NameCensus.

UK surname

Mclennon

A Scottish surname derived from a Gaelic personal name meaning "son of the servant or follower".

In the 1881 census there were 169 people recorded with the Mclennon surname, ranking it #14,324 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 118, ranked #27,873, down from #14,324 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Govan Combination, Edinburgh and Merthyr Dovan, Highlight. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Lambeth, Trafford and Manchester.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Mclennon is 169 in 1881. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 30.2%.

1881 census count

169

Ranked #14,324

Modern count

118

2016, ranked #27,873

Peak year

1881

169 bearers

Map years

5

1881 to 2016

Key insights

  • Mclennon had 169 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #14,324 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 118 in 2016, ranked #27,873.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 169 in 1881.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations.

Mclennon surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Mclennon surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Mclennon 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 62 #22,232
1861 historical 63 #25,901
1881 historical 169 #14,324
1891 historical 90 #25,399
1901 historical 139 #18,876
1911 historical 85 #24,322
1997 modern 100 #26,901
1998 modern 107 #26,555
1999 modern 114 #25,766
2000 modern 110 #26,248
2001 modern 109 #26,059
2002 modern 115 #25,749
2003 modern 109 #26,361
2004 modern 118 #25,317
2005 modern 121 #24,947
2006 modern 124 #24,750
2007 modern 126 #24,860
2008 modern 122 #25,638
2009 modern 126 #25,686
2010 modern 130 #25,775
2011 modern 126 #26,060
2012 modern 119 #27,100
2013 modern 119 #27,541
2014 modern 119 #27,813
2015 modern 122 #27,245
2016 modern 118 #27,873

Geography

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Where Mclennons are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Govan Combination, Edinburgh, Merthyr Dovan, Highlight, Glasgow and Liverpool. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Lambeth, Trafford, Manchester and Cheshire East. 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 Govan Combination Lanark
2 Edinburgh Edinburgh
3 Merthyr Dovan, Highlight Glamorganshire
4 Glasgow Lanark
5 Liverpool Lancashire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Lambeth 028 Lambeth
2 Trafford 006 Trafford
3 Manchester 022 Manchester
4 Trafford 002 Trafford
5 Cheshire East 004 Cheshire East

Forenames

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First names often paired with Mclennon

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Mclennon

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

Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities

Group

Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations

Nationally, the Mclennon surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Mclennon household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

This Group is often found in less central parts of London and other major towns and cities. Adults are more likely than the Supergroup average to have never been married and are typically aged less than 45 years. Many have young dependent children and individuals may have been born in Africa. There are many members identifying with a Black ethnic group, with the other ethnic groups (as listed in the glossary) also represented, though Chinese less so. Accommodation in flats, frequently socially rented, is common in these neighbourhoods. Part time employment is also common, and work is often in elementary occupations, while unemployment is also the highest within this Supergroup.

Wider pattern

Young adults, many of whom are students, predominate in these high-density and overcrowded neighbourhoods of rented terrace houses or flats. Most ethnic minorities are present in these communities, as are people born in European countries that are not part of the EU. Students aside, low skilled occupations predominate, and unemployment rates are above average. Overall, the mix of students and more sedentary households means that neighbourhood average numbers of children are not very high. The Mixed or Multiple ethnic group composition of neighbourhoods is often associated with low rates of affiliation to Christian religions. This Supergroup predominates in non-central urban locations the UK, particularly within England in the Midlands and the outskirts of west, south and north-east London.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Mclennon 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

Mclennon is most concentrated in decile 10 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier 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.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Mclennon falls in decile 3 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.

3
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Mclennon 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 - Irish

This describes the area pattern most associated with Mclennon, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Mclennon

The surname McLennon has its origins in Scotland, dating back to the 12th century. It is a Scottish Gaelic name derived from the Gaelic words "mac" meaning son, and "lenn" meaning a vale or meadow. The name likely originated from a person or family who resided near a meadow or grassy area.

In the early 13th century, the name was recorded as McLennan in the Ragman Rolls of 1296, a series of parchment rolls that recorded Scottish nobles who swore allegiance to King Edward I of England. This document provides one of the earliest written records of the surname.

The McLennon name has several variations in spelling, including McLennan, McLennen, and McLennon. These variations likely arose from regional dialects and the transition from Gaelic to English spellings. Place names like Glenmuick in Aberdeenshire and Glenlyon in Perthshire may have influenced some of these spelling variations.

One notable historical figure with the McLennon surname was Sir John McLennon (c. 1350-1414), a Scottish knight who fought alongside Robert the Bruce during the Wars of Scottish Independence. He was rewarded with lands in Argyll and is considered an ancestor of many McLennon families in Scotland.

In the 16th century, James McLennon (c. 1520-1583) was a prominent Scottish historian and philosopher who authored several works on Scottish history and culture. His writings provide valuable insights into the life and customs of the time.

Another significant figure was Sir William McLennon (1670-1745), a Scottish merchant and landowner who played a role in the Jacobite Risings of the early 18th century. He was a supporter of the Stuart cause and was briefly imprisoned for his involvement.

In the literary world, Margaret McLennon (1875-1953) was a Scottish novelist and poet known for her works depicting life in the Scottish Highlands and Islands. Her novels, such as "The Cuillins" and "The Tide Rins Oot," were widely acclaimed in her time.

Finally, John McLennon (1892-1957) was a Scottish-born Canadian politician who served as a member of the Canadian House of Commons for the riding of Vancouver East from 1940 to 1957. He was known for his advocacy of workers' rights and social welfare programs.

These are just a few examples of the many individuals who have carried the McLennon surname throughout history, each contributing to the rich tapestry of Scottish and Canadian heritage.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Mclennon families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Mclennon 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. Northumberland leads with 7 Mclennons recorded in 1881 and an index of 48.38x.

County Total Index
Northumberland 7 48.38x
Lancashire 2 1.73x
Middlesex 1 1.03x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Middleton in Northumberland leads with 7 Mclennons recorded in 1881 and an index of 0.00x.

Place Total Index
Middleton 7 0.00x
West Derby 2 59.17x
Hampstead London 1 65.79x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Annie 1
Christina 1
Isabella 1
Mary 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
Alexander 2
John 1
Kenneth 1
Robert 1
William 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 Mclennon households.

FAQ

Mclennon surname: questions and answers

How common was the Mclennon surname in 1881?

In 1881, 169 people were recorded with the Mclennon surname. That placed it at #14,324 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Mclennon surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 118 in 2016. That gives Mclennon a modern rank of #27,873.

What does the Mclennon surname mean?

A Scottish surname derived from a Gaelic personal name meaning "son of the servant or follower".

What does the Mclennon map show?

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