NameCensus.

UK surname

Mcgarrell

A Scottish surname derived from the Gaelic name "Mac Garbhshiail," meaning "son of the rough fellow."

In the 1881 census there were 24 people recorded with the Mcgarrell surname, ranking it #30,215 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 241, ranked #17,233, up from #30,215 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Roystonhill, Blochairn, and Provanmill, Richmondshire and Oldham.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Mcgarrell is 254 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 904.2%.

1881 census count

24

Ranked #30,215

Modern count

241

2016, ranked #17,233

Peak year

2010

254 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Mcgarrell had 24 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #30,215 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 241 in 2016, ranked #17,233.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 56 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established but Challenged.

Mcgarrell surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Mcgarrell surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Mcgarrell 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 11 #31,309
1861 historical 37 #29,339
1881 historical 24 #30,215
1891 historical 50 #30,253
1901 historical 56 #27,952
1911 historical 56 #27,216
1997 modern 232 #16,012
1998 modern 240 #16,117
1999 modern 246 #15,974
2000 modern 234 #16,470
2001 modern 229 #16,467
2002 modern 243 #16,147
2003 modern 226 #16,766
2004 modern 210 #17,644
2005 modern 214 #17,378
2006 modern 223 #17,036
2007 modern 237 #16,571
2008 modern 240 #16,535
2009 modern 250 #16,421
2010 modern 254 #16,604
2011 modern 251 #16,589
2012 modern 251 #16,467
2013 modern 249 #16,825
2014 modern 250 #16,905
2015 modern 246 #16,994
2016 modern 241 #17,233

Geography

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Where Mcgarrells 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 Roystonhill, Blochairn, and Provanmill, Richmondshire, Oldham, Forgewood and Orbiston. 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 Roystonhill, Blochairn, and Provanmill Glasgow City
2 Richmondshire 001 Richmondshire
3 Oldham 011 Oldham
4 Forgewood North Lanarkshire
5 Orbiston North Lanarkshire

Forenames

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First names often paired with Mcgarrell

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Mcgarrell

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Mcgarrell, 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 Mcgarrell surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Established but Challenged, within Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce. This does not mean every Mcgarrell 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

Suburban Asian Communities

Group

Young Asian Family Terraces

Within London, Mcgarrell is most associated with areas classed as Young Asian Family Terraces, part of Suburban Asian Communities. 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 households with dependent children typically live in terraced housing and are of (non-Chinese) Asian extraction. Individuals with Bangladeshi origins are particularly in evidence. Employment is often in elementary occupations or as process, plant or machine operatives, and part-time work is common. Students are much in evidence.

Wider London pattern

Many residents of these neighbourhoods are of (non-Chinese) Asian descent, with many identifying as Indian, Pakistani or Bangladeshi. Neighbourhoods are located across large areas of suburban west, north-east and south London. Detached, semi-detached and terraced houses are more prevalent than flats and socially rented housing is uncommon. Few residents live in communal establishments. Many families have dependent children, sometimes in overcrowded accommodation, and few households are ethnically mixed. Marriage rates are above the London average. The even age distribution, relative absence of individuals living alone and frequent incidence of households with children suggests that multi-generation households may be relatively common. Employment is often in skilled trades, elementary, sales and customer service occupations, and roles as process, plant, and machine operatives. Manufacturing and construction are well represented, along with employment in distribution, hotels, and restaurants. Many adults have only level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. English is not used at home by some residents. Religious affiliation is above average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Mcgarrell is most concentrated in decile 3 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.

3
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Mcgarrell 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 Mcgarrell is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 60-70 mbit/s.

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

9
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - Irish

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

Meaning and origin of Mcgarrell

The surname McGarrell is of Irish origin, deriving from the Gaelic Mac Giolla Riabhaigh, meaning "son of the grey-haired lad" or "son of the servant of St. Riabhach." The name can be traced back to the 12th century in County Donegal, Ireland.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name appears in the Annals of Ulster, a chronicle of medieval Irish history. In the year 1260, a man named Gilla Riabhaigh Ua Cathain is mentioned, likely an ancestor of the McGarrell family.

The McGarrell name underwent various spelling variations over the centuries, including McGarrel, McGarrill, McGarrell, and McGarrigle. These variations were often influenced by the local dialects and scribes' interpretations of the Gaelic language.

In the 16th century, a branch of the McGarrell family settled in County Tyrone, where they became prominent landowners. One notable figure was Fergus McGarrell (1570-1638), a member of the Irish Parliament and a supporter of the Irish Rebellion of 1641.

Another notable McGarrell was Patrick McGarrell (1720-1790), a Catholic priest and educator in County Derry. He founded several schools and worked tirelessly to promote education among the Irish Catholic population at a time when penal laws restricted their access to education.

During the 19th century, many McGarrells immigrated to America and other parts of the world, seeking better opportunities. One such immigrant was John McGarrell (1825-1901), who settled in New York City and became a successful businessman and philanthropist, contributing to the construction of several churches and schools.

In more recent history, William McGarrell (1913-1995) was an American author and journalist, known for his biographies of famous figures like Harry S. Truman and Winston Churchill.

Across the Atlantic, Michael McGarrell (1935-2016) was a prominent Irish actor and playwright, recognized for his contributions to the Abbey Theatre in Dublin.

The McGarrell surname has a rich history rooted in Irish culture and has been carried by individuals who have made significant contributions in various fields throughout the centuries.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Mcgarrell surname: questions and answers

How common was the Mcgarrell surname in 1881?

In 1881, 24 people were recorded with the Mcgarrell surname. That placed it at #30,215 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Mcgarrell surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 241 in 2016. That gives Mcgarrell a modern rank of #17,233.

What does the Mcgarrell surname mean?

A Scottish surname derived from the Gaelic name "Mac Garbhshiail," meaning "son of the rough fellow."

What does the Mcgarrell map show?

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