NameCensus.

UK surname

Mcsparron

A Scottish surname derived from the Gaelic personal name MacParlan or MacFarlane.

In the 1881 census there were 6 people recorded with the Mcsparron surname, ranking it #32,926 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 103, ranked #30,515, up from #32,926 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Pembrokeshire and Northumberland.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Mcsparron is 113 in 2000. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 1616.7%.

1881 census count

6

Ranked #32,926

Modern count

103

2016, ranked #30,515

Peak year

2000

113 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Mcsparron had 6 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #32,926 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 103 in 2016, ranked #30,515.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 33 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established but Challenged.

Mcsparron surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Mcsparron surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Mcsparron 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 8 #31,867
1861 historical 11 #32,452
1881 historical 6 #32,926
1891 historical 26 #32,189
1901 historical 15 #32,383
1911 historical 33 #29,703
1997 modern 97 #27,342
1998 modern 107 #26,555
1999 modern 106 #26,885
2000 modern 113 #25,843
2001 modern 105 #26,620
2002 modern 101 #27,766
2003 modern 97 #28,217
2004 modern 101 #27,813
2005 modern 96 #28,671
2006 modern 102 #27,926
2007 modern 101 #28,505
2008 modern 101 #28,825
2009 modern 101 #29,445
2010 modern 102 #29,930
2011 modern 101 #29,938
2012 modern 95 #31,107
2013 modern 99 #30,934
2014 modern 103 #30,539
2015 modern 100 #31,005
2016 modern 103 #30,515

Geography

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Where Mcsparrons are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around No data. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Pembrokeshire and Northumberland. 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 No data No data

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Pembrokeshire 012 Pembrokeshire
2 Northumberland 014 Northumberland
3 Northumberland 029 Northumberland
4 Pembrokeshire 010 Pembrokeshire
5 Northumberland 012 Northumberland

Forenames

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First names often paired with Mcsparron

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

Historical female names

No Forenames Found

Historical male names

No Forenames Found

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Mcsparron

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Mcsparron, 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 Mcsparron surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Established but Challenged, within Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce. This does not mean every Mcsparron 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

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Mcsparron is most associated with areas classed as Skilled Trades and Construction 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

These scattered, peripheral and often low residential density neighbourhoods house more workers in skilled trades and construction. Few households rent social housing and there are few students. Multiple car ownership is higher than the Supergroup average, perhaps because of poorer public transport connectivity. Incidence of mixed or multiple ethnicity is below the Supergroup average, and the absence of individuals identifying as Pakistani or Other Asian groups is also less pronounced. Flatted accommodation is less dominant than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

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

Mcsparron is most concentrated in decile 6 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname near the middle of the scale.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

6
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Mcsparron falls in decile 2 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.

2
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Mcsparron 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 - Irish

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

Meaning and origin of Mcsparron

The surname McSparron originates from Ireland, specifically the northern regions, particularly in County Antrim and County Down. The surname likely began to appear in the 17th century, a period known for significant Scottish and Irish interactions. McSparron is an Anglicized form of the Gaelic patronymic name Mac Spearain, which translates to "son of Spearan." The name Spearan itself is derived from the Gaelic word "spear," meaning "spear" or "javelin," suggesting that the original bearer might have been a warrior or someone associated with weaponry.

The areas where the surname McSparron is most commonly found correspond to regions where Gaelic clans and septs were prevalent. Early records indicate that the name was often associated with settlers and clans of Scottish origin who had migrated to Ulster during the Plantation period. The surname appears in several historical manuscripts and local records, showing its integration into the Gaelic-Irish context.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name McSparron appears in the Hearth Money Rolls of County Antrim in 1669. These tax records were used to document households and indicate that families with this surname were established in the region by this time. The name also appears in the 1740 Protestant Householders' lists, another set of tax records, indicating continued presence in the same areas.

A notable figure bearing the surname is James McSparron, born in 1825 and known for his participation in the Irish nationalist movements of the 19th century. James was instrumental in advocating for Irish self-governance and left a significant mark on local Irish politics. Another key figure is Reverend William McSparron, born in 1789, who was a Presbyterian minister and contributed significantly to the religious life in County Down.

Margaret McSparron, born in 1834, is another prominent individual, known for her literary contributions and as a voice for women's rights in Ireland. Her writings often discussed the social dynamics and hardships of Irish rural life, providing valuable insight into the period's societal structure. Samuel McSparron, born in 1861, made notable contributions to the agricultural advancements in Northern Ireland, advocating for modern farming techniques and infrastructure improvements.

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Alex McSparron, born in 1882, became well-known as an industrial entrepreneur who established several successful enterprises in Belfast, greatly impacting the local economy and providing employment during a crucial industrial phase.

The surname McSparron, with its roots deeply embedded in Gaelic and Irish history, has been carried by individuals who have significantly influenced various aspects of society from politics and religion to literature and industry. Through these historical records and notable individuals, we see how the name has traversed time, maintaining its presence and imprint on the region.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Mcsparron surname: questions and answers

How common was the Mcsparron surname in 1881?

In 1881, 6 people were recorded with the Mcsparron surname. That placed it at #32,926 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Mcsparron surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 103 in 2016. That gives Mcsparron a modern rank of #30,515.

What does the Mcsparron surname mean?

A Scottish surname derived from the Gaelic personal name MacParlan or MacFarlane.

What does the Mcsparron map show?

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