NameCensus.

UK surname

Mckinstry

A Scottish occupational surname referring to someone who made wooden furniture or barrels.

In the 1881 census there were 83 people recorded with the Mckinstry surname, ranking it #21,808 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 383, ranked #12,269, up from #21,808 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Bothwell, Cardross and Middlesborough. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Machars North, Doon Valley North and Paisley Central.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Mckinstry is 383 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 361.4%.

1881 census count

83

Ranked #21,808

Modern count

383

2016, ranked #12,269

Peak year

2016

383 bearers

Map years

5

1891 to 2016

Key insights

  • Mckinstry had 83 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #21,808 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 383 in 2016, ranked #12,269.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 159 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established but Challenged.

Mckinstry surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Mckinstry surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Mckinstry 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 20 #29,743
1861 historical 44 #28,433
1881 historical 83 #21,808
1891 historical 126 #20,604
1901 historical 159 #17,442
1911 historical 58 #27,001
1997 modern 321 #12,941
1998 modern 320 #13,299
1999 modern 332 #13,075
2000 modern 340 #12,824
2001 modern 327 #12,970
2002 modern 338 #12,939
2003 modern 338 #12,735
2004 modern 331 #12,973
2005 modern 332 #12,881
2006 modern 345 #12,571
2007 modern 356 #12,437
2008 modern 354 #12,591
2009 modern 367 #12,501
2010 modern 374 #12,597
2011 modern 374 #12,464
2012 modern 369 #12,443
2013 modern 374 #12,521
2014 modern 374 #12,598
2015 modern 369 #12,627
2016 modern 383 #12,269

Geography

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Where Mckinstrys are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Bothwell, Cardross, Middlesborough, Glasgow and Dalmellington. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Machars North, Doon Valley North, Paisley Central, Doon Valley South and Auchinairn. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 Bothwell Lanark
2 Cardross Dunbarton
3 Middlesborough Durham
4 Glasgow Lanark
5 Dalmellington Ayr

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Machars North Dumfries and Galloway
2 Doon Valley North East Ayrshire
3 Paisley Central Renfrewshire
4 Doon Valley South East Ayrshire
5 Auchinairn East Dunbartonshire

Forenames

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First names often paired with Mckinstry

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Mckinstry

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

Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce

Group

Established but Challenged

Nationally, the Mckinstry surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Established but Challenged, within Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce. This does not mean every Mckinstry household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many households in these neighbourhoods comprise separated or divorced single parents with dependent children. Residents are typically born in the UK, and these neighbourhoods have relatively few members of ethnic minorities. The prevalence of children, their parents and those at or above normal retirement age, suggests neighbourhood structures may be long-established. Levels of unpaid care are high, and long-term disability is more common than in the Supergroup as a whole. Use of the social rented sector is common, often in terraced houses. Levels of overcrowding are above the Supergroup average. Unemployment is high, while those in work are employed in elementary occupations such as caring, leisure and customer services. Many residents have low level qualifications. Neighbourhood concentrations of this Group are found in the South Wales Valleys, Belfast, Londonderry and the Central Lowlands of Scotland.

Wider pattern

Living in terraced or semi-detached houses, residents of these neighbourhoods typically lack high levels of education and work in elementary or routine service occupations. Unemployment is above average. Residents are predominantly born in the UK, and residents are also predominantly from ethnic minorities. Social (but not private sector) rented sector housing is common. This Supergroup is found throughout the UK’s conurbations and industrial regions but is also an integral part of smaller towns.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Mckinstry 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

Mckinstry 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

Mckinstry falls in decile 4 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.

4
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Mckinstry

The surname McKinstry has its origins in Scotland, dating back to the 12th century. It is believed to have derived from the Gaelic mac an t-saoiridh, meaning "son of the carpenter" or "son of the joiner." The name likely originated in the areas of Renfrewshire and Ayrshire, where families with this occupation were prevalent.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Ragman Rolls of 1296, a historical document that recorded the names of Scottish landowners who swore fealty to King Edward I of England. The name appears as "M'Kynstrer," indicating its Scottish origins and the evolution of its spelling over time.

In the 16th century, the McKinstry family was prominent in the Ayrshire region, with several members holding positions of authority and influence. John McKinstry, born in 1520, was a respected landowner and community leader in the town of Kilwinning.

The name also appears in historical records from Ireland, particularly in the counties of Antrim and Down, where Scottish settlers had established themselves. One notable figure was Robert McKinstry, born in 1642 in Ballymoney, County Antrim. He was a prominent merchant and landowner, and his descendants continued to play an essential role in the economic and social fabric of the region.

In the 18th century, the McKinstry name gained recognition in the literary world with the birth of James McKinstry (1718-1788), a Scottish poet and playwright. His works, although not widely known today, were celebrated in his time for their wit and satirical commentary on society.

Another notable figure was William McKinstry (1793-1867), a Scottish-American businessman and politician. Born in Paisley, Scotland, he immigrated to the United States and became a successful merchant in New York City. He later served as a member of the New York State Assembly and was actively involved in various philanthropic causes.

Throughout history, the McKinstry surname has been associated with a variety of professions and achievements, from carpentry and joinery to literature, business, and politics. While the spelling may have evolved over time, the name's Scottish heritage and connection to the skilled trades have remained a defining characteristic.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Mckinstry families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Mckinstry 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. Durham leads with 1 Mckinstrys recorded in 1881 and an index of 11.51x.

County Total Index
Durham 1 11.51x
Kent 1 10.03x
Lancashire 1 2.88x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Ashton Under Lyne in Lancashire leads with 1 Mckinstrys recorded in 1881 and an index of 131.58x.

Place Total Index
Ashton Under Lyne 1 131.58x
Bishopwearmouth 1 133.33x
Milton In Gravesend 1 666.67x

Top male names

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

Name Count
Joseph 1
L. 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 Mckinstry households.

FAQ

Mckinstry surname: questions and answers

How common was the Mckinstry surname in 1881?

In 1881, 83 people were recorded with the Mckinstry surname. That placed it at #21,808 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Mckinstry surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 383 in 2016. That gives Mckinstry a modern rank of #12,269.

What does the Mckinstry surname mean?

A Scottish occupational surname referring to someone who made wooden furniture or barrels.

What does the Mckinstry map show?

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