NameCensus.

UK surname

Mckinnon

A Scottish surname derived from the Gaelic "Mac Fhionghuin," meaning "son of Fingon," a personal name of unknown origin.

In the 1881 census there were 6,303 people recorded with the Mckinnon surname, ranking it #682 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 3,863, ranked #1,753, down from #682 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Duirnish, Govan Combination and Strath. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Braeside, Branchton, Lower Larkfield and Ravenscraig, Dunterlie, East Arthurlie and Dovecothall and Arran.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Mckinnon is 6,854 in 1901. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 38.7%.

1881 census count

6,303

Ranked #682

Modern count

3,863

2016, ranked #1,753

Peak year

1901

6,854 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Mckinnon had 6,303 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #682 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 3,863 in 2016, ranked #1,753.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 6,854 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Legacy and Demographically Mixed Communities.

Mckinnon surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Mckinnon surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Mckinnon 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 5,332 #518
1861 historical 4,966 #567
1881 historical 6,303 #682
1891 historical 6,162 #749
1901 historical 6,854 #808
1911 historical 443 #8,611
1997 modern 3,436 #1,886
1998 modern 3,514 #1,919
1999 modern 3,591 #1,894
2000 modern 3,619 #1,875
2001 modern 3,496 #1,894
2002 modern 3,582 #1,895
2003 modern 3,500 #1,888
2004 modern 3,516 #1,881
2005 modern 3,503 #1,863
2006 modern 3,542 #1,848
2007 modern 3,582 #1,839
2008 modern 3,586 #1,850
2009 modern 3,683 #1,845
2010 modern 3,824 #1,820
2011 modern 3,755 #1,828
2012 modern 3,707 #1,816
2013 modern 3,762 #1,823
2014 modern 3,816 #1,804
2015 modern 3,827 #1,776
2016 modern 3,863 #1,753

Geography

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Where Mckinnons are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Duirnish, Govan Combination, Strath, Edinburgh and Tiree and Coll. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Braeside, Branchton, Lower Larkfield and Ravenscraig, Dunterlie, East Arthurlie and Dovecothall, Arran, Deans Village and Greenock East. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 Duirnish Inverness
2 Govan Combination Lanark
3 Strath Inverness
4 Edinburgh Edinburgh
5 Tiree and Coll Argyll

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Braeside, Branchton, Lower Larkfield and Ravenscraig Inverclyde
2 Dunterlie, East Arthurlie and Dovecothall East Renfrewshire
3 Arran North Ayrshire
4 Deans Village City of Edinburgh
5 Greenock East Inverclyde

Forenames

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First names often paired with Mckinnon

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Mckinnon

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

Mckinnon 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

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

Meaning and origin of Mckinnon

The surname McKinnon is of Scottish origin and dates back to the medieval era, emerging around the 12th century. It originated from the Gaelic "Mac Ionmhuinn," meaning "son of the beloved one." The name was initially found in the areas of Argyll, near the town of Lochgilphead, and the neighboring islands of Islay, Jura, and Mull.

The earliest recorded instances of the name can be traced back to the 13th century. One of the earliest mentions is in the Exchequer Rolls of Scotland from 1264, which refer to a "Gillecrist MacInamin." The name is also found in the Ragman Rolls of 1296, which list individuals who swore allegiance to King Edward I of England, including "Gilleconil Makinnoyn" from the county of Argyll.

In the 16th century, the McKinnons were a prominent clan in the Hebrides islands, particularly on the Isle of Skye. They were known for their involvement in the clan feuds and battles that were common during that period. One notable figure was John McKinnon, also known as "Iain Og," who served as the clan chief in the late 16th century.

The McKinnons were also associated with several place names in Scotland, such as Kinnon's Loch and Kinnon's Burn on the Isle of Islay. The name also had various spellings over time, including McKinnon, MacKinnon, McKinnon, and McKynnon.

Among the notable individuals bearing the McKinnon surname throughout history are:

1. Daniel McKinnon (1836-1888), a Canadian politician who served as a member of the House of Commons of Canada for the riding of Marquette. 2. Ranald McKinnon (1839-1926), a Scottish-Canadian explorer and trader who played a significant role in the exploration of the Canadian Arctic. 3. Neil McKinnon (1900-1953), a Scottish footballer who played for clubs like Rangers and Partick Thistle in the early 20th century. 4. Kenneth McKinnon (1920-1999), a British actor known for his roles in films like "The Prisoner of Zenda" and television series like "The Saint." 5. Alex McKinnon (born 1992), an Australian former professional rugby league player who played for the Newcastle Knights in the National Rugby League.

The McKinnon surname has a rich history rooted in the Scottish Highlands and Islands, with its origins dating back to the medieval era. It has been borne by notable individuals across various fields, including politics, exploration, sports, and entertainment.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Mckinnon families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Mckinnon 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 20 Mckinnons recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.08x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 20 2.08x
Lanarkshire 7 2.67x
Northumberland 6 4.98x
Inverness-shire 5 20.68x
Renfrewshire 5 7.97x
Yorkshire 5 0.62x
Ayrshire 3 4.95x
Essex 3 1.88x
Middlesex 3 0.37x
Warwickshire 3 1.47x
Aberdeenshire 2 2.67x
Cheshire 2 1.12x
Hampshire 2 1.21x
Royal Navy 2 20.73x
Surrey 2 0.51x
Wiltshire 2 2.79x
Angus 1 1.33x
Berwickshire 1 10.20x
Carmarthenshire 1 2.93x
Cornwall 1 1.09x
Dorset 1 1.88x
Dunbartonshire 1 4.60x
Flintshire 1 4.60x
Kent 1 0.36x
Perthshire 1 2.75x
Staffordshire 1 0.37x
Sussex 1 0.73x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Kirkdale in Lancashire leads with 7 Mckinnons recorded in 1881 and an index of 43.32x.

Place Total Index
Kirkdale 7 43.32x
West Derby 7 24.91x
Preston In Tynemouth 6 1276.60x
Leeds 5 11.04x
East Greenock 4 67.57x
Toxteth Park 4 12.30x
Birmingham 3 4.41x
Govan 3 4.63x
Springfield 3 428.57x
Trumisgarry 3 1250.00x
Betchworth 2 408.16x
Farnborough 2 114.94x
Monks Coppenhall 2 29.67x
Urchfont 2 689.66x
Aberdeen St Nicholas 1 7.13x
Anderston 1 1428.57x
Ardrossan 1 47.62x
Auchtergaven 1 163.93x
Ayr 1 34.97x
Barony 1 1.51x
Blandford Forum 1 95.24x
Brighton 1 3.63x
Clerkenwell London 1 5.23x
Craigie 1 588.24x
Cruden 1 103.09x
Duirinish 1 81.30x
Dunse 1 107.53x
Falmouth 1 30.86x
Forfar 1 24.63x
Hamilton 1 13.70x
Kilmuir 1 140.85x
Kirkintilloch 1 33.78x
Limehouse London 1 11.25x
Liverpool 1 1.71x
Llanelly 1 13.02x
Mold 1 50.76x
Paisley Low Church 1 50.25x
St Pancras London 1 1.53x
Thornton In Fylde 1 47.62x
Tradeston 1 2500.00x
Walmer 1 83.33x
Wolverhampton 1 4.76x

Top female names

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

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 5
James 4
John 3
Charles 2
George 2
Albert 1
Alex 1
Archie 1
Chas.F.V. 1
Donald 1
J. 1
Lachlen 1
Malkom 1
Peter 1
Roderick 1
Wm. 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 Mckinnon households.

FAQ

Mckinnon surname: questions and answers

How common was the Mckinnon surname in 1881?

In 1881, 6,303 people were recorded with the Mckinnon surname. That placed it at #682 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Mckinnon surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 3,863 in 2016. That gives Mckinnon a modern rank of #1,753.

What does the Mckinnon surname mean?

A Scottish surname derived from the Gaelic "Mac Fhionghuin," meaning "son of Fingon," a personal name of unknown origin.

What does the Mckinnon map show?

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