NameCensus.

UK surname

Mccrossan

A Scottish surname derived from the Gaelic "Mac Crossan" meaning "son of the cross-bearer."

In the 1881 census there were 100 people recorded with the Mccrossan surname, ranking it #19,750 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 679, ranked #7,896, up from #19,750 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Govan Combination, Glasgow and Cambuslang. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Kirkcudbright, Wishaw East and IZ05.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Mccrossan is 711 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 579.0%.

1881 census count

100

Ranked #19,750

Modern count

679

2016, ranked #7,896

Peak year

2010

711 bearers

Map years

6

1881 to 2016

Key insights

  • Mccrossan had 100 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #19,750 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 679 in 2016, ranked #7,896.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 255 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established but Challenged.

Mccrossan surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Mccrossan surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Mccrossan 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 17 #30,267
1861 historical 42 #28,691
1881 historical 100 #19,750
1891 historical 163 #17,300
1901 historical 255 #12,965
1911 historical 56 #27,216
1997 modern 622 #7,948
1998 modern 657 #7,842
1999 modern 670 #7,761
2000 modern 660 #7,847
2001 modern 639 #7,896
2002 modern 654 #7,907
2003 modern 639 #7,921
2004 modern 637 #7,953
2005 modern 640 #7,855
2006 modern 634 #7,958
2007 modern 645 #7,914
2008 modern 661 #7,805
2009 modern 683 #7,791
2010 modern 711 #7,692
2011 modern 684 #7,832
2012 modern 680 #7,794
2013 modern 690 #7,817
2014 modern 699 #7,777
2015 modern 694 #7,769
2016 modern 679 #7,896

Geography

Back to top

Where Mccrossans are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Govan Combination, Glasgow, Cambuslang, Paisley Abbey and Carluke. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Kirkcudbright, Wishaw East, IZ05, Muirhouse and IZ03. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 Govan Combination Lanark
2 Glasgow Lanark
3 Cambuslang Lanark
4 Paisley Abbey Renfrew
5 Carluke Lanark

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Kirkcudbright Dumfries and Galloway
2 Wishaw East North Lanarkshire
3 IZ05 West Dunbartonshire
4 Muirhouse North Lanarkshire
5 IZ03 West Dunbartonshire

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Mccrossan

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

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for Mccrossan

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

Suburban Asian Communities

Group

Settled Semi-Detached Asians

Within London, Mccrossan is most associated with areas classed as Settled Semi-Detached Asians, part of Suburban Asian Communities. 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 residents share Supergroup characteristics of large (non-Chinese) Asian populations but those identifying as Bangladeshi are notably absent. Many residents were born in the UK, while other more recent migrants have African birthplaces. Semi-detached housing, much of it owner occupied, prevails in these suburban residential locations.

Wider London pattern

Many residents of these neighbourhoods are of (non-Chinese) Asian descent, with many identifying as Indian, Pakistani or Bangladeshi. Neighbourhoods are located across large areas of suburban west, north-east and south London. Detached, semi-detached and terraced houses are more prevalent than flats and socially rented housing is uncommon. Few residents live in communal establishments. Many families have dependent children, sometimes in overcrowded accommodation, and few households are ethnically mixed. Marriage rates are above the London average. The even age distribution, relative absence of individuals living alone and frequent incidence of households with children suggests that multi-generation households may be relatively common. Employment is often in skilled trades, elementary, sales and customer service occupations, and roles as process, plant, and machine operatives. Manufacturing and construction are well represented, along with employment in distribution, hotels, and restaurants. Many adults have only level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. English is not used at home by some residents. Religious affiliation is above average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Mccrossan 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

Mccrossan falls in decile 2 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.

2
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Mccrossan

The surname McCrossan is of Scottish origin, with roots dating back to the 12th century. It is derived from the Gaelic word "crosán," meaning "little cross." This suggests that the name may have been initially given to someone who lived near a crossroads or a prominent cross landmark.

The earliest recorded instances of the McCrossan name can be found in the Scottish Lowlands, particularly in the regions of Ayrshire and Renfrewshire. Historical records indicate that the name was often spelled as "MacCrossane" or "MacCrossan" in its early days.

One notable historical reference to the McCrossan name is found in the Exchequer Rolls of Scotland from the late 13th century, which mention a "John MacCrossane" who held lands in Ayrshire. This document provides evidence of the name's existence and its association with land ownership during that time period.

In the 16th century, the McCrossan name appeared in the records of the Burgh of Ayr, where a "Robert McCrossan" was listed as a burgess (a prominent citizen) of the town in the year 1560. This suggests that the McCrossans had established themselves as a notable family in the region by that time.

Another notable figure in the history of the McCrossan name is Patrick McCrossan (1731-1804), an Irish Presbyterian minister and author who was born in County Antrim, Ireland. He wrote several religious works and served as a minister in various congregations in Ireland and Scotland.

Other notable individuals with the McCrossan surname include:

1. James McCrossan (1829-1885), a Scottish-born Australian politician who served as a member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly. 2. William McCrossan (1842-1909), an Australian businessman and politician who served as a member of the New South Wales Legislative Council. 3. Robert McCrossan (1854-1937), an Irish-born Australian politician who served as a member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly. 4. John McCrossan (1872-1955), an Irish-born Australian politician who served as a member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly. 5. James McCrossan (1894-1968), a Scottish-born Australian politician who served as a member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly.

While the McCrossan name has its roots in Scotland, it has since spread to various parts of the world, particularly through migration and the establishment of new communities by Scottish settlers.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

Back to top

Mccrossan families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Mccrossan 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. Renfrewshire leads with 3 Mccrossans recorded in 1881 and an index of 132.74x.

County Total Index
Renfrewshire 3 132.74x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Port Glasgow in Renfrewshire leads with 3 Mccrossans recorded in 1881 and an index of 2727.27x.

Place Total Index
Port Glasgow 3 2727.27x

FAQ

Mccrossan surname: questions and answers

How common was the Mccrossan surname in 1881?

In 1881, 100 people were recorded with the Mccrossan surname. That placed it at #19,750 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Mccrossan surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 679 in 2016. That gives Mccrossan a modern rank of #7,896.

What does the Mccrossan surname mean?

A Scottish surname derived from the Gaelic "Mac Crossan" meaning "son of the cross-bearer."

What does the Mccrossan map show?

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