NameCensus.

UK surname

Mcgoogan

An Anglicized version of the Gaelic "Mac Gógáin" meaning "son of Gógán", a personal name of uncertain meaning.

In the 1881 census there were 32 people recorded with the Mcgoogan surname, ranking it #29,082 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 157, ranked #23,006, up from #29,082 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Ardrossan North East, Saltcoats North East and Kelvindale.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Mcgoogan is 169 in 2009. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 390.6%.

1881 census count

32

Ranked #29,082

Modern count

157

2016, ranked #23,006

Peak year

2009

169 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Mcgoogan had 32 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #29,082 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 157 in 2016, ranked #23,006.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 32 in 1881.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Legacy and Demographically Mixed Communities.

Mcgoogan surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Mcgoogan surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Mcgoogan 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 7 #32,070
1861 historical 15 #31,942
1881 historical 32 #29,082
1891 historical 17 #32,787
1901 historical 13 #32,633
1911 historical 5 #33,427
1997 modern 157 #20,513
1998 modern 154 #21,316
1999 modern 150 #21,826
2000 modern 153 #21,520
2001 modern 151 #21,375
2002 modern 144 #22,501
2003 modern 133 #23,359
2004 modern 141 #22,689
2005 modern 147 #22,057
2006 modern 156 #21,399
2007 modern 154 #21,804
2008 modern 167 #20,901
2009 modern 169 #21,190
2010 modern 164 #22,109
2011 modern 158 #22,473
2012 modern 147 #23,567
2013 modern 149 #23,765
2014 modern 155 #23,333
2015 modern 157 #22,997
2016 modern 157 #23,006

Geography

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Where Mcgoogans 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 Ardrossan North East, Saltcoats North East, Kelvindale, Ardrossan Central and Drumpellier and Langloan. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 No data No data

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Ardrossan North East North Ayrshire
2 Saltcoats North East North Ayrshire
3 Kelvindale Glasgow City
4 Ardrossan Central North Ayrshire
5 Drumpellier and Langloan North Lanarkshire

Forenames

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First names often paired with Mcgoogan

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Mcgoogan

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

Legacy Communities

Group

Legacy and Demographically Mixed Communities

Nationally, the Mcgoogan surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Legacy and Demographically Mixed Communities, within Legacy Communities. This does not mean every Mcgoogan household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Households in these areas often include divorced or separated parents and commonly include children and young adults. The age structure is heavily skewed towards the most advanced age groups. Individuals identifying as members of ethnic minorities are not present in large numbers. Flats predominate, with some terraced, semi-detached, and detached units. Multiple car ownership is low, and housing is predominantly in the private and social rented sectors. Employment is less skewed towards traditional routine industrial occupations. Levels of educational attainment are generally low. The Group occurs principally in the Central Lowlands of Scotland and other Scottish towns.

Wider pattern

These neighbourhoods characteristically comprise pockets of flats that are scattered across the UK, particularly in towns that retain or have legacies of heavy industry or are in more remote seaside locations. Employed residents of these neighbourhoods work mainly in low-skilled occupations. Residents typically have limited educational qualifications. Unemployment is above average. Some residents live in overcrowded housing within the social rented sector and experience long-term disability. All adult age groups are represented, although there is an overall age bias towards elderly people in general and the very old in particular. Individuals identifying as belonging to ethnic minorities or Mixed or Multiple ethnic groups are uncommon.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Mcgoogan is most associated with areas classed as Skilled Trades and Construction 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

These scattered, peripheral and often low residential density neighbourhoods house more workers in skilled trades and construction. Few households rent social housing and there are few students. Multiple car ownership is higher than the Supergroup average, perhaps because of poorer public transport connectivity. Incidence of mixed or multiple ethnicity is below the Supergroup average, and the absence of individuals identifying as Pakistani or Other Asian groups is also less pronounced. Flatted accommodation is less dominant than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

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

Mcgoogan is most concentrated in decile 2 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.

2
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Mcgoogan 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 Mcgoogan is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 50-60 mbit/s.

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

8
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - Irish

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

Meaning and origin of Mcgoogan

The surname MCGOOGAN has its origins in Ireland and can be traced back to the 16th century. It is derived from the Irish Gaelic name "Mac Uogain," which means "son of Ogan" or "son of the offspring." This suggests that the name was originally a patronymic, indicating the son of a person named Ogan.

The earliest recorded mention of the MCGOOGAN surname appears in the Annals of the Four Masters, a chronicle of medieval Irish history compiled in the 17th century. It references a prominent family with this name residing in County Monaghan, where the name was particularly prevalent.

In the 18th century, the MCGOOGAN name gained recognition through the exploits of Patrick MCGOOGAN (1715-1790), a renowned Irish harper and composer. His contributions to traditional Irish music helped preserve the cultural heritage of his era.

Another notable figure was Michael MCGOOGAN (1830-1901), a prominent Irish-American politician who served as the Mayor of Brooklyn, New York, in the late 19th century. His political career and influence within the Irish-American community made him a well-known figure of his time.

The MCGOOGAN surname also has a connection to County Armagh, where there was a historical townland called "McGoogan's Hill." This place name appeared in various 18th and 19th century records, reflecting the presence of families bearing this surname in the area.

In the late 19th century, William MCGOOGAN (1860-1932), an Irish-born engineer, made significant contributions to the construction of the Panama Canal. His expertise in civil engineering and his role in this monumental project brought recognition to the MCGOOGAN name on an international stage.

Additionally, the MCGOOGAN surname has been recorded with various spelling variations over the centuries, including McGougan, McGougen, McGogan, and McGoggan, reflecting the evolution of the name through oral tradition and regional dialects.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Mcgoogan families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Mcgoogan 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. Ayrshire leads with 1 Mcgoogans recorded in 1881 and an index of 138.89x.

County Total Index
Ayrshire 1 138.89x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Kilwinning in Ayrshire leads with 1 Mcgoogans recorded in 1881 and an index of 5000.00x.

Place Total Index
Kilwinning 1 5000.00x

FAQ

Mcgoogan surname: questions and answers

How common was the Mcgoogan surname in 1881?

In 1881, 32 people were recorded with the Mcgoogan surname. That placed it at #29,082 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Mcgoogan surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 157 in 2016. That gives Mcgoogan a modern rank of #23,006.

What does the Mcgoogan surname mean?

An Anglicized version of the Gaelic "Mac Gógáin" meaning "son of Gógán", a personal name of uncertain meaning.

What does the Mcgoogan map show?

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