UK surname
A Scottish surname derived from the Gaelic "Mac Mhanainn" meaning "son of the monk" or "son of the tonsured one."
In the 1881 census there were 51 people recorded with the Mcman surname, ranking it #26,428 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 17, ranked #36,904, down from #26,428 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Sunderland, Darlington and Monkwearmouth. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Mcman is 119 in 1851. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 66.7%.
1881 census count
51
Ranked #26,428
Modern count
17
2016, ranked #36,904
Peak year
1851
119 bearers
Map years
2
1851 to 1861
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Mcman surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Mcman 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 | 119 | #15,247 |
| 1861 | historical | 101 | #20,955 |
| 1881 | historical | 51 | #26,428 |
| 1891 | historical | 63 | #28,881 |
| 1901 | historical | 25 | #31,259 |
| 1911 | historical | 9 | #32,754 |
| 1997 | modern | 5 | #37,891 |
| 1998 | modern | 2 | #38,550 |
| 1999 | modern | 3 | #38,318 |
| 2000 | modern | 3 | #38,248 |
| 2001 | modern | 3 | #38,091 |
| 2002 | modern | 3 | #38,152 |
| 2003 | modern | 1 | #38,735 |
| 2004 | modern | 2 | #38,464 |
| 2005 | modern | 1 | #38,814 |
| 2006 | modern | 1 | #38,879 |
| 2009 | modern | 1 | #38,998 |
| 2010 | modern | 6 | #38,024 |
| 2011 | modern | 7 | #37,865 |
| 2012 | modern | 10 | #37,509 |
| 2013 | modern | 10 | #37,539 |
| 2014 | modern | 15 | #37,070 |
| 2015 | modern | 16 | #36,978 |
| 2016 | modern | 17 | #36,904 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Sunderland, Darlington, Monkwearmouth, Toxteth Park and Battersea. 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 | Sunderland | Durham |
| 2 | Darlington | Durham |
| 3 | Monkwearmouth | Durham |
| 4 | Toxteth Park | Lancashire |
| 5 | Battersea | London (South Districts) |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Mcman 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 Mcman, 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 Mcman surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Mcman 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, Mcman 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 Mcman is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Mcman, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname MCMAN is of Scottish origin, originating from the medieval period around the 12th century. It is believed to be derived from the Gaelic words "mac" meaning "son" and "manaich" meaning "monk", suggesting that the name may have been initially borne by the son of a monk or someone who resided near a monastery.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Ragman Rolls of 1296, which was a record of Scottish nobility who swore allegiance to King Edward I of England. The name appeared as "MacManne" in this document, indicating its early spelling variation.
During the 13th and 14th centuries, the MCMAN name was prevalent in the Scottish Highlands, particularly in the regions of Argyll and Ross-shire. It is possible that the name may have originated from a place name such as "Manach" or "Manachy", which were old spellings for locations near monasteries or religious settlements.
In the 16th century, a notable bearer of the MCMAN surname was John MCMAN, a Scottish poet and playwright who lived from around 1545 to 1610. His works included satirical plays and poems that provided valuable insights into the cultural and political landscape of Scotland during that era.
Another prominent figure with the MCMAN surname was Sir William MCMAN, a Scottish soldier and landowner who lived from 1628 to 1692. He served as a captain in the Scottish army during the Wars of the Three Kingdoms and later became a prominent landowner in Argyllshire.
In the 18th century, James MCMAN (1730-1804) was a Scottish minister and scholar who made significant contributions to the study of Gaelic language and literature. He published several works on Gaelic grammar and poetry, helping to preserve and promote the cultural heritage of Scotland.
A notable bearer of the MCMAN surname in the 19th century was Alexander MCMAN (1812-1889), a Scottish-born Canadian politician and businessman. He served as a member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario and was involved in various commercial ventures, including the timber trade and railway construction.
Throughout history, the MCMAN surname has also been associated with several notable figures in the arts, sciences, and other fields, further contributing to its rich heritage and legacy.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Mcman 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. Lancashire leads with 2 Mcmans recorded in 1881 and an index of 4.34x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Lancashire | 2 | 4.34x |
| Derbyshire | 1 | 16.45x |
| Durham | 1 | 8.65x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Cheetham in Lancashire leads with 1 Mcmans recorded in 1881 and an index of 294.12x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Cheetham | 1 | 294.12x |
| Chesterfield | 1 | 434.78x |
| Harton | 1 | 2000.00x |
| West Derby | 1 | 74.07x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Mcman surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
| Name | Count |
|---|---|
| Bridget | 1 |
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Mcman 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 Mcman households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Blacksmiths Labourer | 1 |
| Gen Servt | 1 |
| Labourer | 1 |
| Seaman | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 51 people were recorded with the Mcman surname. That placed it at #26,428 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 17 in 2016. That gives Mcman a modern rank of #36,904.
A Scottish surname derived from the Gaelic "Mac Mhanainn" meaning "son of the monk" or "son of the tonsured one."
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Mcman 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.