NameCensus.

UK surname

Mccreight

An Irish surname derived from the Gaelic "Mac Riada" meaning son of the grizzled one.

In the 1881 census there were 39 people recorded with the Mccreight surname, ranking it #28,137 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 150, ranked #23,724, up from #28,137 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Broxburn Kirkhill, Paisley Foxbar and Central Bedfordshire.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Mccreight is 150 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 284.6%.

1881 census count

39

Ranked #28,137

Modern count

150

2016, ranked #23,724

Peak year

2016

150 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Mccreight had 39 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #28,137 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 39 in 1881.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established but Challenged.

Mccreight surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Mccreight surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Mccreight 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 20 #29,743
1861 historical 9 #32,724
1881 historical 39 #28,137
1891 historical 24 #32,320
1901 historical 36 #30,099
1911 historical 22 #31,030
1997 modern 119 #24,302
1998 modern 129 #23,722
1999 modern 128 #24,017
2000 modern 119 #25,072
2001 modern 119 #24,733
2002 modern 128 #24,150
2003 modern 131 #23,553
2004 modern 137 #23,098
2005 modern 149 #21,866
2006 modern 148 #22,111
2007 modern 144 #22,804
2008 modern 140 #23,511
2009 modern 137 #24,371
2010 modern 136 #25,009
2011 modern 134 #25,050
2012 modern 134 #25,059
2013 modern 146 #24,107
2014 modern 147 #24,177
2015 modern 146 #24,148
2016 modern 150 #23,724

Geography

Back to top

Where Mccreights 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 Broxburn Kirkhill, Paisley Foxbar, Central Bedfordshire, Penicuik Southeast and Bishopton. 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 Broxburn Kirkhill West Lothian
2 Paisley Foxbar Renfrewshire
3 Central Bedfordshire 007 Central Bedfordshire
4 Penicuik Southeast Midlothian
5 Bishopton Renfrewshire

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Mccreight

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

Historical female names

No Forenames Found

Historical male names

No Forenames Found

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for Mccreight

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Mccreight, 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 Mccreight surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Established but Challenged, within Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce. This does not mean every Mccreight 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

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

Professional Periphery

Within London, Mccreight 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

Mccreight 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

Mccreight 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 Mccreight 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 Mccreight, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Mccreight

The surname McCreight has its origins in Scotland, with the earliest records dating back to the 13th century. It is derived from the Gaelic words "mac" meaning "son of" and "craith" meaning "tree". This suggests that the name may have been given to someone who lived near a notable or significant tree.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Ragman Rolls of 1296, which were a series of homage rolls submitted to King Edward I of England during his invasion of Scotland. The name appears as "McCreych" in these rolls, indicating its Scottish roots.

Throughout the Middle Ages, the name underwent various spelling variations, including McCraith, McCreyth, and McCreight. These variations reflect the fluidity of spelling conventions during that time period, as well as the regional dialects of different areas of Scotland.

The surname McCreight was particularly prevalent in the Scottish Highlands, where it was closely associated with several notable families and clan groups. One prominent figure was Sir William McCreight (1540-1615), a Scottish nobleman and military leader who fought in the Anglo-Scottish Wars of the 16th century.

Another notable bearer of the name was John McCreight (1768-1832), a Scottish-born farmer and entrepreneur who emigrated to Canada in the early 19th century. He became a prominent figure in the settlement of Upper Canada (now Ontario) and was instrumental in the development of the agricultural industry in that region.

In the literary world, the surname McCreight is associated with the Scottish poet and author, James McCreight (1835-1906). He was a prolific writer of poetry and short stories, many of which drew inspiration from his Highland roots and the rich cultural heritage of Scotland.

The McCreight name also appears in various historical records and documents throughout Scotland, such as the Exchequer Rolls, which were financial records kept by the Scottish government. These records provide insights into the economic activities and landholdings of individuals with the McCreight surname during the medieval and early modern periods.

As the McCreight family spread throughout Scotland and beyond, the name became associated with various locations and place names. For example, the village of McCreight in Ayrshire, Scotland, likely derived its name from a prominent McCreight family that resided in the area.

Overall, the surname McCreight has a rich and diverse history, deeply rooted in the cultural and linguistic heritage of Scotland. Its origins and evolution reflect the complex tapestry of Scottish society, from its ancient Gaelic roots to its role in shaping the development of modern-day communities across the globe.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

Back to top

Mccreight families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Mccreight 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 Mccreights recorded in 1881 and an index of 30.17x.

County Total Index
Kent 4 30.17x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Charlton Next Woolwich in Kent leads with 4 Mccreights recorded in 1881 and an index of 2857.14x.

Place Total Index
Charlton Next Woolwich 4 2857.14x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Charlotte 1
Margaret 1
Margarette 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
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 Mccreight households.

FAQ

Mccreight surname: questions and answers

How common was the Mccreight surname in 1881?

In 1881, 39 people were recorded with the Mccreight surname. That placed it at #28,137 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Mccreight surname today?

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

What does the Mccreight surname mean?

An Irish surname derived from the Gaelic "Mac Riada" meaning son of the grizzled one.

What does the Mccreight map show?

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