NameCensus.

UK surname

Mcfeely

An Irish surname derived from the Gaelic words "Mac Fíthil" meaning "son of the restless or migratory one."

In the 1881 census there were 22 people recorded with the Mcfeely surname, ranking it #30,464 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 152, ranked #23,516, up from #30,464 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Salford, Girvan Glendoune and Portobello.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Mcfeely is 152 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 590.9%.

1881 census count

22

Ranked #30,464

Modern count

152

2016, ranked #23,516

Peak year

2016

152 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Mcfeely had 22 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #30,464 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 152 in 2016, ranked #23,516.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 31 in 1851.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established but Challenged.

Mcfeely surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Mcfeely surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Mcfeely 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 31 #27,734
1861 historical 22 #31,140
1881 historical 22 #30,464
1891 historical 23 #32,389
1901 historical 23 #31,466
1911 historical 26 #30,547
1997 modern 131 #22,927
1998 modern 146 #22,031
1999 modern 137 #23,083
2000 modern 130 #23,785
2001 modern 129 #23,557
2002 modern 140 #22,876
2003 modern 139 #22,734
2004 modern 132 #23,625
2005 modern 139 #22,887
2006 modern 144 #22,520
2007 modern 142 #23,025
2008 modern 150 #22,429
2009 modern 143 #23,686
2010 modern 144 #24,147
2011 modern 142 #24,182
2012 modern 142 #24,148
2013 modern 144 #24,323
2014 modern 151 #23,745
2015 modern 148 #23,934
2016 modern 152 #23,516

Geography

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Where Mcfeelys 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 Salford, Girvan Glendoune, Portobello, Keppochhill and Woking. 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 Salford 016 Salford
2 Girvan Glendoune South Ayrshire
3 Portobello City of Edinburgh
4 Keppochhill Glasgow City
5 Woking 001 Woking

Forenames

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First names often paired with Mcfeely

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Mcfeely

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

Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce

Group

Established but Challenged

Nationally, the Mcfeely surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Established but Challenged, within Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce. This does not mean every Mcfeely household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many households in these neighbourhoods comprise separated or divorced single parents with dependent children. Residents are typically born in the UK, and these neighbourhoods have relatively few members of ethnic minorities. The prevalence of children, their parents and those at or above normal retirement age, suggests neighbourhood structures may be long-established. Levels of unpaid care are high, and long-term disability is more common than in the Supergroup as a whole. Use of the social rented sector is common, often in terraced houses. Levels of overcrowding are above the Supergroup average. Unemployment is high, while those in work are employed in elementary occupations such as caring, leisure and customer services. Many residents have low level qualifications. Neighbourhood concentrations of this Group are found in the South Wales Valleys, Belfast, Londonderry and the Central Lowlands of Scotland.

Wider pattern

Living in terraced or semi-detached houses, residents of these neighbourhoods typically lack high levels of education and work in elementary or routine service occupations. Unemployment is above average. Residents are predominantly born in the UK, and residents are also predominantly from ethnic minorities. Social (but not private sector) rented sector housing is common. This Supergroup is found throughout the UK’s conurbations and industrial regions but is also an integral part of smaller towns.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Mcfeely 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

Mcfeely is most concentrated in decile 10 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier 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.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Mcfeely falls in decile 4 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.

4
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Mcfeely 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 Mcfeely, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Mcfeely

The surname McFeely is of Scottish origin, with roots dating back to the 13th century. It is derived from the Gaelic word "feamaileach," meaning "modest" or "humble." The prefix "Mc" signifies "son of," indicating that the original bearer of the name was the son of someone known for their modesty.

The earliest known record of the name McFeely can be found in the Ragman Rolls of 1296, a series of historical documents containing the names of Scottish nobles who swore allegiance to Edward I of England. The name appears as "MacFelie," which is believed to be an early spelling variation.

During the 16th and 17th centuries, the McFeely clan was primarily located in the region of Galloway, situated in the southwestern part of Scotland. Several historical documents from this period reference individuals bearing the McFeely name, including parish records and land charters.

One notable figure from this era was John McFeely (1560-1625), a renowned scholar and theologian who served as the rector of the University of Glasgow. His contributions to the field of education and religious studies were widely celebrated during his lifetime.

In the 18th century, the McFeely name began to appear in various parts of Ireland as well, likely due to the migration of Scottish settlers during the Plantation of Ulster. One prominent individual from this time was Patrick McFeely (1720-1795), a successful merchant and landowner in County Donegal.

As the McFeely clan dispersed throughout the centuries, different spelling variations emerged, such as McFeeley, McFeelie, and McFeelay. These variations were often influenced by regional dialects and scribal errors in historical records.

Another notable figure was Robert McFeely (1823-1891), a Scottish-born politician who served as a member of the Canadian House of Commons, representing the district of Shefford, Quebec, from 1867 to 1872.

In the 20th century, the name McFeely gained recognition through the achievements of various individuals, including James McFeely (1908-1995), an American author and historian who penned several biographies of notable figures such as Ulysses S. Grant and Frederick Douglass.

Throughout its history, the surname McFeely has been carried by individuals from various walks of life, including scholars, merchants, politicians, and authors, reflecting the diverse backgrounds and contributions of those who bear this name.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Mcfeely families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Mcfeely 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. Devon leads with 3 Mcfeelys recorded in 1881 and an index of 49.34x.

County Total Index
Devon 3 49.34x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Stoke Damerel in Devon leads with 3 Mcfeelys recorded in 1881 and an index of 697.67x.

Place Total Index
Stoke Damerel 3 697.67x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Ellen 2

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 1

Top occupations

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 Mcfeely households.

Occupation Count
Scholar 2
General Dealer 1

FAQ

Mcfeely surname: questions and answers

How common was the Mcfeely surname in 1881?

In 1881, 22 people were recorded with the Mcfeely surname. That placed it at #30,464 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Mcfeely surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 152 in 2016. That gives Mcfeely a modern rank of #23,516.

What does the Mcfeely surname mean?

An Irish surname derived from the Gaelic words "Mac Fíthil" meaning "son of the restless or migratory one."

What does the Mcfeely map show?

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