NameCensus.

UK surname

Mckell

A Scottish surname derived from a nickname meaning 'son of the keen/bright one'.

In the 1881 census there were 157 people recorded with the Mckell surname, ranking it #15,046 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 327, ranked #13,868, up from #15,046 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Govan Combination, Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry and Glasgow. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Helensburgh East, IZ14 and Bradford.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Mckell is 344 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 108.3%.

1881 census count

157

Ranked #15,046

Modern count

327

2016, ranked #13,868

Peak year

2010

344 bearers

Map years

8

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Mckell had 157 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #15,046 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 327 in 2016, ranked #13,868.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 196 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Legacy and Demographically Mixed Communities.

Mckell surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Mckell surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Mckell 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 110 #16,093
1861 historical 110 #19,562
1881 historical 157 #15,046
1891 historical 156 #17,842
1901 historical 196 #15,329
1911 historical 47 #28,110
1997 modern 296 #13,646
1998 modern 294 #14,060
1999 modern 292 #14,204
2000 modern 278 #14,659
2001 modern 268 #14,812
2002 modern 286 #14,442
2003 modern 290 #14,134
2004 modern 304 #13,783
2005 modern 312 #13,462
2006 modern 306 #13,724
2007 modern 307 #13,822
2008 modern 313 #13,746
2009 modern 338 #13,302
2010 modern 344 #13,393
2011 modern 323 #13,868
2012 modern 316 #13,994
2013 modern 321 #14,073
2014 modern 323 #14,081
2015 modern 320 #14,090
2016 modern 327 #13,868

Geography

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Where Mckells are most common

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

The modern local-area list points to Helensburgh East, IZ14, Bradford, Whitfield and IZ18. 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 Govan Combination Lanark
2 Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry Forfar
3 Glasgow Lanark
4 Bradford Yorkshire, West Riding
5 Gargrave Yorkshire, West Riding

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Helensburgh East Argyll and Bute
2 IZ14 West Dunbartonshire
3 Bradford 023 Bradford
4 Whitfield Dundee City
5 IZ18 West Dunbartonshire

Forenames

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First names often paired with Mckell

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Mckell

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

Central Connected Professionals and Managers

Group

City Support Workers

Within London, Mckell is most associated with areas classed as City Support Workers, part of Central Connected Professionals and Managers. 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

Scattered throughout Inner London, these areas house relatively few workers in the most senior roles within organisations, and greater prevalence of administrative roles relative to the Supergroup mean. Residents are less likely to be of Chinese ethnicity and are more likely to have been born in Africa. Relative to the Supergroup average, residents are also more likely to live in social housing and live in overcrowded conditions.

Wider London pattern

Adult residents of these neighbourhoods are typically aged 25 to 44, working full-time in professional, managerial or associate professional occupations. There are few families with dependent children. The predominantly Inner London neighbourhoods have an international character, including many residents born elsewhere in Europe alongside high numbers of individuals identifying as of Chinese ethnicity. Many individuals are never married, childless and/or living alone. Above average numbers of individuals, likely to be full-time students, live in communal establishments. Elsewhere, privately rented flats are the dominant housing type. Residents of these areas are well-qualified, with a significant number holding Level 4 or above qualifications. There is a correspondingly high level of individuals employed full-time in professional, managerial and associated professional or technical occupations. Employing industries are financial, real estate, professional, administration, and, to a lesser degree, transport and communications. Unemployment is uncommon.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Mckell 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

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

Meaning and origin of Mckell

The surname McKell has its origins in Scotland, where it first emerged in the late 12th century. It is a variant of the surname MacKell, which is derived from the Gaelic personal name Calum or Callum, itself a Scottish form of the Latin name Columba, meaning "dove." The prefix "Mac" means "son of" in Gaelic.

The McKell surname was initially concentrated in the Scottish Highlands, particularly in the regions of Argyll and the Western Isles. Early records show various spellings such as McKele, McKaill, and McKayle, reflecting the fluid nature of surname spellings in medieval times.

One of the earliest known references to the name can be found in the Exchequer Rolls of Scotland from 1264, which mention a "John M'Kele." Additionally, the name appears in the Ragman Rolls of 1296, a collection of feudal homage records, suggesting that bearers of the name held land at that time.

In the 16th century, the McKell surname gained prominence with the rise of Dougal McKell, a prominent Scottish mercenary and soldier who fought in the service of King James IV of Scotland. Dougal McKell is recorded as participating in the Battle of Flodden in 1513, where he was reportedly killed.

Another notable figure was Archibald McKell (1685-1744), a Scottish philosopher and academic who served as the Principal of the University of Glasgow from 1724 until his death.

The McKell surname has also been associated with various place names in Scotland, such as McKell's Bay on the Isle of Islay and McKell's Glen in Argyll.

Other historical figures bearing the McKell surname include:

1. John McKell (1560-1632), a Scottish merchant and landowner from Ayrshire. 2. Donald McKell (1685-1757), a Scottish Presbyterian minister and theologian. 3. Margaret McKell (1738-1798), a Scottish poet and writer from Dumfries. 4. James McKell (1810-1879), a Scottish-born Australian politician and landowner who served as a member of the New South Wales Legislative Council. 5. William McKell (1891-1985), an Australian politician who served as the 22nd Premier of New South Wales from 1941 to 1947 and later as the 12th Governor-General of Australia from 1947 to 1953.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Mckell families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Mckell 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. Yorkshire leads with 8 Mckells recorded in 1881 and an index of 6.91x.

County Total Index
Yorkshire 8 6.91x
Cumberland 2 19.88x
Durham 1 2.88x
Lancashire 1 0.72x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Eccleshill in Yorkshire leads with 5 Mckells recorded in 1881 and an index of 1785.71x.

Place Total Index
Eccleshill 5 1785.71x
Bradford 3 107.14x
Whitehaven 2 370.37x
Cheetham 1 97.09x
Stockton On Tees 1 59.52x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 2
Annie 1
Cathrine 1
Elizabeth 1
Sarah 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 2
George 1
James 1
Moses 1
Robert 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 Mckell households.

FAQ

Mckell surname: questions and answers

How common was the Mckell surname in 1881?

In 1881, 157 people were recorded with the Mckell surname. That placed it at #15,046 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Mckell surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 327 in 2016. That gives Mckell a modern rank of #13,868.

What does the Mckell surname mean?

A Scottish surname derived from a nickname meaning 'son of the keen/bright one'.

What does the Mckell map show?

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