NameCensus.

UK surname

Mcneill

A Scottish and Irish surname derived from the Gaelic "Mac Néill," meaning "son of Neil" or "descendant of Neil."

In the 1881 census there were 2,202 people recorded with the Mcneill surname, ranking it #2,013 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 6,194, ranked #1,089, up from #2,013 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Govan Combination, Edinburgh and Gigha. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include IZ10, IZ11 and IZ07.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Mcneill is 6,247 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 181.3%.

1881 census count

2,202

Ranked #2,013

Modern count

6,194

2016, ranked #1,089

Peak year

2010

6,247 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Mcneill had 2,202 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #2,013 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 6,194 in 2016, ranked #1,089.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 3,559 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established but Challenged.

Mcneill surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Mcneill surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Mcneill 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 1,063 #2,633
1861 historical 1,119 #2,508
1881 historical 2,202 #2,013
1891 historical 2,785 #1,691
1901 historical 3,559 #1,571
1911 historical 1,086 #4,271
1997 modern 5,495 #1,189
1998 modern 5,746 #1,182
1999 modern 5,836 #1,170
2000 modern 5,916 #1,146
2001 modern 5,775 #1,146
2002 modern 5,925 #1,147
2003 modern 5,754 #1,151
2004 modern 5,746 #1,148
2005 modern 5,768 #1,130
2006 modern 5,786 #1,129
2007 modern 5,866 #1,125
2008 modern 5,961 #1,113
2009 modern 6,109 #1,115
2010 modern 6,247 #1,113
2011 modern 6,136 #1,117
2012 modern 6,049 #1,107
2013 modern 6,102 #1,119
2014 modern 6,211 #1,104
2015 modern 6,187 #1,098
2016 modern 6,194 #1,089

Geography

Back to top

Where Mcneills are most common

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

The modern local-area list points to IZ10, IZ11, IZ07, Kintyre Trail and IZ12. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 Govan Combination Lanark
2 Edinburgh Edinburgh
3 Gigha Argyll
4 Greenock Renfrew
5 Glasgow Lanark

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 IZ10 East Lothian
2 IZ11 East Lothian
3 IZ07 East Lothian
4 Kintyre Trail Argyll and Bute
5 IZ12 East Lothian

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Mcneill

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

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for Mcneill

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

Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce

Group

Established but Challenged

Nationally, the Mcneill surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Established but Challenged, within Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce. This does not mean every Mcneill household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many households in these neighbourhoods comprise separated or divorced single parents with dependent children. Residents are typically born in the UK, and these neighbourhoods have relatively few members of ethnic minorities. The prevalence of children, their parents and those at or above normal retirement age, suggests neighbourhood structures may be long-established. Levels of unpaid care are high, and long-term disability is more common than in the Supergroup as a whole. Use of the social rented sector is common, often in terraced houses. Levels of overcrowding are above the Supergroup average. Unemployment is high, while those in work are employed in elementary occupations such as caring, leisure and customer services. Many residents have low level qualifications. Neighbourhood concentrations of this Group are found in the South Wales Valleys, Belfast, Londonderry and the Central Lowlands of Scotland.

Wider pattern

Living in terraced or semi-detached houses, residents of these neighbourhoods typically lack high levels of education and work in elementary or routine service occupations. Unemployment is above average. Residents are predominantly born in the UK, and residents are also predominantly from ethnic minorities. Social (but not private sector) rented sector housing is common. This Supergroup is found throughout the UK’s conurbations and industrial regions but is also an integral part of smaller towns.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Mcneill 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

Mcneill is most concentrated in decile 1 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the less healthy 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.

1
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Mcneill falls in decile 1 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.

1
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Mcneill 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 - British

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

Meaning and origin of Mcneill

The surname McNeill is a Scottish surname that originated in the Scottish Highlands. It is a variant of the Gaelic name Mac Naill, which means "son of Niall". The name Niall was derived from the old Irish name Niall, which meant "champion" or "cloud".

The name McNeill first appeared in the historical records of Argyllshire, Scotland in the 13th century. The McNeills were a powerful clan in the Western Isles and Argyll region of Scotland. They were a branch of the Clan Donald, one of the largest and most influential clans in the Scottish Highlands.

One of the earliest recorded mentions of the name McNeill was in the Exchequer Rolls of Scotland in 1292, which referred to a person named "Gillebride MacNaill". Another early reference to the name was in the Ragman Rolls of 1296, which listed a "Gilchrist MacNaill" as a Scottish landowner who swore allegiance to King Edward I of England.

In the 16th century, the McNeills were involved in several conflicts and battles with other clans, such as the Clan Campbell and the Clan Lamont. One notable figure from this period was Hector McNeill, who was the chief of the McNeills in 1546 and led his clan in the Battle of Largs against the Clan Campbell.

During the 17th and 18th centuries, the McNeills played a significant role in the Jacobite risings in support of the exiled House of Stuart's claim to the British throne. One famous McNeill from this period was Sir John McNeill (1654-1732), a Scottish soldier and Jacobite who fought in the Battle of Killiecrankie in 1689.

In the 19th century, the McNeills were known for their contributions to literature and education. One notable figure was the Rev. Hugh McNeill (1795-1879), a Scottish minister and author who wrote several books on theology and religious topics. Another famous McNeill was Sir John McNeill (1795-1883), a British colonial administrator who served as the Governor of the British West Indies and the Bahamas.

Other notable McNeills throughout history include:

1. Don McNeill (1907-1996), an American radio personality and host of the popular radio show "The Breakfast Club". 2. Hector McNeill (1668-1718), a Scottish poet and songwriter known for his collection of poems titled "The Pastoral". 3. Malcolm McNeill (1887-1969), a Scottish rugby union player who played for Scotland in the early 20th century. 4. William McNeill (1923-2016), an American historian and author best known for his book "The Rise of the West: A History of the Human Community". 5. Don McNeill (1930-2018), an American professional basketball player who played for the Boston Celtics and the Detroit Pistons in the 1950s.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

Back to top

Mcneill families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Mcneill 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. Lancashire leads with 29 Mcneills recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.88x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 29 2.88x
Middlesex 13 1.53x
Sussex 12 8.39x
Cumberland 10 13.69x
Yorkshire 5 0.59x
Gloucestershire 4 2.40x
Leicestershire 4 4.25x
Durham 3 1.19x
Hampshire 2 1.15x
Kent 2 0.69x
Berkshire 1 1.57x
Hertfordshire 1 1.71x
Northumberland 1 0.79x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Liverpool in Lancashire leads with 10 Mcneills recorded in 1881 and an index of 16.35x.

Place Total Index
Liverpool 10 16.35x
Hove 7 111.47x
Limehouse London 7 75.11x
Hulme 6 28.54x
St George Hanover 5 45.13x
Toxteth Park 5 14.66x
Whitehaven 5 128.53x
Bootle Cum Linacre 4 50.00x
Leicester St Mary 4 52.63x
Penrith 4 148.15x
Preston 4 160.00x
Bilton Cum Harrogate 3 104.17x
Bishopwearmouth 3 13.84x
Aldershot 2 34.31x
Bristol St Paul In 2 45.15x
Broughton In Salford 2 21.72x
Clifton 2 23.78x
Arthuret 1 131.58x
Bradfield 1 30.86x
Brighton 1 3.46x
Chatham 1 12.55x
Everton 1 3.12x
Hampstead London 1 7.56x
Headingley Cum Burley 1 18.48x
Hitchin 1 37.88x
Jesmond 1 56.18x
Radcliffe 1 20.62x
Sandhurst 1 81.30x
Walmer 1 79.37x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 11
Agnes 2
Bridget 2
Ellen 2
Isabella 2
Margaret 2
Ada 1
Ann 1
Annabella 1
Bala 1
Caroline 1
Catherine 1
Cathrine 1
Charlott 1
Eliza 1
Elizabeth 1
Ellen. 1
Georgiann 1
Infant 1
Jennie 1
Johan 1
Leah 1
Louisa 1
Louise 1
Sarah 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 8
James 6
William 4
Duncan 3
Robert 3
George 2
Hugh 2
Patrick 2
Samuel 2
Thomas 2
Allan 1
Auther 1
Charles 1
Chas.A. 1
Hector 1
Henry 1
Malcolm 1
Michael 1
Peter 1
R.Buskin 1
Roger 1
Stanney 1
Walter 1

FAQ

Mcneill surname: questions and answers

How common was the Mcneill surname in 1881?

In 1881, 2,202 people were recorded with the Mcneill surname. That placed it at #2,013 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Mcneill surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 6,194 in 2016. That gives Mcneill a modern rank of #1,089.

What does the Mcneill surname mean?

A Scottish and Irish surname derived from the Gaelic "Mac Néill," meaning "son of Neil" or "descendant of Neil."

What does the Mcneill map show?

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