NameCensus.

UK surname

Mcternan

An Irish surname referring to someone from County Donegal.

In the 1881 census there were 59 people recorded with the Mcternan surname, ranking it #25,281 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 392, ranked #12,052, up from #25,281 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Hawick and Wilton, Govan Combination and Edinburgh. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Wakefield, Rossendale and Herefordshire.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Mcternan is 397 in 2015. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 564.4%.

1881 census count

59

Ranked #25,281

Modern count

392

2016, ranked #12,052

Peak year

2015

397 bearers

Map years

4

1901 to 2016

Key insights

  • Mcternan had 59 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #25,281 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 392 in 2016, ranked #12,052.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 108 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Mcternan surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Mcternan surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Mcternan 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 12 #31,134
1861 historical 32 #29,944
1881 historical 59 #25,281
1891 historical 82 #26,494
1901 historical 108 #21,836
1911 historical 74 #25,423
1997 modern 362 #11,866
1998 modern 371 #12,027
1999 modern 390 #11,660
2000 modern 376 #11,928
2001 modern 365 #12,014
2002 modern 361 #12,337
2003 modern 333 #12,875
2004 modern 330 #12,994
2005 modern 326 #13,045
2006 modern 340 #12,722
2007 modern 345 #12,714
2008 modern 342 #12,933
2009 modern 353 #12,894
2010 modern 367 #12,775
2011 modern 374 #12,464
2012 modern 370 #12,417
2013 modern 384 #12,295
2014 modern 395 #12,125
2015 modern 397 #11,973
2016 modern 392 #12,052

Geography

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Where Mcternans are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Hawick and Wilton, Govan Combination, Edinburgh, Wakefield and Stranton. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Wakefield, Rossendale, Herefordshire and Johnstone North East. 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 Hawick and Wilton Roxburgh
2 Govan Combination Lanark
3 Edinburgh Edinburgh
4 Wakefield Yorkshire, West Riding
5 Stranton Durham

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Wakefield 008 Wakefield
2 Rossendale 010 Rossendale
3 Rossendale 003 Rossendale
4 Herefordshire 018 Herefordshire, County of
5 Johnstone North East Renfrewshire

Forenames

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First names often paired with Mcternan

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Mcternan

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Mcternan, 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 Mcternan surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Mcternan 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

The Greater London Mix

Group

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Mcternan 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

Mcternan is most concentrated in decile 10 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier 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.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Mcternan falls in decile 4 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.

4
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

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

10
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - Irish

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

Meaning and origin of Mcternan

The surname McTernan is of Irish origin, specifically from the Gaelic Mac Tighearnáin, meaning "son of the lord" or "son of the landlord." This name dates back to the medieval period in Ireland, particularly in the northern counties of Ulster.

In the Irish language, the prefix "Mac" denotes "son of," and the root word "Tighearnáin" is derived from the Old Irish word "tighearna," meaning "lord" or "master." The name likely originated as a descriptive surname, indicating that the bearer's ancestor was a landowner or held a position of authority.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Annals of Ulster, a chronicle of medieval Irish history, where a certain Muiredach McTernan is mentioned in the year 1176. This entry suggests that the surname was already established by the 12th century.

During the 16th and 17th centuries, the McTernan family held lands in County Tyrone, particularly around the areas of Dungannon and Omagh. Prominent members of the family included Brian McTernan, who was involved in the Irish Rebellion of 1641, and Phelim McTernan, a Catholic priest and historian who lived in the late 17th century.

In the 18th century, a notable figure with this surname was Patrick McTernan, a Catholic bishop of Clogher, who was born in 1720 and died in 1792. He played a significant role in the preservation of Catholic education during the Penal Laws in Ireland.

Another historical figure was John McTernan, born in 1852 in County Tyrone, who emigrated to the United States and became a prominent labor leader and politician in Philadelphia. He was involved in various labor movements and served as a member of the Pennsylvania State House of Representatives.

In the 20th century, one of the most well-known individuals with the surname was John McTernan, a British political strategist and commentator. He served as a key adviser to former Prime Minister Tony Blair and played a crucial role in the Labour Party's election campaigns.

While the surname McTernan is predominantly found in Ireland, particularly in Ulster, it has also spread to other parts of the world due to Irish emigration. However, it remains a distinctly Irish name with a rich historical background rooted in the Gaelic language and the medieval period of Ireland.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Mcternan surname: questions and answers

How common was the Mcternan surname in 1881?

In 1881, 59 people were recorded with the Mcternan surname. That placed it at #25,281 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Mcternan surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 392 in 2016. That gives Mcternan a modern rank of #12,052.

What does the Mcternan surname mean?

An Irish surname referring to someone from County Donegal.

What does the Mcternan map show?

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