NameCensus.

UK surname

Mckelvey

A Scottish and Irish surname derived from the Gaelic "Mac Duinnshléibhe," meaning "son of Donnsléibhe" (brown mountain).

In the 1881 census there were 79 people recorded with the Mckelvey surname, ranking it #22,357 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 587, ranked #8,864, up from #22,357 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Glossop, Coppenhall and Manchester. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Copeland, Kirklees and Toryglen and Oatlands.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Mckelvey is 613 in 2014. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 643.0%.

1881 census count

79

Ranked #22,357

Modern count

587

2016, ranked #8,864

Peak year

2014

613 bearers

Map years

6

1891 to 2016

Key insights

  • Mckelvey had 79 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #22,357 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 587 in 2016, ranked #8,864.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 172 in 1891.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Spacious Rural Living.

Mckelvey surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Mckelvey surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Mckelvey 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 56 #23,235
1861 historical 75 #24,238
1881 historical 79 #22,357
1891 historical 172 #16,663
1901 historical 168 #16,886
1911 historical 154 #17,553
1997 modern 513 #9,138
1998 modern 528 #9,211
1999 modern 538 #9,134
2000 modern 555 #8,883
2001 modern 557 #8,718
2002 modern 564 #8,811
2003 modern 546 #8,884
2004 modern 535 #9,041
2005 modern 535 #8,983
2006 modern 535 #9,007
2007 modern 528 #9,174
2008 modern 536 #9,139
2009 modern 559 #9,055
2010 modern 598 #8,802
2011 modern 603 #8,660
2012 modern 591 #8,706
2013 modern 601 #8,741
2014 modern 613 #8,654
2015 modern 594 #8,798
2016 modern 587 #8,864

Geography

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Where Mckelveys are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Glossop, Coppenhall, Manchester, Mottram-in-Longdendale and Melcombe Regis. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Copeland, Kirklees, Toryglen and Oatlands, Tweeddale East Area and Hyndburn. 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 Glossop Derbyshire
2 Coppenhall Cheshire
3 Manchester Lancashire
4 Mottram-in-Longdendale Lancashire
5 Melcombe Regis Dorset

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Copeland 004 Copeland
2 Kirklees 005 Kirklees
3 Toryglen and Oatlands Glasgow City
4 Tweeddale East Area Scottish Borders
5 Hyndburn 007 Hyndburn

Forenames

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First names often paired with Mckelvey

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Mckelvey

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

Retired Professionals

Group

Spacious Rural Living

Nationally, the Mckelvey surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Spacious Rural Living, within Retired Professionals. This does not mean every Mckelvey household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

These predominantly ageing households typically have no resident dependent children. Most are owner-occupiers and live in detached houses in low density residential developments (although renting is more common than in the rest of the Supergroup). White ethnicity predominates. Residents are typically beyond retirement age but those still in work have managerial, professional or skilled trade occupations. White ethnicity and Christian religious affiliation predominate. Neighbourhoods are located throughout rural UK.

Wider pattern

Typically married but no longer with resident dependent children, these well-educated households either remain working in their managerial, professional, administrative or other skilled occupations, or are retired from them – the modal individual age is beyond normal retirement age. Underoccupied detached and semi-detached properties predominate, and unpaid care is more prevalent than reported disability. The prevalence of this Supergroup outside most urban conurbations indicates that rural lifestyles prevail, typically sustained by using two or more cars per household.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

London Fringe

Within London, Mckelvey is most associated with areas classed as London Fringe, part of Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs. 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

Predominantly located in neighbourhoods on the outskirts of Greater London, residents of these neighbourhoods typically have their highest qualifications below degree (Level 4) level, with those still in work engaged in skilled trades and occupations in distribution, hotels and restaurants. There is low ethnic diversity in these neighbourhoods and high levels of Christian religious affiliation. Detached or terraced houses predominate, often with spare rooms.

Wider London pattern

The age distribution of these neighbourhoods is skewed towards the middle-aged and old, although few residents live alone or in communal establishments and numbers of dependent children are around average. Owner occupation is the norm, as is residence in detached or semi-detached houses. Residential densities are low and many households have spare rooms. Most residents were born in the UK and, aside from some identifying as members of Chinese or Indian ethnicities, identify as White. Mixed ethnicity households are rare. Incidence of married couples is higher than average and few individuals have never been married. A large proportion of individuals still in employment work in administrative and secretarial occupations, or in the construction industry. Few residents are students, and many households own more than one car.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Mckelvey is most concentrated in decile 10 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier 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.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Mckelvey falls in decile 6 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname near the middle of the scale.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

6
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Mckelvey is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 30-40 mbit/s.

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

6
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Mckelvey

The surname McKelvey is of Scottish origin, tracing its roots back to the 13th century. It is derived from the Gaelic personal name "Gille Chalum," meaning "servant of St. Colum" or "Columba." This name was commonly Anglicized as "Malcolm" and later evolved into various spellings, including McKelvey.

The earliest recorded instance of the name McKelvey can be found in the Ragman Rolls of 1296, a collection of Scottish nobles' pledges of allegiance to King Edward I of England. In this document, the name appears as "M'Colvil." Over time, the spelling evolved to reflect the phonetic pronunciation, resulting in variations like McKelvie, McKelvy, and McKelvey.

One notable historical figure bearing this surname was Sir John McKelvie (1492-1558), a Scottish nobleman and landowner who played a significant role in the Wars of Scottish Independence. He fought alongside Robert the Bruce and was rewarded with lands in Galloway for his loyalty and bravery.

Another prominent individual was James McKelvey (1630-1695), a Presbyterian minister and prolific writer who authored several theological works, including "A Treatise on the Sacraments" and "A Defense of Presbyterianism." His writings were influential in shaping the religious discourse of his time.

In the 18th century, William McKelvey (1720-1798) was a Scottish merchant and philanthropist who made significant contributions to the city of Glasgow. He funded the construction of several schools and hospitals, leaving a lasting legacy in the community.

The McKelvey name also appeared in the United States, with one of the earliest recorded instances being Robert McKelvey (1755-1832), a Scottish immigrant who settled in Pennsylvania and became a prominent farmer and landowner.

Another notable American figure was John McKelvey (1822-1908), a Union Army officer during the American Civil War. He served with distinction and rose to the rank of Brevet Brigadier General, earning recognition for his leadership and valor on the battlefield.

Throughout history, the McKelvey surname has been associated with individuals from various walks of life, including clergy, military officers, merchants, and landowners. While the name may have evolved in its spelling over the centuries, its Scottish roots and connection to the revered St. Columba have remained a consistent thread.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Mckelvey families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Mckelvey 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. Lancashire leads with 7 Mckelveys recorded in 1881 and an index of 4.04x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 7 4.04x
Yorkshire 5 3.45x
Cheshire 2 6.20x
Westmorland 1 31.15x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Everton in Lancashire leads with 6 Mckelveys recorded in 1881 and an index of 108.70x.

Place Total Index
Everton 6 108.70x
Ardsley 5 2941.18x
Hollingworth 2 1538.46x
Kendal 1 169.49x
Walton On Hill 1 106.38x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 3
Edith 1
Eliza 1
Emma 1
Jane 1
Rose 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
James 2
Robert 2
Charles 1
Francis 1
John 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 Mckelvey households.

FAQ

Mckelvey surname: questions and answers

How common was the Mckelvey surname in 1881?

In 1881, 79 people were recorded with the Mckelvey surname. That placed it at #22,357 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Mckelvey surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 587 in 2016. That gives Mckelvey a modern rank of #8,864.

What does the Mckelvey surname mean?

A Scottish and Irish surname derived from the Gaelic "Mac Duinnshléibhe," meaning "son of Donnsléibhe" (brown mountain).

What does the Mckelvey map show?

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