UK surname
A Scottish surname derived from the Gaelic meaning "son of the servant" or "follower".
In the 1881 census there were 127 people recorded with the Mcgillvray surname, ranking it #17,166 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 48, ranked #35,004, down from #17,166 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Leslie, Govan Combination and Kilfinichen and Iona. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Mcgillvray is 141 in 1901. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 62.2%.
1881 census count
127
Ranked #17,166
Modern count
48
2016, ranked #35,004
Peak year
1901
141 bearers
Map years
4
1861 to 1901
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Mcgillvray surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Mcgillvray surname density by area, 1881 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 | 29 | #28,082 |
| 1861 | historical | 102 | #20,797 |
| 1881 | historical | 127 | #17,166 |
| 1891 | historical | 135 | #19,692 |
| 1901 | historical | 141 | #18,718 |
| 1911 | historical | 6 | #33,255 |
| 1997 | modern | 61 | #31,526 |
| 1998 | modern | 59 | #32,027 |
| 1999 | modern | 53 | #32,746 |
| 2000 | modern | 48 | #33,288 |
| 2001 | modern | 47 | #33,219 |
| 2002 | modern | 45 | #33,712 |
| 2003 | modern | 43 | #33,951 |
| 2004 | modern | 42 | #34,222 |
| 2005 | modern | 40 | #34,562 |
| 2006 | modern | 40 | #34,854 |
| 2007 | modern | 39 | #35,097 |
| 2008 | modern | 39 | #35,191 |
| 2009 | modern | 42 | #35,148 |
| 2010 | modern | 44 | #35,183 |
| 2011 | modern | 44 | #35,161 |
| 2012 | modern | 40 | #35,369 |
| 2013 | modern | 46 | #35,110 |
| 2014 | modern | 48 | #35,041 |
| 2015 | modern | 47 | #35,056 |
| 2016 | modern | 48 | #35,004 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Leslie, Govan Combination, Kilfinichen and Iona, Edinburgh 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 | Leslie | Aberdeen |
| 2 | Govan Combination | Lanark |
| 3 | Kilfinichen and Iona | Argyll |
| 4 | Edinburgh | Edinburgh |
| 5 | Glasgow | Lanark |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Mcgillvray 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 Mcgillvray, 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 Mcgillvray surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Mcgillvray 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, Mcgillvray 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 Mcgillvray is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Mcgillvray, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname MCGILLVRAY is of Scottish origin, with its roots tracing back to the Highlands of Scotland in the 16th century. It is derived from the Gaelic "Mac Gille Bhràth," which translates to "son of the servant of judgment" or "son of the follower of St. Brade."
The earliest known record of the name appears in the Black Book of Taymouth, a 16th-century manuscript that documents the genealogy of various Scottish clans. In this manuscript, the name is spelled "MacGillivray." The variation "McGillvray" emerged later, reflecting the anglicization of the name.
One of the earliest notable figures with this surname was Æneas McGillvray, a Scottish-born merchant and planter who settled in the British colony of West Florida in the 18th century. McGillvray played a significant role in establishing trade relationships with the Creek and Choctaw Native American tribes.
Another prominent individual with the MCGILLVRAY surname was Alexander McGillvray (1759-1793), a Creek chief and leader who was born to a Scottish father and a Creek mother. He was a skilled diplomat and negotiator, navigating the complex relationships between Native American tribes, European settlers, and colonial powers during the late 18th century.
In the 19th century, John McGillvray (1822-1896), a Scottish-born engineer and surveyor, made significant contributions to the development of infrastructure in Australia. He was involved in the construction of railways, bridges, and other public works projects.
During the same period, William McGillvray (1828-1902), a Scottish-born businessman and philanthropist, established himself in Australia. He amassed a substantial fortune through various business ventures and became a prominent figure in Sydney, supporting numerous charitable causes.
Another notable figure is Angus McGillvray (1896-1973), a Canadian politician and lawyer who served as a member of the House of Commons of Canada, representing the riding of Cape Breton North and Victoria.
The MCGILLVRAY surname is also associated with various place names, particularly in Scotland. For example, the village of McGillvray in Argyll and Bute, Scotland, is believed to have derived its name from the surname.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Mcgillvray 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. Middlesex leads with 1 Mcgillvrays recorded in 1881 and an index of 10.37x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Middlesex | 1 | 10.37x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. St Anne Soho London in Middlesex leads with 1 Mcgillvrays recorded in 1881 and an index of 1666.67x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| St Anne Soho London | 1 | 1666.67x |
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Mcgillvray surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
| Name | Count |
|---|---|
| William | 1 |
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 Mcgillvray households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Chair Maker | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 127 people were recorded with the Mcgillvray surname. That placed it at #17,166 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 48 in 2016. That gives Mcgillvray a modern rank of #35,004.
A Scottish surname derived from the Gaelic meaning "son of the servant" or "follower".
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Mcgillvray 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.