UK surname
Scottish surname indicating a person from an area of cloud-covered hills.
In the 1881 census there were 65 people recorded with the Mcloud surname, ranking it #24,420 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 49, ranked #34,957, down from #24,420 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Inveresk, Barvas and Carloway and Warkworth. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Mcloud is 140 in 1851. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 24.6%.
1881 census count
65
Ranked #24,420
Modern count
49
2016, ranked #34,957
Peak year
1851
140 bearers
Map years
2
1851 to 1861
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Mcloud surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Mcloud surname density by area, 1861 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe 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 | 140 | #13,593 |
| 1861 | historical | 128 | #17,375 |
| 1881 | historical | 65 | #24,420 |
| 1891 | historical | 55 | #29,744 |
| 1901 | historical | 40 | #29,678 |
| 1911 | historical | 14 | #32,045 |
| 1997 | modern | 34 | #34,282 |
| 1998 | modern | 38 | #34,066 |
| 1999 | modern | 46 | #33,424 |
| 2000 | modern | 38 | #34,146 |
| 2001 | modern | 36 | #34,171 |
| 2002 | modern | 35 | #34,554 |
| 2003 | modern | 31 | #34,957 |
| 2004 | modern | 32 | #35,019 |
| 2005 | modern | 28 | #35,510 |
| 2006 | modern | 36 | #35,131 |
| 2007 | modern | 40 | #35,037 |
| 2008 | modern | 37 | #35,327 |
| 2009 | modern | 39 | #35,321 |
| 2010 | modern | 46 | #35,062 |
| 2011 | modern | 38 | #35,501 |
| 2012 | modern | 39 | #35,415 |
| 2013 | modern | 49 | #34,952 |
| 2014 | modern | 48 | #35,041 |
| 2015 | modern | 49 | #34,946 |
| 2016 | modern | 49 | #34,957 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Inveresk, Barvas and Carloway, Warkworth, Edinburgh and Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Inveresk | Edinburgh |
| 2 | Barvas and Carloway | Ross And Cromarty |
| 3 | Warkworth | Northumberland |
| 4 | Edinburgh | Edinburgh |
| 5 | Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry | Forfar |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Mcloud surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Mcloud, 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
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Mcloud surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Mcloud household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Mcloud is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Mcloud is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Mcloud, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname McCloud has its origins in Scotland, dating back to the 12th century. The name is derived from the Gaelic "Mac Lòchluinn," which means "son of the man from the fjord or inlet." This suggests that the surname was originally given to those who lived near a fjord or inlet, possibly along the rugged Scottish coastline.
The earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in various Scottish historical documents, such as the Ragman Rolls of 1296, which listed those who swore allegiance to King Edward I of England. The name appeared in various spellings, including MacCloud, McCloud, and MacLoud, reflecting the regional variations in pronunciation and spelling.
One notable historical figure bearing the surname McCloud was Sir Donald McCloud, a Scottish knight who fought alongside Robert the Bruce during the Wars of Scottish Independence in the early 14th century. Sir Donald was known for his bravery and loyalty to the Scottish cause.
In the 16th century, the McCloud surname was associated with the Clan MacLeod, a powerful Highland clan based on the Isle of Skye. The MacLeods played a significant role in Scottish history, and their clan chiefs were known as the "MacLeods of Dunvegan."
Another prominent individual with the McCloud surname was Reverend Alexander McCloud, a Scottish minister who emigrated to North America in the late 17th century. He became a influential figure in the early Presbyterian Church in the American colonies and played a role in the establishment of several congregations.
During the 18th and 19th centuries, many McClouds emigrated from Scotland to various parts of the world, including North America, Australia, and New Zealand. One notable figure was Sir John McCloud (1772-1846), a Scottish-born soldier and explorer who served in the British Army and later became a prominent settler in Australia.
In the United States, the McCloud surname has been associated with several notable individuals, including William McCloud (1826-1896), a prominent lawyer and politician who served as a United States Senator from California in the late 19th century.
Overall, the surname McCloud has a rich history rooted in Scotland's rugged landscape and cultural heritage, with various branches of the family making significant contributions across different parts of the world throughout the centuries.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Mcloud surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Middlesex leads with 5 Mclouds recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.66x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Middlesex | 5 | 3.66x |
| Staffordshire | 5 | 10.86x |
| Durham | 3 | 7.39x |
| Hampshire | 1 | 3.58x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Hackney London in Middlesex leads with 5 Mclouds recorded in 1881 and an index of 65.36x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Hackney London | 5 | 65.36x |
| Sedgley | 4 | 233.92x |
| Hedworth Monkton Jarrow | 3 | 170.45x |
| Portsea | 1 | 18.25x |
| Wolverhampton | 1 | 28.25x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Mcloud surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Mcloud surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
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 Mcloud households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 4 |
| (Dom Servant) | 1 |
| Brass Beadstead Maker | 1 |
| Engine Fitter Colliery | 1 |
| Gen Serv Dom | 1 |
| Stoker | 1 |
| Wood Turner | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 65 people were recorded with the Mcloud surname. That placed it at #24,420 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 49 in 2016. That gives Mcloud a modern rank of #34,957.
Scottish surname indicating a person from an area of cloud-covered hills.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Mcloud bearers relative to the surrounding population.
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.