NameCensus.

UK surname

Mcrobie

A Scottish surname derived from the Gaelic McRuaidhrí, meaning son of Ruaidhrí, a personal name derived from ruadh ("red").

In the 1881 census there were 122 people recorded with the Mcrobie surname, ranking it #17,602 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 129, ranked #26,270, down from #17,602 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Kincardine O'Neil, Anstruther Easter and Wester and Selkirk. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Gateshead, Barnton, Cammo and Cramond South and Forres South West and Mannachie.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Mcrobie is 178 in 1851. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 5.7%.

1881 census count

122

Ranked #17,602

Modern count

129

2016, ranked #26,270

Peak year

1851

178 bearers

Map years

8

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Mcrobie had 122 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #17,602 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 129 in 2016, ranked #26,270.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 178 in 1851.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Mcrobie surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Mcrobie surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Mcrobie 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 178 #11,397
1861 historical 175 #13,409
1881 historical 122 #17,602
1891 historical 111 #22,421
1901 historical 115 #21,050
1911 historical 62 #26,622
1997 modern 131 #22,927
1998 modern 145 #22,139
1999 modern 138 #22,983
2000 modern 142 #22,544
2001 modern 132 #23,230
2002 modern 130 #23,903
2003 modern 130 #23,672
2004 modern 129 #24,019
2005 modern 137 #23,110
2006 modern 139 #23,044
2007 modern 132 #24,166
2008 modern 125 #25,249
2009 modern 128 #25,427
2010 modern 128 #26,036
2011 modern 129 #25,673
2012 modern 125 #26,298
2013 modern 127 #26,452
2014 modern 123 #27,206
2015 modern 128 #26,356
2016 modern 129 #26,270

Geography

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Where Mcrobies are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Kincardine O'Neil, Anstruther Easter and Wester, Selkirk, Aberdour and Edinburgh. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Gateshead, Barnton, Cammo and Cramond South, Forres South West and Mannachie and Isle of Anglesey. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Some modern areas include a three-digit suffix, such as Leeds 110. The suffix is a small-area code, so it stays in the table while the prose uses the plain place name.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 Kincardine O'Neil Aberdeen
2 Anstruther Easter and Wester Fife
3 Selkirk Selkirk
4 Aberdour Aberdeen
5 Edinburgh Edinburgh

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Gateshead 007 Gateshead
2 Gateshead 011 Gateshead
3 Barnton, Cammo and Cramond South City of Edinburgh
4 Forres South West and Mannachie Moray
5 Isle of Anglesey 005 Isle of Anglesey

Forenames

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First names often paired with Mcrobie

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Mcrobie

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

Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities

Group

Rural Amenity

Nationally, the Mcrobie surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Mcrobie household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

This Group comprises older parents or retirees, with no resident dependent children, and with the lowest residential densities in this Supergroup. Predominantly UK-born, residents typically live in detached houses, although others do live in semi-detached and terraced properties. The level of multiple car ownership is the highest in this Supergroup. Most houses are owner occupied although social renting is also present. Many concentrations occur in high amenity rural locations, such as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Wider pattern

Pervasive throughout the UK, members of this Supergroup typically own (or are buying) their detached, semi-detached or terraced homes. They are also typically educated to A Level/Highers or degree level and work in skilled or professional occupations. Typically born in the UK, some families have children, although the median adult age is above 45 and some property has become under-occupied after children have left home. This Supergroup is pervasive not only in suburban locations, but also in neighbourhoods at or beyond the edge of cities that adjoin rural parts of the country.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Central Connected Professionals and Managers

Group

Senior Professionals

Within London, Mcrobie is most associated with areas classed as Senior Professionals, part of Central Connected Professionals and Managers. 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

These very central neighbourhoods house residents whose ages are more skewed towards older age cohorts than elsewhere in the Supergroup. Few households have young children. Rates of illness are low. Indian ethnicity is rare compared to the Supergroup mean. Property under occupation is more common, despite the centrality of neighbourhoods, and more residents live in communal establishments than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

Adult residents of these neighbourhoods are typically aged 25 to 44, working full-time in professional, managerial or associate professional occupations. There are few families with dependent children. The predominantly Inner London neighbourhoods have an international character, including many residents born elsewhere in Europe alongside high numbers of individuals identifying as of Chinese ethnicity. Many individuals are never married, childless and/or living alone. Above average numbers of individuals, likely to be full-time students, live in communal establishments. Elsewhere, privately rented flats are the dominant housing type. Residents of these areas are well-qualified, with a significant number holding Level 4 or above qualifications. There is a correspondingly high level of individuals employed full-time in professional, managerial and associated professional or technical occupations. Employing industries are financial, real estate, professional, administration, and, to a lesser degree, transport and communications. Unemployment is uncommon.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Mcrobie 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

Mcrobie falls in decile 6 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname near the middle of the scale.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

6
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Mcrobie is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 60-70 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

9
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Mcrobie

The surname McRobie has its origins in the Scottish Highlands, dating back to the 12th century. It is derived from the Gaelic words "mac" meaning "son of" and "Robie," which is a diminutive form of the personal name Robert. This name was likely given to a son of a man named Robert, indicating his paternal lineage.

One of the earliest recorded mentions of the surname McRobie can be found in the Exchequer Rolls of Scotland from the year 1264, where it appears as "MacRoby." This document contains records of financial transactions and payments made to individuals during that time period.

The McRobie name is closely tied to the region of Argyll, which was historically a part of the Kingdom of Dalriada. This area encompassed parts of what is now western Scotland and Northern Ireland. The name is particularly associated with the Isle of Islay, where it is believed to have originated.

In the 16th century, a notable bearer of the McRobie surname was Donald McRobie, who was a prominent merchant and landowner in the town of Bowmore on the Isle of Islay. He was born around 1520 and played a significant role in the local community.

Another historically significant figure with this surname was Archibald McRobie, born in 1683 in Campbeltown, Argyll. He was a renowned scholar and author, known for his work on Scottish history and literature.

During the 18th century, the McRobie name gained recognition with John McRobie, a successful shipbuilder from Port Glasgow. He was born in 1732 and his shipyard contributed greatly to the local economy and maritime industry.

In the 19th century, Robert McRobie, born in 1822 in Islay, made a name for himself as a prominent figure in the whisky distilling industry. He founded the Lagavulin Distillery, which remains one of the most respected and iconic Islay whisky brands to this day.

Another notable individual bearing the McRobie surname was Mary McRobie, born in 1855 in Argyll. She was a pioneering educator and advocate for women's rights, working tirelessly to improve educational opportunities for girls in Scotland.

While the surname McRobie is relatively uncommon outside of Scotland, it has a rich history and cultural significance, deeply rooted in the rugged landscapes and traditions of the Scottish Highlands.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Mcrobie families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Mcrobie 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 10 Mcrobies recorded in 1881 and an index of 6.18x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 10 6.18x
Middlesex 3 2.20x
Yorkshire 1 0.74x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Everton in Lancashire leads with 10 Mcrobies recorded in 1881 and an index of 193.80x.

Place Total Index
Everton 10 193.80x
St Gilesin Fields 3 3750.00x
Scarborough 1 81.30x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Agnes 1
Christian 1
Emily 1
Louisa 1
Margaret 1
Maria 1
Mary 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
James 2
Albert 1
Ernest 1
Frederick 1
Lambert 1
Wm.Howarth 1

Top occupations

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 Mcrobie households.

FAQ

Mcrobie surname: questions and answers

How common was the Mcrobie surname in 1881?

In 1881, 122 people were recorded with the Mcrobie surname. That placed it at #17,602 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Mcrobie surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 129 in 2016. That gives Mcrobie a modern rank of #26,270.

What does the Mcrobie surname mean?

A Scottish surname derived from the Gaelic McRuaidhrí, meaning son of Ruaidhrí, a personal name derived from ruadh ("red").

What does the Mcrobie map show?

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