NameCensus.

UK surname

Mckinnell

Of Scottish origin, meaning "son of the handsome lad" or "attractive youth".

In the 1881 census there were 324 people recorded with the Mckinnell surname, ranking it #9,214 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 473, ranked #10,409, down from #9,214 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Colvend and Southwick, Govan Combination and Edinburgh. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include IZ20, Cheshire East and Kingholm.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Mckinnell is 504 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 46.0%.

1881 census count

324

Ranked #9,214

Modern count

473

2016, ranked #10,409

Peak year

2010

504 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Mckinnell had 324 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #9,214 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 473 in 2016, ranked #10,409.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 410 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Mckinnell surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Mckinnell surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Mckinnell 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 208 #10,107
1861 historical 270 #9,216
1881 historical 324 #9,214
1891 historical 382 #9,203
1901 historical 410 #9,322
1911 historical 205 #14,733
1997 modern 471 #9,732
1998 modern 489 #9,760
1999 modern 500 #9,661
2000 modern 487 #9,819
2001 modern 472 #9,873
2002 modern 491 #9,752
2003 modern 485 #9,701
2004 modern 470 #9,958
2005 modern 493 #9,536
2006 modern 492 #9,590
2007 modern 488 #9,740
2008 modern 492 #9,771
2009 modern 495 #9,942
2010 modern 504 #10,002
2011 modern 485 #10,180
2012 modern 480 #10,168
2013 modern 500 #10,023
2014 modern 489 #10,253
2015 modern 474 #10,418
2016 modern 473 #10,409

Geography

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Where Mckinnells are most common

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

The modern local-area list points to IZ20, Cheshire East, Kingholm, Barrow-in-Furness and Coventry. 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 Colvend and Southwick Kirkcudbright
2 Govan Combination Lanark
3 Edinburgh Edinburgh
4 Dumfries Dumfries
5 Glasgow Lanark

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 IZ20 East Lothian
2 Cheshire East 016 Cheshire East
3 Kingholm Dumfries and Galloway
4 Barrow-in-Furness 010 Barrow-in-Furness
5 Coventry 029 Coventry

Forenames

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First names often paired with Mckinnell

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Mckinnell

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

Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities

Group

Ageing Communities

Nationally, the Mckinnell surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ageing Communities, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Mckinnell household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many residents are of normal retirement age or above and live in communal establishments, and there are few dependent children. The dominant property type is a mix of retirement flats and detached houses. Those in work are likely to be employed in managerial and professional occupations, and many residents are educated to degree level. Levels of owner occupation are high, but the private rental sector is also present. Rural locations predominate.

Wider pattern

Pervasive throughout the UK, members of this Supergroup typically own (or are buying) their detached, semi-detached or terraced homes. They are also typically educated to A Level/Highers or degree level and work in skilled or professional occupations. Typically born in the UK, some families have children, although the median adult age is above 45 and some property has become under-occupied after children have left home. This Supergroup is pervasive not only in suburban locations, but also in neighbourhoods at or beyond the edge of cities that adjoin rural parts of the country.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Central Connected Professionals and Managers

Group

Senior Professionals

Within London, Mckinnell is most associated with areas classed as Senior Professionals, 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

These very central neighbourhoods house residents whose ages are more skewed towards older age cohorts than elsewhere in the Supergroup. Few households have young children. Rates of illness are low. Indian ethnicity is rare compared to the Supergroup mean. Property under occupation is more common, despite the centrality of neighbourhoods, and more residents live in communal establishments than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

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

Mckinnell 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

Mckinnell falls in decile 5 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.

5
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Mckinnell

The surname McKinnell originated in Scotland during the medieval period. It is a locational name derived from the lands of Kinnell or Kinnell House, a historic estate located near the village of Arbroath in Angus, Scotland. The name is believed to be derived from the Gaelic words "ceann" meaning head and "ail" meaning rock or cliff, referring to a prominent rocky headland in the area.

The earliest known written record of the name McKinnell can be found in the Ragman Rolls of 1296, which documented those who swore allegiance to King Edward I of England. The name appears as "William de Kynnel" in this document, indicating the family's connection to the lands of Kinnell.

In the 16th century, a notable figure bearing the McKinnell name was Sir John McKinnell, who served as the Provost of Arbroath from 1554 to 1560. He played a significant role in the Scottish Reformation and was a supporter of the Protestant cause.

Another prominent individual with the McKinnell surname was Alexander McKinnell, born in 1686, who was a prominent merchant and landowner in the town of Montrose, Scotland. He contributed greatly to the local economy and was involved in various civic affairs.

In the 18th century, James McKinnell (1732-1807) was a Scottish minister and theologian who served as the Minister of Monikie Parish Church in Angus. He was known for his scholarly works and his contributions to the Church of Scotland.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the McKinnell name in North America can be traced to John McKinnell, who was born in Scotland in 1745 and later emigrated to Nova Scotia, Canada. He settled in Pictou County and became a prominent farmer and landowner in the region.

Another notable figure was Sir William McKinnell (1856-1939), a Scottish businessman and industrialist who co-founded the Scottish engineering firm, William Beardmore and Company. He was knighted in 1914 for his contributions to the shipbuilding and munitions industries during World War I.

Throughout history, the McKinnell surname has been associated with the Scottish Lowlands, particularly the regions of Angus and Forfarshire. While different spelling variations such as McKinnall, McKinnel, and McKinell have existed, the predominant form has remained McKinnell.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Mckinnell families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Mckinnell 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 6 Mckinnells recorded in 1881 and an index of 4.33x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 6 4.33x
Cumberland 4 39.76x
Yorkshire 2 1.73x

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 Mckinnells recorded in 1881 and an index of 135.75x.

Place Total Index
Everton 6 135.75x
Caldewgate 4 727.27x
Middlesbrough 2 132.45x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Jane 2
Agnes 1
Elizabeth 1
Katherine 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
Andrew 2
James 1
Robert 1
Robt. 1
William 1
Willm. 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 Mckinnell households.

FAQ

Mckinnell surname: questions and answers

How common was the Mckinnell surname in 1881?

In 1881, 324 people were recorded with the Mckinnell surname. That placed it at #9,214 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Mckinnell surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 473 in 2016. That gives Mckinnell a modern rank of #10,409.

What does the Mckinnell surname mean?

Of Scottish origin, meaning "son of the handsome lad" or "attractive youth".

What does the Mckinnell map show?

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