NameCensus.

UK surname

Mcgilligan

An Irish surname derived from the Gaelic "Mac Gille Fhionáin" meaning "son of the servant of St. Finan".

In the 1881 census there were 38 people recorded with the Mcgilligan surname, ranking it #28,285 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 173, ranked #21,561, up from #28,285 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Salford, Hillyland, Tulloch and Inveralmond and Tameside.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Mcgilligan is 190 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 355.3%.

1881 census count

38

Ranked #28,285

Modern count

173

2016, ranked #21,561

Peak year

2010

190 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Mcgilligan had 38 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #28,285 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 173 in 2016, ranked #21,561.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 44 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Spacious Rural Living.

Mcgilligan surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Mcgilligan surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Mcgilligan 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 22 #29,378
1861 historical 25 #30,804
1881 historical 38 #28,285
1891 historical 38 #31,330
1901 historical 44 #29,276
1911 historical 31 #29,952
1997 modern 157 #20,513
1998 modern 163 #20,582
1999 modern 170 #20,153
2000 modern 167 #20,332
2001 modern 167 #20,060
2002 modern 173 #20,043
2003 modern 158 #20,952
2004 modern 166 #20,441
2005 modern 167 #20,296
2006 modern 178 #19,666
2007 modern 183 #19,553
2008 modern 186 #19,524
2009 modern 188 #19,797
2010 modern 190 #20,087
2011 modern 184 #20,363
2012 modern 179 #20,679
2013 modern 185 #20,575
2014 modern 186 #20,664
2015 modern 179 #21,069
2016 modern 173 #21,561

Geography

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Where Mcgilligans 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, Hillyland, Tulloch and Inveralmond, Tameside, County Durham and Selby. 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 030 Salford
2 Hillyland, Tulloch and Inveralmond Perth and Kinross
3 Tameside 012 Tameside
4 County Durham 014 County Durham
5 Selby 007 Selby

Forenames

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First names often paired with Mcgilligan

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Mcgilligan

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

Retired Professionals

Group

Spacious Rural Living

Nationally, the Mcgilligan surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Spacious Rural Living, within Retired Professionals. This does not mean every Mcgilligan household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

These predominantly ageing households typically have no resident dependent children. Most are owner-occupiers and live in detached houses in low density residential developments (although renting is more common than in the rest of the Supergroup). White ethnicity predominates. Residents are typically beyond retirement age but those still in work have managerial, professional or skilled trade occupations. White ethnicity and Christian religious affiliation predominate. Neighbourhoods are located throughout rural UK.

Wider pattern

Typically married but no longer with resident dependent children, these well-educated households either remain working in their managerial, professional, administrative or other skilled occupations, or are retired from them – the modal individual age is beyond normal retirement age. Underoccupied detached and semi-detached properties predominate, and unpaid care is more prevalent than reported disability. The prevalence of this Supergroup outside most urban conurbations indicates that rural lifestyles prevail, typically sustained by using two or more cars per household.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

London Fringe

Within London, Mcgilligan is most associated with areas classed as London Fringe, part of Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs. 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

Predominantly located in neighbourhoods on the outskirts of Greater London, residents of these neighbourhoods typically have their highest qualifications below degree (Level 4) level, with those still in work engaged in skilled trades and occupations in distribution, hotels and restaurants. There is low ethnic diversity in these neighbourhoods and high levels of Christian religious affiliation. Detached or terraced houses predominate, often with spare rooms.

Wider London pattern

The age distribution of these neighbourhoods is skewed towards the middle-aged and old, although few residents live alone or in communal establishments and numbers of dependent children are around average. Owner occupation is the norm, as is residence in detached or semi-detached houses. Residential densities are low and many households have spare rooms. Most residents were born in the UK and, aside from some identifying as members of Chinese or Indian ethnicities, identify as White. Mixed ethnicity households are rare. Incidence of married couples is higher than average and few individuals have never been married. A large proportion of individuals still in employment work in administrative and secretarial occupations, or in the construction industry. Few residents are students, and many households own more than one car.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Mcgilligan is most concentrated in decile 9 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.

9
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Mcgilligan falls in decile 2 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.

2
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Mcgilligan

The surname McGilligan originated in Ireland, with its roots dating back to the early medieval period. It is derived from the Gaelic personal name "Gille Gan," which translates to "the fair young man" or "the bright youth." This name was often bestowed upon individuals with a fair complexion or bright, youthful appearance.

The name McGilligan first appeared in historical records in the 13th century, predominantly in the counties of Ulster and Donegal. It was initially spelled as "Mac Gille Gan" or "MacGilligan," reflecting the Gaelic patronymic naming system, where "Mac" signified "son of."

One of the earliest known references to the McGilligan name can be found in the Annals of the Four Masters, a renowned chronicle of medieval Irish history. In this work, the name is mentioned in connection with various events and individuals from the 13th and 14th centuries.

The McGilligans were historically associated with the territory of Tír Chonaill, which encompassed parts of modern-day counties Donegal and Derry. The name was particularly prevalent in the baronies of Raphoe and Kilmacrenan, where they held lands and positions of influence.

Among the notable McGilligans throughout history, one can mention:

1. Niall McGilligan (c. 1560-1640), a prominent chieftain and leader of the McGilligan clan in Donegal during the 16th and early 17th centuries. 2. Eoghan McGilligan (c. 1620-1690), a renowned Irish Franciscan friar and scholar who authored several works on theology and philosophy. 3. Seamus McGilligan (1737-1815), a renowned Irish harper and composer who helped preserve the tradition of Irish harp music during the 18th century. 4. Caitlín McGilligan (1860-1935), a celebrated Irish poet and writer who wrote extensively in both English and Irish Gaelic. 5. Tomás McGilligan (1881-1963), a prominent Irish nationalist and politician who served as a Member of Parliament for the constituency of West Donegal from 1918 to 1922.

While the McGilligan name has its origins in Ireland, it has since spread to various parts of the world due to emigration and diaspora. However, the historical roots and associations of this surname remain firmly grounded in the Irish counties of Donegal and Derry, where it once held significant prominence and influence.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Mcgilligan families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Mcgilligan 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. Hampshire leads with 4 Mcgilligans recorded in 1881 and an index of 50.25x.

County Total Index
Hampshire 4 50.25x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. St Thomas Winchester in Hampshire leads with 4 Mcgilligans recorded in 1881 and an index of 6666.67x.

Place Total Index
St Thomas Winchester 4 6666.67x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Caroline 1
Martha 1
Mary 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
Richard 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 Mcgilligan households.

Occupation Count
None 3
Bandsman Hants Militia 1

FAQ

Mcgilligan surname: questions and answers

How common was the Mcgilligan surname in 1881?

In 1881, 38 people were recorded with the Mcgilligan surname. That placed it at #28,285 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Mcgilligan surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 173 in 2016. That gives Mcgilligan a modern rank of #21,561.

What does the Mcgilligan surname mean?

An Irish surname derived from the Gaelic "Mac Gille Fhionáin" meaning "son of the servant of St. Finan".

What does the Mcgilligan map show?

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