NameCensus.

UK surname

Mcgown

Scottish surname derived from the Gaelic "Mac Gobhann" meaning "son of the smith."

In the 1881 census there were 748 people recorded with the Mcgown surname, ranking it #4,914 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 385, ranked #12,232, down from #4,914 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to New Monkland, Bothwell and Govan Combination. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include IZ14, Pitlochry and IZ12.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Mcgown is 800 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 48.5%.

1881 census count

748

Ranked #4,914

Modern count

385

2016, ranked #12,232

Peak year

1861

800 bearers

Map years

8

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Mcgown had 748 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #4,914 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 385 in 2016, ranked #12,232.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 800 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Legacy and Demographically Mixed Communities.

Mcgown surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Mcgown surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Mcgown 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 657 #3,951
1861 historical 800 #3,432
1881 historical 748 #4,914
1891 historical 620 #6,235
1901 historical 633 #6,780
1911 historical 70 #25,853
1997 modern 361 #11,892
1998 modern 366 #12,148
1999 modern 390 #11,660
2000 modern 379 #11,855
2001 modern 375 #11,774
2002 modern 378 #11,939
2003 modern 367 #11,988
2004 modern 378 #11,757
2005 modern 367 #11,956
2006 modern 374 #11,822
2007 modern 377 #11,900
2008 modern 373 #12,104
2009 modern 376 #12,290
2010 modern 374 #12,597
2011 modern 372 #12,519
2012 modern 374 #12,324
2013 modern 379 #12,399
2014 modern 389 #12,258
2015 modern 379 #12,385
2016 modern 385 #12,232

Geography

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Where Mcgowns are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around New Monkland, Bothwell, Govan Combination, Cardross and Bonhill. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to IZ14, Pitlochry, IZ12, Holytown and IZ08. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 New Monkland Lanark
2 Bothwell Lanark
3 Govan Combination Lanark
4 Cardross Dunbarton
5 Bonhill Dunbarton

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 IZ14 West Dunbartonshire
2 Pitlochry Perth and Kinross
3 IZ12 West Dunbartonshire
4 Holytown North Lanarkshire
5 IZ08 West Dunbartonshire

Forenames

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First names often paired with Mcgown

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Mcgown

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Mcgown, 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 Mcgown surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Legacy and Demographically Mixed Communities, within Legacy Communities. This does not mean every Mcgown 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

Social Rented Sector Families with Children

Group

Social Rented Sector Pockets

Within London, Mcgown is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Pockets, part of Social Rented Sector Families with Children. 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

Found in pockets across London, residents are less likely to live in private sector rentals and fewer adults are students. Fewer individuals work in transport and communications occupations relative to the Supergroup average. More individuals identify as Black and were born in Africa.

Wider London pattern

Residents of these neighbourhoods include sizable numbers identifying with ethnicities originating outside Europe, particularly in Africa or Bangladesh. The proportion of residents identifying as White, Indian or Pakistani is well below the London average. Neighbourhood age profiles are skewed towards younger adults, and above average numbers of families have children. Rates of use of English at home are below average. Marriage rates are low, and levels of separation or divorce are above average. Housing is predominantly in flats, and renting in the social rented sector the norm - few residents are owner occupiers. Housing is often overcrowded, and neighbourhoods are amongst the most densely populated in London. Disability rates are above average, although levels of unpaid care provision are about average. Employment is in caring, leisure, other service occupations, sales and customer service, or process, plant, and machine operation. Part time working and full-time student study are common. Levels of unemployment are slightly above average. Most residents have only Level 1 or 2 educational qualifications or have completed apprenticeships.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Mcgown 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

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

Meaning and origin of Mcgown

The surname McGown has its origins in Ireland and Scotland, dating back to the 12th century. It is a variant of the Gaelic name "Mac Gowan," which translates to "son of the smith" or "son of the blacksmith." This occupational surname was initially given to those who practiced the trade of blacksmithing.

The earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in ancient Irish and Scottish records, often appearing as "Mac Gowan" or "MacGowan." One notable historical reference is the mention of a "John MacGowan" in the Scottish Parliamentary Rolls of 1466, indicating the name's presence in medieval times.

In the 16th and 17th centuries, the McGown surname began to spread across Ireland, particularly in counties like Donegal, Antrim, and Down. During this period, variations in spelling emerged, including "McGowen," "McGoun," and "McGowne," reflecting the regional dialects and phonetic adaptations of the name.

One of the earliest known bearers of the McGown surname was Sir John McGown (1561-1637), a Scottish nobleman and military commander who served in the Army of the Scottish Covenant during the Wars of the Three Kingdoms. He played a significant role in the Scottish resistance against King Charles I.

Another notable figure was Robert McGown (1744-1818), an Irish-born American soldier who fought in the American Revolutionary War. He served under General George Washington and was recognized for his bravery and leadership during various battles.

In the late 18th century, the McGown surname gained prominence in Scotland with the birth of John McGown (1773-1846), a renowned Scottish architect and civil engineer. He was responsible for designing several notable buildings in Edinburgh, including the iconic Calton Hill Observatory.

As the surname spread across the British Isles and beyond, it continued to evolve, with variations such as "McGovern" and "Magowan" emerging in different regions. However, the core meaning and etymology remained rooted in its occupational origins as "son of the blacksmith."

Throughout history, several other individuals with the McGown surname have left their mark in various fields, including William McGown (1857-1932), an Irish-American politician and lawyer who served as the Mayor of Omaha, Nebraska, and James McGown (1885-1961), a Scottish-born Australian politician and trade unionist who played a significant role in the labor movement.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Mcgown families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Mcgown 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. Denbighshire leads with 9 Mcgowns recorded in 1881 and an index of 93.95x.

County Total Index
Denbighshire 9 93.95x
Cheshire 6 10.72x
Middlesex 5 1.97x
Essex 3 5.99x
Cumberland 1 4.58x
Hampshire 1 1.92x
Lancashire 1 0.33x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Llanfwrog in Denbighshire leads with 9 Mcgowns recorded in 1881 and an index of 7500.00x.

Place Total Index
Llanfwrog 9 7500.00x
Little Neston 6 6666.67x
Hackney London 5 35.16x
Chingford 3 2500.00x
Caldewgate 1 83.33x
Cheetham 1 44.64x
Sheet 1 1666.67x

Top female names

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

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 5
Jas. 1
John 1
Patrick 1
Richard 1
Thos. 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 Mcgown households.

FAQ

Mcgown surname: questions and answers

How common was the Mcgown surname in 1881?

In 1881, 748 people were recorded with the Mcgown surname. That placed it at #4,914 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Mcgown surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 385 in 2016. That gives Mcgown a modern rank of #12,232.

What does the Mcgown surname mean?

Scottish surname derived from the Gaelic "Mac Gobhann" meaning "son of the smith."

What does the Mcgown map show?

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