NameCensus.

UK surname

Mcerlean

Irish surname meaning "son of the lame person" or "son of the crippled one".

In the 1881 census there were 13 people recorded with the Mcerlean surname, ranking it #31,761 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 314, ranked #14,291, up from #31,761 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include IZ14, Neath Port Talbot and Muirhead.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Mcerlean is 316 in 2015. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 2315.4%.

1881 census count

13

Ranked #31,761

Modern count

314

2016, ranked #14,291

Peak year

2015

316 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Mcerlean had 13 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #31,761 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 314 in 2016, ranked #14,291.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 36 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Spacious Rural Living.

Mcerlean surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Mcerlean surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Mcerlean 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 1 #33,412
1881 historical 13 #31,761
1891 historical 30 #31,889
1901 historical 36 #30,099
1911 historical 27 #30,437
1997 modern 262 #14,814
1998 modern 266 #15,053
1999 modern 262 #15,308
2000 modern 258 #15,427
2001 modern 254 #15,363
2002 modern 264 #15,236
2003 modern 267 #14,950
2004 modern 262 #15,233
2005 modern 264 #15,085
2006 modern 277 #14,667
2007 modern 281 #14,660
2008 modern 286 #14,618
2009 modern 290 #14,778
2010 modern 299 #14,769
2011 modern 294 #14,798
2012 modern 285 #15,050
2013 modern 303 #14,651
2014 modern 314 #14,371
2015 modern 316 #14,214
2016 modern 314 #14,291

Geography

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Where Mcerleans 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 IZ14, Neath Port Talbot, Muirhead, Slough and Hillhead. 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 IZ14 West Dunbartonshire
2 Neath Port Talbot 011 Neath Port Talbot
3 Muirhead South Ayrshire
4 Slough 010 Slough
5 Hillhead Glasgow City

Forenames

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First names often paired with Mcerlean

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Mcerlean

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

Retired Professionals

Group

Spacious Rural Living

Nationally, the Mcerlean surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Spacious Rural Living, within Retired Professionals. This does not mean every Mcerlean household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

These predominantly ageing households typically have no resident dependent children. Most are owner-occupiers and live in detached houses in low density residential developments (although renting is more common than in the rest of the Supergroup). White ethnicity predominates. Residents are typically beyond retirement age but those still in work have managerial, professional or skilled trade occupations. White ethnicity and Christian religious affiliation predominate. Neighbourhoods are located throughout rural UK.

Wider pattern

Typically married but no longer with resident dependent children, these well-educated households either remain working in their managerial, professional, administrative or other skilled occupations, or are retired from them – the modal individual age is beyond normal retirement age. Underoccupied detached and semi-detached properties predominate, and unpaid care is more prevalent than reported disability. The prevalence of this Supergroup outside most urban conurbations indicates that rural lifestyles prevail, typically sustained by using two or more cars per household.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins

Within London, Mcerlean is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins, part of Young Families and Mainstream Employment. 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

Scattered across London’s Inner and Outer suburbs, residents of these neighbourhoods are typically housed in the social rented sector. Although terraced and semi-detached houses predominate, more residents live in flats than elsewhere in the Supergroup. Neighbourhoods are more ethnically diverse than the Supergroup average. Those identifying as of Bangladeshi, Pakistani and some Black ethnicities are more prevalent. Europeans born in a overseas non-EU countries make up more of the lower proportion of residents identifying as White. Few residents are very old (85+). Employment in distribution, hotels and restaurants is more common than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

Many families in these neighbourhoods have young children. Housing is principally in the social rented sector, in terraced or semi-detached units. While over-all residential densities are low, overcrowding is also prevalent locally. Residents are drawn from a range of ethnic minorities, with many identifying as Black and above average numbers born in Africa. Numbers identifying as of Chinese, Indian or White ethnicity are below average. Levels of proficiency in English are below average. Levels of separation or divorce and incidence of disability are both above average. Education is typically limited to Level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. Few residents work in professional or managerial occupations but the employment structure is otherwise diverse: it includes skilled trades, caring, leisure and other service occupations, sales and customer service occupations, construction, and work as process, plant, and machine operatives.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Mcerlean 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

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

Meaning and origin of Mcerlean

The surname McErlean is of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic Mac Fhirbhisigh, which means "son of the hereditary bard or historian." This name has its roots in the ancient kingdom of Ulster, particularly in counties Donegal and Londonderry, where bardic families were highly respected and held influential positions.

The earliest recorded instances of the name can be traced back to the 16th century, with variations in spelling such as McErledyn, McErleyn, and McErlin appearing in historical records. One notable bearer of this name was Turlough McErlean, a 17th-century Irish poet and historian from County Donegal, known for his works documenting the lineages of prominent Irish families.

In the 17th and 18th centuries, the McErlean name gained prominence in County Donegal, with several individuals holding positions of authority and influence. For instance, James McErlean (1670-1745) served as a member of the Irish Parliament, representing County Donegal, while Patrick McErlean (1725-1798) was a renowned Catholic priest and author from the same region.

The name McErlean also has ties to various place names in Ireland, such as the townland of Ballymacellan (derived from Baile Mhic Fhirbhisigh, meaning "town of the son of the historian") in County Donegal. This connection to specific locations further reinforces the historical significance of the surname within the region.

Throughout history, the McErlean name has been associated with various professions, including literature, politics, and religion. One notable figure was Seán McErlean (1916-1986), an Irish writer and playwright who gained recognition for his works depicting rural life in Ulster.

While the surname McErlean may not be as prevalent as some other Irish surnames, its historical ties to the bardic tradition and its presence in regions like County Donegal have cemented its place in Irish cultural heritage.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Mcerlean surname: questions and answers

How common was the Mcerlean surname in 1881?

In 1881, 13 people were recorded with the Mcerlean surname. That placed it at #31,761 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Mcerlean surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 314 in 2016. That gives Mcerlean a modern rank of #14,291.

What does the Mcerlean surname mean?

Irish surname meaning "son of the lame person" or "son of the crippled one".

What does the Mcerlean map show?

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