UK surname
A Scottish and Irish surname derived from the Gaelic "MacMhaolain," meaning "son of the bald or tonsured one."
In the 1881 census there were 67 people recorded with the Mcmillin surname, ranking it #24,104 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 48, ranked #35,004, down from #24,104 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Girvan, Bridekirk and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Mcmillin is 106 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 28.4%.
1881 census count
67
Ranked #24,104
Modern count
48
2016, ranked #35,004
Peak year
1861
106 bearers
Map years
2
1851 to 1861
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Mcmillin surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Mcmillin 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 | 100 | #17,164 |
| 1861 | historical | 106 | #20,147 |
| 1881 | historical | 67 | #24,104 |
| 1891 | historical | 77 | #27,169 |
| 1901 | historical | 63 | #27,134 |
| 1911 | historical | 88 | #24,041 |
| 1997 | modern | 42 | #33,459 |
| 1998 | modern | 39 | #33,967 |
| 1999 | modern | 43 | #33,683 |
| 2000 | modern | 46 | #33,458 |
| 2001 | modern | 46 | #33,311 |
| 2002 | modern | 44 | #33,790 |
| 2003 | modern | 38 | #34,361 |
| 2004 | modern | 35 | #34,783 |
| 2005 | modern | 31 | #35,260 |
| 2006 | modern | 33 | #35,329 |
| 2007 | modern | 33 | #35,461 |
| 2008 | modern | 37 | #35,327 |
| 2009 | modern | 39 | #35,321 |
| 2010 | modern | 44 | #35,183 |
| 2011 | modern | 41 | #35,340 |
| 2012 | modern | 45 | #35,105 |
| 2013 | modern | 48 | #35,012 |
| 2014 | modern | 45 | #35,201 |
| 2015 | modern | 47 | #35,056 |
| 2016 | modern | 48 | #35,004 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Girvan, Bridekirk, London parishes, North Meols and Long Benton. 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 | Girvan | Ayr |
| 2 | Bridekirk | Cumberland |
| 3 | London parishes | London 3 |
| 4 | North Meols | Lancashire |
| 5 | Long Benton | Northumberland |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Mcmillin 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 Mcmillin, 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 Mcmillin surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Mcmillin 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, Mcmillin 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 Mcmillin is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Mcmillin, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname McMillin has its origins in Scotland, dating back to the 13th century. It is a variant of the Gaelic name MacMillan, which means "son of the tonsured one" or "son of the bald one." This name likely referred to a member of a religious order or a monk who had taken a vow of tonsure, the practice of shaving the crown of the head.
The earliest recorded instances of the name McMillin can be found in the Ragman Rolls of 1296, a collection of documents containing the names of Scottish nobles and landowners who swore allegiance to King Edward I of England during the Wars of Scottish Independence. One such entry is that of Gillecrist McMullyn, a landholder from Ayrshire.
In the 16th century, the McMillin name was prominent in the Scottish Highlands, particularly in the regions of Argyll and Inverness-shire. Records from this period include references to individuals such as John McMillin, a landowner in Argyll in 1548, and Gillespie McMillin, a prominent figure in the Battle of Glenlivet in 1594.
As the McMillin clan migrated and settled in different parts of Scotland, various spelling variations emerged, including McMullin, McMullen, and McMullen. One notable bearer of this name was Sir John McMullen (1640-1718), a Scottish merchant and Lord Provost of Edinburgh from 1684 to 1686.
In the 17th and 18th centuries, many McMillins and their spelling variants immigrated to Ulster, Ireland, as part of the Scottish Plantation of Ulster. From there, some members of the family later emigrated to North America, settling in regions such as Pennsylvania and Virginia. One of the earliest recorded McMillins in North America was John McMillin, who was born in County Antrim, Ireland, in 1670 and later settled in Pennsylvania.
Another notable bearer of the McMillin name was John McMillan (1752-1833), a Scottish-American Presbyterian minister and educator. He was born in Pennsylvania and played a significant role in founding several educational institutions, including Jefferson College (now Washington & Jefferson College) and Canonsburg Academy (now Washington & Jefferson College Preparatory School).
Throughout history, the McMillin surname has been carried by individuals from various walks of life, including clergymen, merchants, landowners, and military personnel. While the name may have evolved in its spelling over time, its Scottish roots and connection to the Gaelic language have remained a central part of its history and cultural significance.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Mcmillin 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. Northamptonshire leads with 6 Mcmillins recorded in 1881 and an index of 72.82x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Northamptonshire | 6 | 72.82x |
| Glamorgan | 3 | 19.66x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Northampton St Sepulchre in Northamptonshire leads with 6 Mcmillins recorded in 1881 and an index of 1428.57x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Northampton St Sepulchre | 6 | 1428.57x |
| Cardiff St Mary | 3 | 357.14x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Mcmillin 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 Mcmillin 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 Mcmillin households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 3 |
| Dressmaker | 1 |
| Hairdresser | 1 |
| Shoe Rivetter | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 67 people were recorded with the Mcmillin surname. That placed it at #24,104 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 48 in 2016. That gives Mcmillin a modern rank of #35,004.
A Scottish and Irish surname derived from the Gaelic "MacMhaolain," meaning "son of the bald or tonsured one."
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Mcmillin 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.