NameCensus.

UK surname

Mckendrick

A Scottish surname derived from a place name meaning "son of the wise leader."

In the 1881 census there were 935 people recorded with the Mckendrick surname, ranking it #4,120 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,454, ranked #4,230, down from #4,120 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Govan Combination, Edinburgh and Greenock. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Johnstone North West, Newmains and Johnstone South West.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Mckendrick is 1,483 in 2000. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 55.5%.

1881 census count

935

Ranked #4,120

Modern count

1,454

2016, ranked #4,230

Peak year

2000

1,483 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Mckendrick had 935 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #4,120 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,454 in 2016, ranked #4,230.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1,224 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Legacy and Demographically Mixed Communities.

Mckendrick surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Mckendrick surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Mckendrick 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 399 #6,051
1861 historical 539 #4,868
1881 historical 935 #4,120
1891 historical 970 #4,266
1901 historical 1,224 #4,041
1911 historical 134 #19,131
1997 modern 1,410 #4,117
1998 modern 1,439 #4,190
1999 modern 1,437 #4,214
2000 modern 1,483 #4,102
2001 modern 1,425 #4,159
2002 modern 1,417 #4,253
2003 modern 1,385 #4,257
2004 modern 1,384 #4,268
2005 modern 1,374 #4,256
2006 modern 1,377 #4,254
2007 modern 1,413 #4,199
2008 modern 1,452 #4,134
2009 modern 1,454 #4,218
2010 modern 1,451 #4,295
2011 modern 1,438 #4,281
2012 modern 1,433 #4,230
2013 modern 1,432 #4,299
2014 modern 1,458 #4,263
2015 modern 1,449 #4,246
2016 modern 1,454 #4,230

Geography

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Where Mckendricks are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Govan Combination, Edinburgh, Greenock, Glasgow and Paisley Abbey. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Johnstone North West, Newmains, Johnstone South West, Northumberland and Hunter's Quay. 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 Edinburgh Edinburgh
3 Greenock Renfrew
4 Glasgow Lanark
5 Paisley Abbey Renfrew

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Johnstone North West Renfrewshire
2 Newmains North Lanarkshire
3 Johnstone South West Renfrewshire
4 Northumberland 002 Northumberland
5 Hunter's Quay Argyll and Bute

Forenames

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First names often paired with Mckendrick

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Mckendrick

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

Mckendrick 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

Mckendrick falls in decile 3 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.

3
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Mckendrick 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 Mckendrick, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Mckendrick

The surname McKendrick has its origins in Scotland, with records of the name dating back to the 12th century. It is derived from the Gaelic personal name "Eanruig," meaning "born of wealth" or "born wealthy." The prefix "Mac" in Gaelic means "son of," indicating that the original bearer was the son of someone named Eanruig.

The earliest known reference to the name McKendrick is found in the Ragman Rolls of 1296, where it is recorded as "MacEanric." This document contains the names of Scottish landowners who swore allegiance to King Edward I of England during the Scottish Wars of Independence.

In the 15th century, the name appeared in various Scottish records with spellings such as "McKenrick," "McKendrik," and "McKendryke." These variations likely stemmed from regional dialects and scribal errors in the transcription of the name.

One notable figure in Scottish history with the McKendrick name was John McKendrick, a wealthy merchant and landowner who lived in Glasgow in the late 16th century. He was a prominent member of the city's Guild of Merchants and played a significant role in the development of Glasgow's trade and commerce.

Another individual of note was Sir William McKendrick (1758-1833), a Scottish soldier and landowner who served in the British Army during the Napoleonic Wars. He was awarded the prestigious Order of the Bath for his military service and later became a Member of Parliament for the county of Perthshire.

In the 19th century, the McKendrick name gained recognition through the achievements of John Greig McKendrick (1841-1926), a pioneering Scottish physiologist and academic. He made significant contributions to the study of human physiology and served as the Regius Professor of Physiology at the University of Glasgow.

The name McKendrick is also associated with the Scottish village of Kendrick, located in Ayrshire. It is believed that some bearers of the surname may have taken their name from this place, although the exact connection is unclear.

Other notable individuals with the surname McKendrick include the American theologian and author Francis McKendrick (1834-1917), and the Scottish composer and musician Hamish McKendrick (1903-1989), known for his contributions to traditional Scottish folk music.

While the McKendrick name has its roots in Scotland, it has since spread to other parts of the world, particularly through Scottish emigration and settlement in various countries. However, its origins and historical significance remain closely tied to its Scottish heritage and the rich tapestry of Scottish culture and traditions.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Mckendrick families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Mckendrick 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 9 Mckendricks recorded in 1881 and an index of 6.22x.

County Total Index
Yorkshire 9 6.22x
Warwickshire 5 13.57x
Royal Navy 1 57.47x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Middlesbrough in Yorkshire leads with 9 Mckendricks recorded in 1881 and an index of 478.72x.

Place Total Index
Middlesbrough 9 478.72x
Aston 5 49.31x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 2
Edith 1
Elizabeth 1
Jessie 1
Margaret 1
Martha 1
Minnie 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
George 2
Arthur 1
David 1
John 1
Thomas 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 Mckendrick households.

FAQ

Mckendrick surname: questions and answers

How common was the Mckendrick surname in 1881?

In 1881, 935 people were recorded with the Mckendrick surname. That placed it at #4,120 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Mckendrick surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,454 in 2016. That gives Mckendrick a modern rank of #4,230.

What does the Mckendrick surname mean?

A Scottish surname derived from a place name meaning "son of the wise leader."

What does the Mckendrick map show?

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