NameCensus.

UK surname

Mcgill

A surname of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic "Mac an Ghoill," meaning "son of the foreigner or stranger."

In the 1881 census there were 3,565 people recorded with the Mcgill surname, ranking it #1,267 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 6,456, ranked #1,045, up from #1,267 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Govan Combination, Edinburgh and Greenock. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Carrick South, Annbank, Mossblown and Tarbolton - the Coalfields and Braidfauld.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Mcgill is 6,488 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 81.1%.

1881 census count

3,565

Ranked #1,267

Modern count

6,456

2016, ranked #1,045

Peak year

2010

6,488 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Mcgill had 3,565 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #1,267 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 6,456 in 2016, ranked #1,045.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 4,392 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established but Challenged.

Mcgill surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Mcgill surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Mcgill 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 2,272 #1,297
1861 historical 2,518 #1,162
1881 historical 3,565 #1,267
1891 historical 3,906 #1,229
1901 historical 4,392 #1,297
1911 historical 1,476 #3,260
1997 modern 6,001 #1,091
1998 modern 6,125 #1,109
1999 modern 6,229 #1,097
2000 modern 6,243 #1,090
2001 modern 6,101 #1,090
2002 modern 6,260 #1,088
2003 modern 6,157 #1,086
2004 modern 6,109 #1,090
2005 modern 6,099 #1,077
2006 modern 6,097 #1,072
2007 modern 6,159 #1,071
2008 modern 6,216 #1,063
2009 modern 6,332 #1,071
2010 modern 6,488 #1,067
2011 modern 6,409 #1,066
2012 modern 6,301 #1,064
2013 modern 6,400 #1,068
2014 modern 6,474 #1,057
2015 modern 6,412 #1,056
2016 modern 6,456 #1,045

Geography

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Where Mcgills are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Govan Combination, Edinburgh, Greenock, Glasgow and Kilmarnock. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Carrick South, Annbank, Mossblown and Tarbolton - the Coalfields, Braidfauld, Greenock West and Central and The Glens. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 Govan Combination Lanark
2 Edinburgh Edinburgh
3 Greenock Renfrew
4 Glasgow Lanark
5 Kilmarnock Ayr

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Carrick South South Ayrshire
2 Annbank, Mossblown and Tarbolton - the Coalfields South Ayrshire
3 Braidfauld Glasgow City
4 Greenock West and Central Inverclyde
5 The Glens Dundee City

Forenames

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First names often paired with Mcgill

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Mcgill

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

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Mcgill 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

Mcgill 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

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

Meaning and origin of Mcgill

The surname McGill has its origins in Ireland and Scotland, where it first appeared in the 12th century. It is derived from the Gaelic personal name "Gill" or "Gille," meaning "servant" or "youth," combined with the prefix "Mac," meaning "son of." This suggests that the name originally referred to the son of someone named Gill.

The earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in Scottish and Irish historical records from the 13th and 14th centuries. One notable example is the mention of "Gillemor McGill" in the Exchequer Rolls of Scotland in 1264. The surname is also found in various forms, such as "M'Gill," "McGyll," and "Makgill," reflecting regional variations in spelling and pronunciation.

Several historical figures have borne the surname McGill. One of the earliest was Sir James McGill (1744-1813), a Scottish-born merchant and philanthropist who was a prominent figure in Montreal, Canada. He bequeathed a significant portion of his estate to establish McGill University, one of Canada's most prestigious institutions of higher learning.

Another noteworthy individual was John McGill (1809-1890), an Irish-born civil engineer who played a significant role in the construction of the Erie Canal and other major infrastructure projects in the United States during the 19th century.

In Scotland, the McGill family had a strong presence in Ayrshire, where they held lands and were involved in local affairs. One notable member was Sir David McGill (1549-1628), a Scottish courtier and diplomat who served under King James VI and I.

In Ireland, the McGill surname was particularly prevalent in County Down, where it is believed to have originated. One prominent figure was Patrick McGill (1801-1891), an Irish Catholic priest and educator who established several schools and played a key role in promoting education in the region.

While the surname McGill has its roots in the British Isles, it has since spread to various parts of the world through migration and immigration. Notable individuals with this surname have made contributions in fields such as education, engineering, business, and politics, leaving a lasting legacy associated with the name.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Mcgill families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Mcgill 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. Lancashire leads with 39 Mcgills recorded in 1881 and an index of 1.13x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 39 1.13x
Yorkshire 34 1.18x
Middlesex 32 1.10x
Northumberland 28 6.50x
Cumberland 25 10.02x
Ayrshire 20 9.22x
Surrey 17 1.20x
Durham 11 1.28x
Denbighshire 10 9.14x
Midlothian 10 2.58x
Gloucestershire 9 1.58x
Flintshire 8 10.27x
Warwickshire 8 1.09x
Glamorgan 6 1.19x
Kent 6 0.61x
Norfolk 6 1.35x
Renfrewshire 6 2.67x
Cambridgeshire 5 2.72x
Staffordshire 5 0.51x
Hampshire 4 0.67x
Sussex 2 0.41x
Cheshire 1 0.16x
Cornwall 1 0.30x
Devon 1 0.17x
Hertfordshire 1 0.50x
Isle of Man 1 1.86x
Royal Navy 1 2.90x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Headingley Cum Burley in Yorkshire leads with 15 Mcgills recorded in 1881 and an index of 81.17x.

Place Total Index
Headingley Cum Burley 15 81.17x
Tottenham 11 23.84x
Liverpool 10 4.79x
Llanrwst 10 263.85x
Whitehaven 10 75.24x
Lambeth 9 3.56x
Birmingham 8 3.29x
Bristol St Philip Jacob 8 14.95x
St Cuthbert W O 8 65.79x
Bishopwearmouth 7 9.46x
Kirkdale 7 12.10x
Kirknewton 7 625.00x
Maybole 7 106.06x
Newcastle On Tyne St 7 31.33x
Ardrossan 6 79.89x
West Greenock 6 14.89x
Camberwell 5 2.70x
Chatteris 5 106.84x
Dalmellington 5 78.37x
Holy Trinity 5 7.24x
Manchester 5 3.23x
Merthyr Tydfil 5 10.31x
Norwich St Peter Southgate 5 892.86x
Sheffield 5 5.47x
St Cuthbert Within 5 173.01x
Twickenham 5 40.26x
Westgate 5 18.73x
Yeadon 5 77.16x
Dymchurch 4 727.27x
Eccleston In Prescot 4 23.18x
Kensington London 4 2.48x
Leeds 4 2.47x
Morpeth 4 78.90x
St Giles Cripplegate 4 103.90x
Toxteth Park 4 3.44x
Battersea 3 2.81x
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 3 1.92x
Elswick 3 8.72x
Hawarden 3 49.02x
Rhuddlan 3 43.73x
St Marylebone London 3 1.94x
Wallsend 3 21.95x
Wolverhampton 3 3.99x
Bangor Is Y Coed 2 500.00x
Byker 2 9.39x
Everton 2 1.83x
Holdenhurst 2 12.84x
Newcastle On Tyne St John 2 35.27x
Newcastle Under Lyme 2 11.56x
Shoreditch London 2 1.59x
Stranton 2 6.89x
Wigan 2 4.16x
Ballaugh 1 104.17x
Barrow In Furness 1 2.14x
Blackley 1 16.58x
Caldewgate 1 7.32x
Dailly 1 45.25x
Edmonton 1 4.28x
Falmouth 1 8.61x
Gateshead 1 1.55x
Gloucester St Michael 1 76.92x
Hastings St Mary In The 1 9.60x
Heswall Cum Oldfield 1 113.64x
Heworth 1 5.89x
Horton Kirby 1 65.36x
Hove 1 4.67x
Islington London 1 0.36x
Kirkoswald 1 56.50x
Llancarvan 1 178.57x
Margate St John Baptist 1 5.52x
North Meols 1 2.97x
North Shields 1 11.63x
Norwich St Peter 1 34.25x
Sandhoe 1 476.19x
St Maurice Winchester 1 40.49x
Ware 1 17.48x
West Derby 1 0.99x
Whippingham 1 22.22x
Workington 1 7.00x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 16
Annie 8
Elizabeth 7
Jane 5
Margaret 5
Sarah 5
Agnes 4
Alice 4
Catherine 4
Ellen 4
Amelia 3
Eliza 3
Harriet 3
Alison 2
Ann 2
Anne 2
Beatrice 2
Fanny 2
Frances 2
Hannah 2
Helen 2
Carrey 1
Cathrin 1
Cathrine 1
Cecilia 1
Christina 1
Clara 1
Elizth. 1
Emily 1
Emma 1
Ester 1
Esther 1
Eveline 1
Harriett 1
Honoria 1
Isabella 1
Janet 1
Jenet 1
Jessie 1
Julia 1
Maggie 1
Margeret 1
Marguerite 1
Maria 1
Marion 1
Maud 1
Nellie 1
Rosannah 1
Rose 1
William 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
James 18
John 14
William 14
Thomas 11
Robert 9
George 8
Henry 6
David 5
Andrew 4
Arthur 4
Charles 3
Peter 3
Alexander 2
Edward 2
Joseph 2
Patrick 2
Robt. 2
Walter 2
(Mr.) 1
Alex. 1
Alfred 1
Annable 1
Archibald 1
Benjamin 1
Cecil 1
Daniel 1
Edmund 1
Eustace 1
Francis 1
Frederick 1
Fredk.Jno. 1
Fredk.Thos. 1
Harry 1
Hery 1
Hiram 1
Jno.W. 1
Percy 1
Richd. 1
Samuel 1
Stephen 1
Thos. 1
Verity 1
Willm.E. 1
Wm. 1

FAQ

Mcgill surname: questions and answers

How common was the Mcgill surname in 1881?

In 1881, 3,565 people were recorded with the Mcgill surname. That placed it at #1,267 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Mcgill surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 6,456 in 2016. That gives Mcgill a modern rank of #1,045.

What does the Mcgill surname mean?

A surname of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic "Mac an Ghoill," meaning "son of the foreigner or stranger."

What does the Mcgill map show?

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