UK surname
Anglicized form of a Gaelic surname meaning "son of Gadhra," derived from a personal name meaning "hound" or "dog."
In the 1881 census there were 79 people recorded with the Mcgary surname, ranking it #22,357 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 22, ranked #36,533, down from #22,357 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Gateshead, Edinburgh and Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Mcgary is 111 in 1891. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 72.2%.
1881 census count
79
Ranked #22,357
Modern count
22
2016, ranked #36,533
Peak year
1891
111 bearers
Map years
2
1861 to 1891
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Mcgary surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Mcgary surname density by area, 1891 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 | 88 | #18,569 |
| 1861 | historical | 110 | #19,562 |
| 1881 | historical | 79 | #22,357 |
| 1891 | historical | 111 | #22,421 |
| 1901 | historical | 45 | #29,156 |
| 1911 | historical | 29 | #30,190 |
| 1997 | modern | 18 | #36,053 |
| 1998 | modern | 17 | #36,240 |
| 1999 | modern | 18 | #36,151 |
| 2000 | modern | 15 | #36,425 |
| 2001 | modern | 20 | #35,754 |
| 2002 | modern | 15 | #36,381 |
| 2003 | modern | 15 | #36,415 |
| 2004 | modern | 17 | #36,342 |
| 2005 | modern | 15 | #36,621 |
| 2006 | modern | 16 | #36,601 |
| 2007 | modern | 17 | #36,628 |
| 2008 | modern | 21 | #36,355 |
| 2009 | modern | 25 | #36,191 |
| 2010 | modern | 22 | #36,462 |
| 2011 | modern | 21 | #36,502 |
| 2012 | modern | 21 | #36,490 |
| 2013 | modern | 22 | #36,477 |
| 2014 | modern | 22 | #36,496 |
| 2015 | modern | 22 | #36,493 |
| 2016 | modern | 22 | #36,533 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Gateshead, Edinburgh, Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry, Manchester and Glasgow. 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 | Gateshead | Durham |
| 2 | Edinburgh | Edinburgh |
| 3 | Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry | Forfar |
| 4 | Manchester | Lancashire |
| 5 | Glasgow | Lanark |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Mcgary 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 Mcgary, 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 Mcgary surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Mcgary 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, Mcgary 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 Mcgary is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Mcgary, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname MCGARY is of Scottish origin, with roots dating back to the 12th century. It is believed to have originated from the Gaelic word "MacGearaidh," which translates to "son of Gerard." This suggests that the name may have been derived from a personal name or patronymic, indicating the lineage of the family.
MCGARY can be traced back to the ancient Scottish Highlands, where it was predominantly found in the regions of Argyll and the Isles. The name's earliest recorded spelling was "MacGerrie," which was documented in the Ragman Rolls of 1296, a significant historical record that lists Scottish nobles and landowners who pledged allegiance to King Edward I of England.
During the 16th century, the MCGARY name appeared in various legal documents and charters in the Highlands, often associated with land grants and property ownership. One notable mention was in the Exchequer Rolls of Scotland in 1528, where a John McGary was listed as a landowner in the county of Argyll.
As the centuries passed, the name evolved into different spellings, such as McGarry, McGarrie, and McGarrigle, reflecting the phonetic variations common in the era. In the 17th century, a branch of the MCGARY family settled in the Scottish Lowlands, particularly in the regions of Ayrshire and Renfrewshire.
Among the notable individuals bearing the MCGARY surname throughout history are:
1. John McGary (c. 1600-1670), a Scottish soldier who fought in the English Civil War and later served as a member of the Parliament of Scotland. 2. William McGary (1760-1825), a Scottish-American pioneer and Revolutionary War veteran, who played a crucial role in the settlement of Kentucky. 3. Hugh McGary (1805-1881), an American politician and lawyer from Tennessee, who served as a member of the United States House of Representatives. 4. Robert McGary (1880-1952), a Scottish-born American industrialist and businessman, known for his contributions to the automotive industry in Detroit. 5. Eileen McGary (1920-2005), an American actress and singer, who appeared in numerous Broadway productions and television shows during the mid-20th century.
The MCGARY name has a rich history deeply rooted in Scottish heritage, with its origins dating back to the medieval era. Despite various spelling variations over time, the surname has maintained its distinct identity and has been carried by individuals who have made significant contributions in various fields, from military service to politics, business, and the arts.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Mcgary surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Lancashire leads with 3 Mcgarys recorded in 1881 and an index of 5.21x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Lancashire | 3 | 5.21x |
| Middlesex | 1 | 2.06x |
| Staffordshire | 1 | 6.11x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Warrington in Lancashire leads with 2 Mcgarys recorded in 1881 and an index of 294.12x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Warrington | 2 | 294.12x |
| Barlaston | 1 | 10000.00x |
| Hackney London | 1 | 36.76x |
| West Derby | 1 | 59.52x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Mcgary surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Mcgary surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
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 Mcgary households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Annuitant | 1 |
| Farm Servant (Indoors) | 1 |
| Laborer | 1 |
| Nurse Domestic Servant | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 79 people were recorded with the Mcgary surname. That placed it at #22,357 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 22 in 2016. That gives Mcgary a modern rank of #36,533.
Anglicized form of a Gaelic surname meaning "son of Gadhra," derived from a personal name meaning "hound" or "dog."
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Mcgary 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.