UK surname
Scottish surname derived from Gaelic words meaning 'son of the horsebreeder'.
In the 1881 census there were 123 people recorded with the Mceachen surname, ranking it #17,506 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 65, ranked #34,017, down from #17,506 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Lismore and Appin, Arisaig and Moidart and Glenelg. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Mceachen is 274 in 1851. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 47.2%.
1881 census count
123
Ranked #17,506
Modern count
65
2016, ranked #34,017
Peak year
1851
274 bearers
Map years
5
1851 to 1901
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Mceachen surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Mceachen surname density by area, 1881 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe 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 | 274 | #8,176 |
| 1861 | historical | 104 | #20,477 |
| 1881 | historical | 123 | #17,506 |
| 1891 | historical | 185 | #15,803 |
| 1901 | historical | 249 | #13,172 |
| 1911 | historical | 6 | #33,255 |
| 1997 | modern | 64 | #31,233 |
| 1998 | modern | 66 | #31,387 |
| 1999 | modern | 65 | #31,605 |
| 2000 | modern | 65 | #31,641 |
| 2001 | modern | 60 | #31,985 |
| 2002 | modern | 58 | #32,564 |
| 2003 | modern | 62 | #32,258 |
| 2004 | modern | 66 | #32,079 |
| 2005 | modern | 66 | #32,303 |
| 2006 | modern | 61 | #33,142 |
| 2007 | modern | 65 | #33,045 |
| 2008 | modern | 67 | #33,135 |
| 2009 | modern | 64 | #33,675 |
| 2010 | modern | 66 | #33,791 |
| 2011 | modern | 67 | #33,704 |
| 2012 | modern | 68 | #33,763 |
| 2013 | modern | 71 | #33,693 |
| 2014 | modern | 68 | #33,898 |
| 2015 | modern | 63 | #34,178 |
| 2016 | modern | 65 | #34,017 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Lismore and Appin, Arisaig and Moidart, Glenelg, Ardnamurchan and South Uist. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lismore and Appin | Argyll |
| 2 | Arisaig and Moidart | Inverness |
| 3 | Glenelg | Inverness |
| 4 | Ardnamurchan | Argyll |
| 5 | South Uist | Inverness |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Mceachen surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Mceachen, 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
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Mceachen surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Mceachen household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Mceachen is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Mceachen is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Mceachen, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname MCEACHEN originates from Scotland, emerging in the late 16th century. It is believed to be derived from the Gaelic Maciathaich, meaning "son of the warrior" or "son of the descendant of Iain." The name was predominantly found in the Highlands and Islands regions of Scotland.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the MCEACHEN surname can be found in the Ragman Rolls of 1296, a series of historical documents containing the names of Scottish landowners who swore fealty to King Edward I of England. The name is spelled as "McEachern" in these rolls.
In the 17th century, the MCEACHEN name appears in various parish records across Scotland, particularly in the regions of Argyll and the Hebrides. During this time, alternative spellings such as "McEachan," "McEachen," and "McEachran" were also used.
One notable figure with the MCEACHEN surname was John McEachen (1668-1743), a Scottish minister and theologian. He served as the minister of the parish of Kilchrenan in Argyllshire and was known for his writings on Calvinist theology.
In the 18th century, the MCEACHEN name spread to other parts of the British Isles, including Ireland and England. One prominent individual was Donald McEachen (1738-1811), a Scottish-born merchant and landowner who settled in County Antrim, Ireland.
As the 19th century dawned, the surname MCEACHEN continued to be found in various records and documents throughout Scotland and other parts of the United Kingdom. William McEachen (1812-1887), a Scottish-born farmer and landowner, was a notable figure during this period, residing in the village of Lochgair in Argyllshire.
Another individual of note was Archibald McEachen (1856-1924), a Scottish-born author and journalist who emigrated to the United States in the late 19th century. He worked as a writer for several publications in New York City and published several books on Scottish history and culture.
While the MCEACHEN surname has its roots in Scotland, it has since spread to various parts of the world due to migration and immigration. The name continues to be found in various spellings, reflecting its rich history and origins.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Mceachen surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Durham leads with 6 Mceachens recorded in 1881 and an index of 25.85x.
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Heworth in Durham leads with 6 Mceachens recorded in 1881 and an index of 1304.35x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Heworth | 6 | 1304.35x |
| Bilton Cum Harrogate | 1 | 384.62x |
| Croydon | 1 | 47.39x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Mceachen surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Mceachen surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
| Name | Count |
|---|---|
| John | 2 |
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 Mceachen households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Confectioner | 1 |
| Confectioner Wife | 1 |
| Domestic Servant | 1 |
| Refreshment Att (Inn Servt) | 1 |
| Scholar | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 123 people were recorded with the Mceachen surname. That placed it at #17,506 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 65 in 2016. That gives Mceachen a modern rank of #34,017.
Scottish surname derived from Gaelic words meaning 'son of the horsebreeder'.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Mceachen bearers relative to the surrounding population.
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.