NameCensus.

UK surname

Mceachern

A Scottish surname derived from the Gaelic "Mac Eachairn," meaning "son of Eachairn," a personal name of unknown meaning.

In the 1881 census there were 238 people recorded with the Mceachern surname, ranking it #11,476 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 118, ranked #27,873, down from #11,476 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Govan Combination, Kilfinichen and Iona and Tiree and Coll. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Whisky Isles, Arran and Knapdale.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Mceachern is 539 in 1851. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 50.4%.

1881 census count

238

Ranked #11,476

Modern count

118

2016, ranked #27,873

Peak year

1851

539 bearers

Map years

8

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Mceachern had 238 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #11,476 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 118 in 2016, ranked #27,873.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 539 in 1851.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Mceachern surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Mceachern surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Mceachern 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 539 #4,676
1861 historical 493 #5,294
1881 historical 238 #11,476
1891 historical 259 #12,399
1901 historical 234 #13,705
1911 historical 29 #30,190
1997 modern 88 #28,611
1998 modern 106 #26,689
1999 modern 100 #27,757
2000 modern 98 #27,988
2001 modern 95 #28,101
2002 modern 96 #28,534
2003 modern 102 #27,383
2004 modern 104 #27,338
2005 modern 109 #26,583
2006 modern 109 #26,872
2007 modern 113 #26,641
2008 modern 115 #26,635
2009 modern 119 #26,637
2010 modern 121 #27,005
2011 modern 124 #26,367
2012 modern 112 #28,174
2013 modern 121 #27,255
2014 modern 122 #27,358
2015 modern 120 #27,561
2016 modern 118 #27,873

Geography

Back to top

Where Mceacherns are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Govan Combination, Kilfinichen and Iona, Tiree and Coll, Killarow and Kilmeny and Glasgow. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Whisky Isles, Arran, Knapdale, Enfield and Trafford. 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 Govan Combination Lanark
2 Kilfinichen and Iona Argyll
3 Tiree and Coll Argyll
4 Killarow and Kilmeny Argyll
5 Glasgow Lanark

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Whisky Isles Argyll and Bute
2 Arran North Ayrshire
3 Knapdale Argyll and Bute
4 Enfield 032 Enfield
5 Trafford 014 Trafford

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Mceachern

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

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for Mceachern

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

Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities

Group

Rural Amenity

Nationally, the Mceachern surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Mceachern household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

This Group comprises older parents or retirees, with no resident dependent children, and with the lowest residential densities in this Supergroup. Predominantly UK-born, residents typically live in detached houses, although others do live in semi-detached and terraced properties. The level of multiple car ownership is the highest in this Supergroup. Most houses are owner occupied although social renting is also present. Many concentrations occur in high amenity rural locations, such as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Wider pattern

Pervasive throughout the UK, members of this Supergroup typically own (or are buying) their detached, semi-detached or terraced homes. They are also typically educated to A Level/Highers or degree level and work in skilled or professional occupations. Typically born in the UK, some families have children, although the median adult age is above 45 and some property has become under-occupied after children have left home. This Supergroup is pervasive not only in suburban locations, but also in neighbourhoods at or beyond the edge of cities that adjoin rural parts of the country.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Mceachern 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

Mceachern is most concentrated in decile 7 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname near the middle of the scale.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

7
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Mceachern falls in decile 6 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.

6
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Mceachern is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 25-30 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

5
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Mceachern

The surname McEachern has its origins in Scotland, with the name emerging in the 16th century. It is derived from the Gaelic words 'mac' meaning 'son of' and 'Eachuirn', which is a personal name derived from an old Gaelic word meaning 'horse lover' or 'horse breeder'.

The earliest recorded spelling of the name is found in the Scottish parish records of Argyllshire, where one Archibald McEachern was listed as a tenant farmer in 1582. The name was most prevalent in the western Scottish Highlands, particularly in Argyll and the Hebrides islands.

In the 17th century, the McEachern name appears in various historical documents related to clan disputes and battles in the Highlands. One notable reference is to a John McEachern, who was recorded as a skilled archer in the service of the Clan Campbell during the Battle of Inverlochy in 1645.

The earliest known emigrant with the McEachern surname was Donald McEachern, who arrived in Virginia from Scotland in 1714. He later settled in North Carolina, where he established a successful farming community.

Notable individuals with the McEachern surname include:

1. Archibald McEachern (1760-1842), a Scottish-born farmer and entrepreneur who established one of the first successful commercial orchards in Upper Canada (now Ontario).

2. James McEachern (1823-1902), a Canadian politician and businessman who served as a member of the Canadian House of Commons.

3. Alexander McEachern (1867-1945), a Scottish-born Canadian businessman and philanthropist who made significant contributions to the development of Vancouver, British Columbia.

4. Angus McEachern (1892-1964), a Canadian author and educator known for his works on Scottish Gaelic culture and language.

5. Neil McEachern (1942-2018), a Canadian academic and author who specialized in the study of Scottish Gaelic literature and history.

While the McEachern name has evolved over time, with variations such as McEachran and McEachan, it remains a proud reminder of its Scottish heritage and the rich cultural traditions of the Highlands.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Mceachern surname: questions and answers

How common was the Mceachern surname in 1881?

In 1881, 238 people were recorded with the Mceachern surname. That placed it at #11,476 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Mceachern surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 118 in 2016. That gives Mceachern a modern rank of #27,873.

What does the Mceachern surname mean?

A Scottish surname derived from the Gaelic "Mac Eachairn," meaning "son of Eachairn," a personal name of unknown meaning.

What does the Mceachern map show?

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