the McCredie family can be traced to the village of Lochwinnoch in Renfrewshire, where a James McCredie was born in 1765. His descendants continued to reside in the area for several generations, with some members becoming prominent figures in the local community.

One such individual was John McCredie (1799-1876), a landowner and farmer who served as a Justice of the Peace for Renfrewshire. He was also a respected member of the Freemasons and held various positions within the local lodge.

Another notable bearer of the name was William McCredie (1832-1902), a Scottish-born railway engineer who emigrated to New Zealand in the late 19th century. He played a significant role in the development of the country's railway infrastructure and was responsible for the construction of several major rail lines.

While the McCredie name has remained relatively uncommon throughout history, it has been carried by individuals from various walks of life, including merchants, landowners, engineers, and members of the clergy. The name's Scottish roots and association with qualities such as courage and strength have contributed to its enduring legacy.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Mccredie families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Mccredie 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 9 Mccredies recorded in 1881 and an index of 6.49x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 9 6.49x
Cumberland 1 9.94x
Glamorgan 1 4.91x
Isle of Man 1 46.08x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Liverpool in Lancashire leads with 9 Mccredies recorded in 1881 and an index of 106.89x.

Place Total Index
Liverpool 9 106.89x
Cardiff St Mary 1 89.29x
Onchan 1 158.73x
Whitehaven 1 185.19x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Ann 2
Mary 2
Elizabeth 1
Jane 1
Margret 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 2
David 1
Richard 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 Mccredie households.

FAQ

Mccredie surname: questions and answers

How common was the Mccredie surname in 1881?

In 1881, 253 people were recorded with the Mccredie surname. That placed it at #10,980 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Mccredie surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 268 in 2016. That gives Mccredie a modern rank of #16,003.

What does the Mccredie surname mean?

Scottish surname transferred from a place name meaning "red stream".

What does the Mccredie map show?

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