UK surname
A Scottish surname derived from the Gaelic name Mac Raith meaning "son of grace" or "son of fortitude".
In the 1881 census there were 66 people recorded with the Mcrea surname, ranking it #24,256 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 27, ranked #36,189, down from #24,256 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Urquhart, Workington (Workington), Clossocks and Edinburgh. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Mcrea is 143 in 1851. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 59.1%.
1881 census count
66
Ranked #24,256
Modern count
27
2016, ranked #36,189
Peak year
1851
143 bearers
Map years
2
1851 to 1861
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Mcrea surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Mcrea 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 | 143 | #13,343 |
| 1861 | historical | 131 | #17,052 |
| 1881 | historical | 66 | #24,256 |
| 1891 | historical | 70 | #28,073 |
| 1901 | historical | 58 | #27,724 |
| 1911 | historical | 30 | #30,073 |
| 1997 | modern | 31 | #34,582 |
| 1998 | modern | 35 | #34,344 |
| 1999 | modern | 32 | #34,717 |
| 2000 | modern | 29 | #34,976 |
| 2001 | modern | 26 | #35,152 |
| 2002 | modern | 34 | #34,634 |
| 2003 | modern | 26 | #35,371 |
| 2004 | modern | 23 | #35,786 |
| 2005 | modern | 24 | #35,827 |
| 2006 | modern | 28 | #35,665 |
| 2007 | modern | 28 | #35,801 |
| 2008 | modern | 28 | #35,875 |
| 2009 | modern | 26 | #36,111 |
| 2010 | modern | 25 | #36,273 |
| 2011 | modern | 29 | #36,004 |
| 2012 | modern | 30 | #35,929 |
| 2013 | modern | 27 | #36,150 |
| 2014 | modern | 27 | #36,180 |
| 2015 | modern | 25 | #36,297 |
| 2016 | modern | 27 | #36,189 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Urquhart, Workington (Workington), Clossocks, Edinburgh, Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry and Thurso. 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 | Urquhart | Elgin |
| 2 | Workington (Workington), Clossocks | Cumberland |
| 3 | Edinburgh | Edinburgh |
| 4 | Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry | Forfar |
| 5 | Thurso | Caithness |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Mcrea 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 Mcrea, 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 Mcrea surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Mcrea 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, Mcrea 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 Mcrea is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Mcrea, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname McRea is of Scottish origin, derived from the Gaelic personal name Raghnall, meaning "ruler's counsellor." It is a variant of the more common Scottish surname McRae.
The name first appeared in records from the 13th century in the Scottish Highlands, particularly in the region of Kintail, Ross-shire. It is believed to have originated as a clan name, with various branches of the clan settling in different areas of the Highlands.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Exchequer Rolls of Scotland from 1264, where a person named Gillecrist MacRath is mentioned. This is likely an early spelling variation of the name McRea.
In the 16th century, the McRea clan was involved in feuds with neighboring clans, such as the Mackenzies and the MacDonalds. During this time, the name appeared in various chronicles and historical records, often in connection with battles and disputes over land and resources.
One notable bearer of the McRea surname was Finlay McRae (c. 1595-1671), a Scottish Gaelic poet and warrior from Kintail. He is known for his poetic works, which provide insights into the culture and life of the Scottish Highlands during that period.
Another prominent figure was John McRae (1835-1900), a Scottish-Canadian farmer and politician who served as the 12th Premier of Nova Scotia from 1890 to 1896.
In the United States, one of the earliest recorded instances of the McRea surname can be found in the 18th century, with the arrival of Scottish immigrants to the American colonies. One such immigrant was John McRea (1724-1804), a Scottish-born merchant and landowner who settled in Pennsylvania.
A notable American bearer of the name was Brigadier General Samuel McRee (1789-1845), a military officer who served in the War of 1812 and later became a planter and politician in North Carolina.
Throughout history, the McRea surname has also been associated with various place names in Scotland, such as McRae's Point in Kintail and McRea's Burn, a stream in the Scottish Borders.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Mcrea 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. Surrey leads with 1 Mcreas recorded in 1881 and an index of 21.28x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Surrey | 1 | 21.28x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Clapham in Surrey leads with 1 Mcreas recorded in 1881 and an index of 833.33x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Clapham | 1 | 833.33x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Mcrea surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
| Name | Count |
|---|---|
| Elizabeth | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 66 people were recorded with the Mcrea surname. That placed it at #24,256 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 27 in 2016. That gives Mcrea a modern rank of #36,189.
A Scottish surname derived from the Gaelic name Mac Raith meaning "son of grace" or "son of fortitude".
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Mcrea 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.