UK surname
A Scottish surname derived from the Gaelic "Mac Mhiocain" meaning "son of the servant".
In the 1881 census there were 102 people recorded with the Mcmeekan surname, ranking it #19,518 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 32, ranked #35,887, down from #19,518 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Govan Combination, Kilbarchan and Dumfries. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Mcmeekan is 102 in 1881. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 68.6%.
1881 census count
102
Ranked #19,518
Modern count
32
2016, ranked #35,887
Peak year
1881
102 bearers
Map years
1
1881 to 1881
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Mcmeekan surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Mcmeekan surname density by area, 1881 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 | 46 | #24,985 |
| 1861 | historical | 36 | #29,463 |
| 1881 | historical | 102 | #19,518 |
| 1891 | historical | 73 | #27,677 |
| 1901 | historical | 81 | #25,130 |
| 1911 | historical | 26 | #30,547 |
| 1997 | modern | 51 | #32,545 |
| 1998 | modern | 52 | #32,732 |
| 1999 | modern | 53 | #32,746 |
| 2000 | modern | 51 | #32,999 |
| 2001 | modern | 52 | #32,764 |
| 2002 | modern | 48 | #33,459 |
| 2003 | modern | 46 | #33,710 |
| 2004 | modern | 40 | #34,387 |
| 2005 | modern | 37 | #34,815 |
| 2006 | modern | 37 | #35,074 |
| 2007 | modern | 38 | #35,153 |
| 2008 | modern | 36 | #35,397 |
| 2009 | modern | 37 | #35,434 |
| 2010 | modern | 38 | #35,514 |
| 2011 | modern | 39 | #35,444 |
| 2012 | modern | 36 | #35,595 |
| 2013 | modern | 33 | #35,808 |
| 2014 | modern | 34 | #35,784 |
| 2015 | modern | 32 | #35,876 |
| 2016 | modern | 32 | #35,887 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Govan Combination, Kilbarchan, Dumfries, Stranraer and Birmingham Town: Birmingham. 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 | Govan Combination | Lanark |
| 2 | Kilbarchan | Renfrew |
| 3 | Dumfries | Dumfries |
| 4 | Stranraer | Wigtown |
| 5 | Birmingham Town: Birmingham | Warwickshire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Mcmeekan 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 Mcmeekan, 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 Mcmeekan surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Mcmeekan 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, Mcmeekan 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 Mcmeekan is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Mcmeekan, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname McMeekan is of Scottish origin, deriving from the Gaelic "Mac Mhìchein" or "son of Mìchein". The name is believed to have originated in the Scottish Highlands, particularly in the regions of Argyll and Perthshire, during the Middle Ages.
The name Mìchein itself is a diminutive form of the Gaelic name Michael, which means "who is like God". This suggests that the McMeekan surname may have been initially borne by descendants of an individual named Michael or a variation thereof.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the McMeekan surname can be found in the 16th century, in the Exchequer Rolls of Scotland. In these records, a person named John McMeekan is mentioned in association with the town of Ayr in 1528.
The surname underwent various spelling variations over time, including McMeikan, McMiken, and McMeeken, reflecting the differences in pronunciation and spelling conventions across different regions of Scotland.
Notable individuals with the McMeekan surname throughout history include:
1. Reverend John McMeekan (1789-1858), a Scottish Presbyterian minister who served in Lisburn, Ireland, and was known for his philanthropic efforts. 2. William McMeekan (1845-1923), a Scottish-born architect who practiced in New Zealand and designed several notable buildings, including the Dunedin Town Hall. 3. Alexander McMeekan (1857-1930), a Scottish-born businessman and politician who served as a member of the New Zealand Parliament for the City of Dunedin electorate from 1905 to 1908. 4. James McMeekan (1876-1965), a Scottish-born farmer and local politician in New Zealand, who served as the Mayor of Waitaki County from 1935 to 1941. 5. David McMeekan (born 1954), a Scottish author and journalist known for his books on Scottish history and culture, including "The Quintinshill Conspiracy" and "The McDougall File".
While the McMeekan surname is not among the most common in Scotland, it has a rich history and has been borne by individuals who have made significant contributions in various fields, particularly in Scotland and New Zealand.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
FAQ
In 1881, 102 people were recorded with the Mcmeekan surname. That placed it at #19,518 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 32 in 2016. That gives Mcmeekan a modern rank of #35,887.
A Scottish surname derived from the Gaelic "Mac Mhiocain" meaning "son of the servant".
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Mcmeekan 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.