UK surname
A Scottish surname meaning "son of Eachan", a diminutive form of Hector.
In the 1881 census there were 138 people recorded with the Mceachin surname, ranking it #16,292 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 11, ranked #37,501, down from #16,292 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Kirkintilloch, Denny and Arisaig and Moidart. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Mceachin is 138 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 92.0%.
1881 census count
138
Ranked #16,292
Modern count
11
2016, ranked #37,501
Peak year
1861
138 bearers
Map years
3
1861 to 1891
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Mceachin surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Mceachin 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 | 69 | #21,148 |
| 1861 | historical | 138 | #16,365 |
| 1881 | historical | 138 | #16,292 |
| 1891 | historical | 100 | #24,045 |
| 1901 | historical | 72 | #26,162 |
| 1911 | historical | 16 | #31,804 |
| 1997 | modern | 10 | #37,060 |
| 1998 | modern | 10 | #37,048 |
| 1999 | modern | 10 | #37,072 |
| 2000 | modern | 12 | #36,749 |
| 2001 | modern | 14 | #36,372 |
| 2002 | modern | 14 | #36,484 |
| 2003 | modern | 10 | #36,964 |
| 2004 | modern | 10 | #37,096 |
| 2005 | modern | 12 | #36,936 |
| 2006 | modern | 10 | #37,224 |
| 2007 | modern | 10 | #37,335 |
| 2008 | modern | 10 | #37,371 |
| 2009 | modern | 10 | #37,446 |
| 2010 | modern | 10 | #37,517 |
| 2011 | modern | 10 | #37,504 |
| 2012 | modern | 8 | #37,740 |
| 2013 | modern | 8 | #37,767 |
| 2014 | modern | 8 | #37,806 |
| 2015 | modern | 8 | #37,797 |
| 2016 | modern | 11 | #37,501 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Kirkintilloch, Denny, Arisaig and Moidart, Gateshead and Ardnamurchan. 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 | Kirkintilloch | Dunbarton |
| 2 | Denny | Stirling |
| 3 | Arisaig and Moidart | Inverness |
| 4 | Gateshead | Durham |
| 5 | Ardnamurchan | Argyll |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Mceachin 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 Mceachin, 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 Mceachin surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Mceachin 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, Mceachin 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 Mceachin is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Mceachin, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname McEachin is of Scottish origin, believed to have originated in the late 16th or early 17th century. It is derived from the Gaelic personal name "Eachan," which is a diminutive form of the name "Eachann," meaning "horse lover." The prefix "Mc" or "Mac" in Scottish surnames signifies "son of."
The earliest recorded instance of the name McEachin can be traced back to the parish of Ardchattan in Argyllshire, Scotland. This area was historically inhabited by the Clan Campbell, suggesting a potential connection between the McEachin surname and this influential Scottish clan.
In the early 17th century, a record of a land grant in the Ardchattan area mentions a "John McEachin," providing one of the earliest documented examples of the surname. This record also indicates that the name may have been associated with landownership in the region.
A notable bearer of the McEachin surname was John McEachin (1670-1745), a Scottish Presbyterian minister who emigrated to America in the early 18th century. He played a significant role in establishing the Presbyterian Church in the colonies and served as a minister in Somerset County, Maryland.
Another prominent figure was Reverend Samuel McEachin (1751-1836), a Presbyterian minister and American Revolutionary War veteran. He served as a chaplain in the Continental Army and later became a respected member of the clergy in Virginia.
During the 19th century, the McEachin surname appeared in various records across Scotland and the United States. In 1820, a William McEachin was born in Renfrewshire, Scotland, and later immigrated to Canada, where he became a successful farmer and landowner.
The McEachin surname has also been associated with several place names, such as McEachin's Creek and McEachin's Knob, both located in Virginia, United States. These place names likely originated from early settlers bearing the McEachin surname in the region.
While the surname McEachin is not as common as some other Scottish surnames, it has a rich history and has been carried by individuals who have made notable contributions in various fields, including religion, military service, and agriculture.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
FAQ
In 1881, 138 people were recorded with the Mceachin surname. That placed it at #16,292 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 11 in 2016. That gives Mceachin a modern rank of #37,501.
A Scottish surname meaning "son of Eachan", a diminutive form of Hector.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Mceachin 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.