NameCensus.

UK surname

Mcinally

A Scottish surname originating as a patronymic meaning "son of the servant of the wealthy one."

In the 1881 census there were 586 people recorded with the Mcinally surname, ranking it #5,952 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,954, ranked #3,285, up from #5,952 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to New Monkland, Govan Combination and Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Braidfauld, Roystonhill, Blochairn, and Provanmill and Alloa South and East.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Mcinally is 1,954 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 233.4%.

1881 census count

586

Ranked #5,952

Modern count

1,954

2016, ranked #3,285

Peak year

2016

1,954 bearers

Map years

8

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Mcinally had 586 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #5,952 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,954 in 2016, ranked #3,285.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 933 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Legacy and Demographically Mixed Communities.

Mcinally surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Mcinally surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Mcinally 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 127 #14,547
1861 historical 193 #12,371
1881 historical 586 #5,952
1891 historical 723 #5,460
1901 historical 933 #5,002
1911 historical 11 #32,463
1997 modern 1,695 #3,522
1998 modern 1,759 #3,528
1999 modern 1,766 #3,538
2000 modern 1,762 #3,533
2001 modern 1,749 #3,478
2002 modern 1,794 #3,467
2003 modern 1,774 #3,437
2004 modern 1,780 #3,432
2005 modern 1,798 #3,371
2006 modern 1,789 #3,392
2007 modern 1,816 #3,374
2008 modern 1,848 #3,352
2009 modern 1,920 #3,315
2010 modern 1,924 #3,380
2011 modern 1,866 #3,428
2012 modern 1,865 #3,384
2013 modern 1,884 #3,402
2014 modern 1,928 #3,356
2015 modern 1,936 #3,319
2016 modern 1,954 #3,285

Geography

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Where Mcinallys are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around New Monkland, Govan Combination, Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry, Glasgow and Old Monkland. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Braidfauld, Roystonhill, Blochairn, and Provanmill, Alloa South and East, High Blantyre and Keppochhill. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 New Monkland Lanark
2 Govan Combination Lanark
3 Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry Forfar
4 Glasgow Lanark
5 Old Monkland Lanark

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Braidfauld Glasgow City
2 Roystonhill, Blochairn, and Provanmill Glasgow City
3 Alloa South and East Clackmannanshire
4 High Blantyre South Lanarkshire
5 Keppochhill Glasgow City

Forenames

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First names often paired with Mcinally

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Mcinally

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

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Mcinally 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

Mcinally 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

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

Meaning and origin of Mcinally

The surname McInally has its origins in Scotland and dates back to the 12th century. It is derived from the Gaelic 'Mac an Fhaillighe' which translates to 'son of the modest one'. The name is thought to have originated in the regions of Argyll and Bute in the Scottish Highlands.

One of the earliest recorded references to the name is found in the Ragman Rolls of 1296, a document containing the names of Scottish landowners who swore allegiance to King Edward I of England. The name appears as 'M'Ynally', an early spelling variation.

In the 15th century, the name is mentioned in the Exchequer Rolls of Scotland, which were records of royal revenue and expenditure. An entry from 1456 refers to a 'John McInally' from the town of Inveraray in Argyll.

The McInallys were a prominent clan in the Scottish Highlands, with their stronghold located in the village of Kilmichael Glassary in Argyll. The name is associated with several place names in the region, such as Inallys Farm and McInally's Hill.

One of the earliest known individuals with the surname was Duncan McInally, a Scottish chieftain who lived in the late 14th century. He was renowned for his leadership in battles against the English during the Wars of Scottish Independence.

Another notable figure was Sir John McInally (1610-1679), a Scottish soldier who fought for the Royalist cause during the English Civil War. He was knighted for his bravery in the Battle of Worcester in 1651.

In the 18th century, Robert McInally (1732-1802) was a Scottish minister and author who published several works on theology and philosophy. He served as the minister of the parish of Kilbarchan in Renfrewshire.

In the literary world, Archibald McInally (1825-1892) was a Scottish poet and journalist who wrote extensively about the culture and heritage of the Scottish Highlands. His most famous work was the collection of poems titled "The Heather Bells of Scotland".

Lastly, James McInally (1880-1956) was a Scottish footballer who played for several clubs in the early 20th century, including Rangers and Manchester United. He is considered one of the pioneering players in the history of Scottish football.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Mcinally families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Mcinally 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. Royal Navy leads with 1 Mcinallys recorded in 1881 and an index of 909.09x.

County Total Index
Royal Navy 1 909.09x

FAQ

Mcinally surname: questions and answers

How common was the Mcinally surname in 1881?

In 1881, 586 people were recorded with the Mcinally surname. That placed it at #5,952 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Mcinally surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,954 in 2016. That gives Mcinally a modern rank of #3,285.

What does the Mcinally surname mean?

A Scottish surname originating as a patronymic meaning "son of the servant of the wealthy one."

What does the Mcinally map show?

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