NameCensus.

UK surname

Mclaughlan

A Scottish surname derived from the Gaelic personal name MacLochlain meaning "son of the disfigured or imperfect man".

In the 1881 census there were 1,463 people recorded with the Mclaughlan surname, ranking it #2,850 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 2,099, ranked #3,083, down from #2,850 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Port Glasgow, Govan Combination and Edinburgh. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Kilwinning West and Blacklands, Kilwinning Central and North and Wishaw South.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Mclaughlan is 2,188 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 43.5%.

1881 census count

1,463

Ranked #2,850

Modern count

2,099

2016, ranked #3,083

Peak year

2010

2,188 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Mclaughlan had 1,463 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #2,850 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 2,099 in 2016, ranked #3,083.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1,795 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Legacy and Demographically Mixed Communities.

Mclaughlan surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Mclaughlan surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Mclaughlan 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 518 #4,834
1861 historical 859 #3,222
1881 historical 1,463 #2,850
1891 historical 1,452 #3,019
1901 historical 1,795 #2,919
1911 historical 187 #15,600
1997 modern 2,136 #2,891
1998 modern 2,170 #2,952
1999 modern 2,141 #3,013
2000 modern 2,133 #3,002
2001 modern 2,098 #2,985
2002 modern 2,115 #3,028
2003 modern 2,035 #3,073
2004 modern 2,019 #3,091
2005 modern 2,029 #3,047
2006 modern 2,020 #3,061
2007 modern 2,060 #3,041
2008 modern 2,099 #3,002
2009 modern 2,175 #2,983
2010 modern 2,188 #3,028
2011 modern 2,156 #3,038
2012 modern 2,058 #3,114
2013 modern 2,073 #3,148
2014 modern 2,112 #3,112
2015 modern 2,100 #3,091
2016 modern 2,099 #3,083

Geography

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Where Mclaughlans are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Port Glasgow, Govan Combination, Edinburgh, Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry and Greenock. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Kilwinning West and Blacklands, Kilwinning Central and North, Wishaw South, Kirkwood and Bargeddie and Kilwinning Whitehirst Park and Woodside. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 Port Glasgow Renfrew
2 Govan Combination Lanark
3 Edinburgh Edinburgh
4 Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry Forfar
5 Greenock Renfrew

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Kilwinning West and Blacklands North Ayrshire
2 Kilwinning Central and North North Ayrshire
3 Wishaw South North Lanarkshire
4 Kirkwood and Bargeddie North Lanarkshire
5 Kilwinning Whitehirst Park and Woodside North Ayrshire

Forenames

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First names often paired with Mclaughlan

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Mclaughlan

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

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Mclaughlan is most associated with areas classed as Skilled Trades and Construction 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

These scattered, peripheral and often low residential density neighbourhoods house more workers in skilled trades and construction. Few households rent social housing and there are few students. Multiple car ownership is higher than the Supergroup average, perhaps because of poorer public transport connectivity. Incidence of mixed or multiple ethnicity is below the Supergroup average, and the absence of individuals identifying as Pakistani or Other Asian groups is also less pronounced. Flatted accommodation is less dominant than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

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

Mclaughlan 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

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

Meaning and origin of Mclaughlan

The surname MCLAUGHLAN is of Scottish origin, with roots dating back to the 12th century. It is a variant of the more common McLachlan, which is derived from the Gaelic 'mac Lachlainn', meaning 'son of Lachlan'. Lachlan is an ancient personal name that can be traced back to the Old Irish name 'Lachlann', meaning 'from the land of the lakes'.

The McLaughlans were originally a powerful family in the region of Argyll, situated in western Scotland. Their ancestral lands were located on the shores of Loch Fyne, and they were known for their involvement in clan conflicts and battles throughout the medieval period.

In the 14th century, a notable figure named Lachlan McLaughlan appeared in several historical records, including the Exchequer Rolls of Scotland. He was a prominent landowner and is believed to have been a descendant of the original McLachlan chiefs.

The name MCLAUGHLAN can be found in various spellings throughout ancient manuscripts, such as 'MacLauchlane', 'MacLoughlyn', and 'MacLochlan'. These variations reflect the fluid nature of surname spellings in earlier times.

One of the earliest recorded bearers of the name was Archibald McLaughlan, who lived in the 16th century and was a respected scholar and poet. He is believed to have been the author of several works in Gaelic literature.

In the 17th century, Dugald McLaughlan (1610-1688) was a renowned minister and theologian who played a significant role in the religious affairs of Scotland during the turbulent times of the Covenanters' struggle.

Another notable figure was Sir John McLaughlan (1732-1810), a successful merchant and landowner who served as the Lord Provost of Edinburgh in the late 18th century.

During the Scottish diaspora, many McLaughlans migrated to other parts of the world, including North America, where they contributed to the development of various communities. One such individual was Alexander McLaughlan (1770-1838), a Scottish-born businessman who became one of the founding settlers of Goderich, Ontario, Canada.

The name MCLAUGHLAN has also been associated with several place names in Scotland, such as McLaughlan's Bay on the island of Islay and McLaughlan's Bridge in Argyll, reflecting the historical presence and influence of this family in these regions.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Mclaughlan families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Mclaughlan 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 14 Mclaughlans recorded in 1881 and an index of 9.65x.

County Total Index
Durham 14 9.65x
Yorkshire 8 1.66x
Cumberland 7 16.67x
Northumberland 5 6.89x
Hampshire 4 4.00x
Lancashire 4 0.69x
Angus 3 6.64x
Surrey 2 0.84x
Berwickshire 1 16.95x
Essex 1 1.04x
Nottinghamshire 1 1.52x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Norton in Durham leads with 8 Mclaughlans recorded in 1881 and an index of 1509.43x.

Place Total Index
Norton 8 1509.43x
Ancroft 4 1538.46x
Bishop Auckland 3 153.85x
Liff Benvie 3 43.73x
Liverpool 3 8.54x
Ryde 3 139.53x
Westoe 3 36.50x
Armley 2 93.90x
Camberwell 2 6.42x
Cleator 2 114.29x
Gate Fulford 2 176.99x
Leeds 2 7.33x
St Mary Within 2 384.62x
Whitehaven 2 89.29x
Aldershot 1 29.85x
Holbeck 1 31.25x
Lauder 1 303.03x
Newcastle On Tyne All Sts 1 23.09x
North Collingham 1 666.67x
Shadwell 1 555.56x
St Cuthbert W O 1 48.78x
Toxteth Park 1 5.10x
West Ham 1 4.71x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 5
Elizabeth 2
Jane 2
Margaret 2
Sarah 2
Bridget 1
Emily 1
Frances 1
Isabella 1
Janet 1
Julia 1
Philis 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
James 6
John 5
Thomas 4
Michael 2
Patrick 2
Albert 1
Andrew 1
Chas. 1
Joseph 1
Owen 1
Robert 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 Mclaughlan households.

FAQ

Mclaughlan surname: questions and answers

How common was the Mclaughlan surname in 1881?

In 1881, 1,463 people were recorded with the Mclaughlan surname. That placed it at #2,850 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Mclaughlan surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 2,099 in 2016. That gives Mclaughlan a modern rank of #3,083.

What does the Mclaughlan surname mean?

A Scottish surname derived from the Gaelic personal name MacLochlain meaning "son of the disfigured or imperfect man".

What does the Mclaughlan map show?

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