NameCensus.

UK surname

Mcewan

A Scottish surname derived from the Gaelic "MacEoghain," meaning "son of Eoghan" (Eoghan being a personal name meaning "born of the yew tree").

In the 1881 census there were 4,624 people recorded with the Mcewan surname, ranking it #965 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 8,168, ranked #809, up from #965 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Govan Combination, Edinburgh and Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Sauchie, Maybole and Carntyne West and Haghill.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Mcewan is 8,168 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 76.6%.

1881 census count

4,624

Ranked #965

Modern count

8,168

2016, ranked #809

Peak year

2016

8,168 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Mcewan had 4,624 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #965 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 8,168 in 2016, ranked #809.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 5,861 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Legacy and Demographically Mixed Communities.

Mcewan surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Mcewan surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Mcewan 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 2,404 #1,240
1861 historical 2,754 #1,065
1881 historical 4,624 #965
1891 historical 4,797 #970
1901 historical 5,861 #949
1911 historical 793 #5,505
1997 modern 7,267 #888
1998 modern 7,553 #889
1999 modern 7,696 #880
2000 modern 7,640 #880
2001 modern 7,523 #876
2002 modern 7,673 #880
2003 modern 7,481 #878
2004 modern 7,434 #884
2005 modern 7,542 #855
2006 modern 7,515 #863
2007 modern 7,654 #851
2008 modern 7,794 #836
2009 modern 7,927 #842
2010 modern 8,097 #843
2011 modern 7,946 #848
2012 modern 7,871 #833
2013 modern 8,023 #831
2014 modern 8,144 #823
2015 modern 8,094 #820
2016 modern 8,168 #809

Geography

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Where Mcewans are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Govan Combination, Edinburgh, Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry, Kilmichael Glassary and Greenock. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Sauchie, Maybole, Carntyne West and Haghill, Port Glasgow Upper, West and Central and Northumberland. 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 Edinburgh Edinburgh
3 Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry Forfar
4 Kilmichael Glassary Argyll
5 Greenock Renfrew

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Sauchie Clackmannanshire
2 Maybole South Ayrshire
3 Carntyne West and Haghill Glasgow City
4 Port Glasgow Upper, West and Central Inverclyde
5 Northumberland 005 Northumberland

Forenames

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First names often paired with Mcewan

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Mcewan

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

Legacy Communities

Group

Legacy and Demographically Mixed Communities

Nationally, the Mcewan surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Legacy and Demographically Mixed Communities, within Legacy Communities. This does not mean every Mcewan household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Households in these areas often include divorced or separated parents and commonly include children and young adults. The age structure is heavily skewed towards the most advanced age groups. Individuals identifying as members of ethnic minorities are not present in large numbers. Flats predominate, with some terraced, semi-detached, and detached units. Multiple car ownership is low, and housing is predominantly in the private and social rented sectors. Employment is less skewed towards traditional routine industrial occupations. Levels of educational attainment are generally low. The Group occurs principally in the Central Lowlands of Scotland and other Scottish towns.

Wider pattern

These neighbourhoods characteristically comprise pockets of flats that are scattered across the UK, particularly in towns that retain or have legacies of heavy industry or are in more remote seaside locations. Employed residents of these neighbourhoods work mainly in low-skilled occupations. Residents typically have limited educational qualifications. Unemployment is above average. Some residents live in overcrowded housing within the social rented sector and experience long-term disability. All adult age groups are represented, although there is an overall age bias towards elderly people in general and the very old in particular. Individuals identifying as belonging to ethnic minorities or Mixed or Multiple ethnic groups are uncommon.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Mcewan is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support 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

Mainly located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

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

Mcewan 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

Mcewan 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 Mcewan is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of Over 70 mbit/s.

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

10
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Mcewan

The surname McEwan has its origins in Scotland, tracing back to the medieval era. It is a variant of the Gaelic name 'Mac-Iain,' meaning 'son of Ian' or 'son of John.' The prefix 'Mac' denotes a patronymic name, indicating the surname's lineage from a particular ancestor.

The McEwan name is closely associated with the Scottish Highlands, particularly in areas such as Argyll and the Western Isles. It is believed to have emerged as a distinct surname in the 13th or 14th century, as the use of hereditary surnames became more prevalent in Scotland.

One of the earliest known references to the McEwan surname can be found in the 'Ragman Rolls' of 1296, a series of documents recording the swearing of fealty to King Edward I of England by Scottish nobles and landowners. This historical record includes the name 'Gillemor McEwan,' indicating the presence of the McEwan family during that period.

In the 16th century, the McEwan surname appeared in various records related to the Clan MacDonald, suggesting a connection between the two families. The 'Annals of the Kingdom of Ireland' from 1616 mentions a 'Donald McEwan,' who was a prominent figure within the clan.

One of the most notable individuals bearing the McEwan surname was Sir John McEwan (1652-1724), a Scottish merchant and philanthropist. He played a significant role in the establishment of the Merchants' Company in Edinburgh, which aimed to support widows and children of deceased merchants.

Another notable figure was Reverend William McEwan (1736-1819), a Scottish minister and author. He published several works, including 'The Grace and Duty of Being Spiritually Minded' and 'The Revelation of St. John the Divine Explained.'

In the literary world, Ian McEwan (born 1948) is a renowned British novelist and screenwriter. He has won numerous prestigious awards, including the Man Booker Prize for his novel 'Amsterdam' in 1998. Some of his other notable works include 'Atonement,' 'On Chesil Beach,' and 'Nutshell.'

William McEwan (1827-1913) was a Scottish brewer and entrepreneur who founded the McEwan's Brewery in Edinburgh. The brewery became one of the largest in Scotland and played a significant role in the city's brewing industry during the 19th century.

Finally, Mary McEwan (1865-1915) was a Scottish educator and campaigner for women's rights. She founded the Scottish Association of Teachers of Domestic Subjects and played a crucial role in advocating for the inclusion of domestic science education in Scottish schools.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Mcewan families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Mcewan 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. Middlesex leads with 23 Mcewans recorded in 1881 and an index of 1.68x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 23 1.68x
Lancashire 17 1.05x
Northumberland 16 7.88x
Yorkshire 14 1.03x
Durham 10 2.46x
Lanarkshire 9 2.04x
Sussex 9 3.91x
Hertfordshire 8 8.50x
Ayrshire 6 5.87x
Essex 5 1.86x
Surrey 5 0.75x
Cheshire 4 1.33x
Cumberland 4 3.40x
Worcestershire 4 2.24x
Dorset 2 2.23x
Norfolk 2 0.95x
Renfrewshire 2 1.89x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Edmonton in Middlesex leads with 10 Mcewans recorded in 1881 and an index of 90.91x.

Place Total Index
Edmonton 10 90.91x
Kirkdale 10 36.68x
Barony 8 7.16x
Gate Fulford 8 253.16x
Cheshunt 7 212.77x
Liverpool 7 7.11x
Ayr 6 124.48x
Islington London 6 4.53x
Mile End Old Town 6 27.84x
Hastings St Leonards 5 147.93x
Lambeth 5 4.20x
Swinton In Rotherham 5 139.66x
West Ham 5 8.40x
Heworth 4 50.00x
Kidderminster Borough 4 38.31x
Monks Coppenhall 4 35.18x
Tynemouth 4 36.76x
Wallsend 4 62.11x
Lancing 3 476.19x
Newcastle On Tyne All Sts 3 24.73x
Westgate 3 23.85x
Birtley 2 120.48x
Bishopwearmouth 2 5.74x
Corfe Castle 2 240.96x
Heigham 2 17.75x
North Shields 2 49.38x
Westoe 2 8.68x
Whitehaven 2 31.90x
Chipping Barnet 1 60.61x
Cleator 1 20.45x
Govan 1 0.92x
Harrington 1 70.42x
Holy Trinity 1 3.07x
Hove 1 9.90x
Kensington London 1 1.32x
Paisley Middle Church 1 16.23x
West Greenock 1 5.27x

Top female names

These are the female first names most often recorded with the Mcewan surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
Margaret 9
Mary 8
Jane 5
Annie 4
Elizabeth 4
Ann 3
Anne 2
Charlotte 2
Isabella 2
Amelia 1
Beatrice 1
Christine 1
Eleanor 1
Eliza 1
Ellen 1
Florence 1
Florence.E. 1
Helen 1
Jennie 1
Louie 1
Margret 1
Margt. 1
Maria 1
Marianne 1
Marion 1
Rebecca 1
Sarah 1
Susanna 1
Susannah 1

Top male names

These are the male first names most often recorded with the Mcewan surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
John 11
William 6
James 4
Thomas 4
Robert 3
Albert 2
Alexander 2
Andrew 2
Anthony 2
Henry 2
Richard 2
Alfred 1
Archibald 1
Charles 1
Christie 1
Edward 1
Francis 1
Frederick 1
Geo. 1
George 1
Harold.J. 1
Harry 1
Herbert 1
Hugh 1
Michael 1
Montague 1
Percival 1
Robert.S. 1
Robt. 1
Robt.C. 1
Samuel 1
Thos.M. 1
Walter 1

FAQ

Mcewan surname: questions and answers

How common was the Mcewan surname in 1881?

In 1881, 4,624 people were recorded with the Mcewan surname. That placed it at #965 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Mcewan surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 8,168 in 2016. That gives Mcewan a modern rank of #809.

What does the Mcewan surname mean?

A Scottish surname derived from the Gaelic "MacEoghain," meaning "son of Eoghan" (Eoghan being a personal name meaning "born of the yew tree").

What does the Mcewan map show?

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