NameCensus.

UK surname

Mckissock

A Scottish surname derived from the Gaelic "mac isiog" meaning son of the bishop.

In the 1881 census there were 182 people recorded with the Mckissock surname, ranking it #13,647 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 211, ranked #18,904, down from #13,647 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Kirkmichael, Govan Combination and Glasgow. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Cumnock South and Craigens, Craigie and Ayr North Harbour, Wallacetown and Newton South.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Mckissock is 261 in 1901. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 15.9%.

1881 census count

182

Ranked #13,647

Modern count

211

2016, ranked #18,904

Peak year

1901

261 bearers

Map years

8

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Mckissock had 182 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #13,647 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 211 in 2016, ranked #18,904.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 261 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established but Challenged.

Mckissock surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Mckissock surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Mckissock 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 137 #13,812
1861 historical 159 #14,553
1881 historical 182 #13,647
1891 historical 208 #14,496
1901 historical 261 #12,775
1911 historical 21 #31,179
1997 modern 193 #18,035
1998 modern 197 #18,283
1999 modern 214 #17,494
2000 modern 204 #17,987
2001 modern 205 #17,683
2002 modern 213 #17,603
2003 modern 205 #17,851
2004 modern 211 #17,590
2005 modern 209 #17,629
2006 modern 211 #17,662
2007 modern 213 #17,744
2008 modern 217 #17,693
2009 modern 210 #18,426
2010 modern 211 #18,774
2011 modern 213 #18,502
2012 modern 210 #18,604
2013 modern 206 #19,153
2014 modern 205 #19,375
2015 modern 204 #19,331
2016 modern 211 #18,904

Geography

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Where Mckissocks are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Kirkmichael, Govan Combination, Glasgow, Dalry and Leswalt. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Cumnock South and Craigens, Craigie, Ayr North Harbour, Wallacetown and Newton South, Carrick North and Southcraig and Beansburn. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 Kirkmichael Ayr
2 Govan Combination Lanark
3 Glasgow Lanark
4 Dalry Ayr
5 Leswalt Wigtown

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Cumnock South and Craigens East Ayrshire
2 Craigie South Ayrshire
3 Ayr North Harbour, Wallacetown and Newton South South Ayrshire
4 Carrick North South Ayrshire
5 Southcraig and Beansburn East Ayrshire

Forenames

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First names often paired with Mckissock

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Mckissock

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Mckissock, 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 Mckissock surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Established but Challenged, within Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce. This does not mean every Mckissock household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

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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, Mckissock 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.

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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

Mckissock 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

Mckissock falls in decile 2 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.

2
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Mckissock

The surname McKissock originates from Scotland, where it first appeared in the 13th century. It is a territorial name derived from the lands of Mackessock or Makyshallock, located in the parish of Girvan, Ayrshire. The name is believed to come from the Gaelic words "mac" meaning "son" and "cis" meaning "tax" or "tribute," combined with a personal name or place name.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Ragman Rolls of 1296, where Dungal McKysok of Lanarkshire is mentioned as swearing fealty to King Edward I of England. The name is also mentioned in the records of the Exchequer Rolls of Scotland in the 14th century, indicating the family's prominence in the region.

The McKissock surname has undergone various spelling variations over the centuries, including Makissock, Makesock, Mackissock, and Makyshallock. These variations reflect the regional dialects and the challenges of transcribing names from Gaelic to English.

In the 16th century, the McKissock family held lands in Ayrshire and played a significant role in the local affairs of the region. One notable member was John McKissock, who was appointed as the Bailie of Girvan in 1563.

During the 17th century, the McKissock family expanded their influence and landholdings. In 1670, Robert McKissock acquired the estate of Lochcraigmuir in Ayrshire, which remained in the family's possession for several generations.

In the 18th century, the McKissocks continued to be prominent landowners and influential members of Scottish society. James McKissock (1725-1793) was a respected merchant and landowner in Ayrshire, while his son, William McKissock (1758-1832), served as a magistrate and was actively involved in local politics.

Other notable individuals with the surname McKissock include:

1. Archibald McKissock (1844-1922), a Scottish-American civil engineer and architect who designed several iconic buildings in New York City, including the Williamsburg Savings Bank Tower.

2. Robert McKissock (1858-1941), a Scottish-born Australian politician who served as a member of the Parliament of New South Wales.

3. John McKissock (1868-1944), a Scottish-born Canadian businessman and politician who served as a member of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba.

4. Thomas McKissock (1890-1968), a Scottish-born American football coach and administrator who served as the head coach of the University of Missouri and the University of Kansas.

5. William McKissock (1920-2003), a Scottish artist and sculptor known for his abstract works and public commissions.

The surname McKissock continues to be prevalent in Scotland, particularly in the regions of Ayrshire and Lanarkshire, as well as among Scottish diaspora communities around the world.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Mckissock surname: questions and answers

How common was the Mckissock surname in 1881?

In 1881, 182 people were recorded with the Mckissock surname. That placed it at #13,647 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Mckissock surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 211 in 2016. That gives Mckissock a modern rank of #18,904.

What does the Mckissock surname mean?

A Scottish surname derived from the Gaelic "mac isiog" meaning son of the bishop.

What does the Mckissock map show?

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